Cost of Living: Australia vs Brunei

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Australia and Brunei.

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Australia is 86.0% more expensive than Brunei. The biggest difference is in Household Utilities, where costs are 231.3% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Brunei, you would spend about $186 in Australia for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Household Utilities 231.3%

Australia is 231.3% more expensive

Other Expenses 166.7%

Australia is 166.7% more expensive

Markets 114.2%

Australia is 114.2% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 86.0%

Australia is 86.0% more expensive than Brunei

Most Expensive Categories

  • Household Utilities +231.3%
  • Other Expenses +166.7%
  • Markets +114.2%

Is Australia cheaper than Brunei?

No, Brunei is cheaper than Australia

Overall, living costs in Brunei are 86.0% lower than in Australia.

Where Brunei is cheaper:

  • Household Utilities 231.3% cheaper
  • Other Expenses 166.7% cheaper
  • Markets 114.2% cheaper

Where Brunei is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 29.9% more expensive
  • Transportation 4.5% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 1.7% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Australia: 16.22 $ Brunei: 5.22 $
210.7% more expensive in Australia

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Australia: 1,381.57 $ Brunei: 766.17 $
80.3% more expensive in Australia

1 liter of milk

Australia: 1.53 $ Brunei: 2.33 $
34.3% cheaper in Australia

1 liter of gasoline

Australia: 1.18 $ Brunei: 0.39 $
202.6% more expensive in Australia

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Brunei is indeed cheaper than Australia. You would spend approximately 86.0% on living expenses by choosing Brunei over Australia. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

86.0%

Australia is 86.0% more expensive than Brunei

Restaurants

56.1%

Australia is 56.1% more expensive than Brunei in this category

Markets

114.2%

Australia is 114.2% more expensive than Brunei in this category

Other Expenses

166.7%

Australia is 166.7% more expensive than Brunei in this category

Transportation

4.5%

Australia is 4.5% cheaper than Brunei in this category

Household Utilities

231.3%

Australia is 231.3% more expensive than Brunei in this category

Mobile and Internet

29.9%

Australia is 29.9% cheaper than Brunei in this category

Sports And Leisure

40.3%

Australia is 40.3% more expensive than Brunei in this category

Childcare

28.7%

Australia is 28.7% more expensive than Brunei in this category

Clothing And Shoes

1.7%

Australia is 1.7% cheaper than Brunei in this category

Rent Per Month

88.6%

Australia is 88.6% more expensive than Brunei in this category

Property Prices

90.6%

Australia is 90.6% more expensive than Brunei in this category

Salaries And Financing

59.8%

Australia is 59.8% more expensive than Brunei in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Australia Brunei Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 16.22 $ 5.22 $ 210.7%
Australia is 210.7% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 77.88 $ 33.11 $ 135.2%
Australia is 135.2% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 9.73 $ 6.23 $ 56.2%
Australia is 56.2% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 3.48 $ 4.09 $ 14.9%
Australia is 14.9% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.62 $ 1.12 $ 133.9%
Australia is 133.9% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 2.16 $ 0.75 $ 188.0%
Australia is 188.0% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.51 $ 0.98 $ 54.1%
Australia is 54.1% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 5.69 $ 2.19 $ 159.8%
Australia is 159.8% more expensive
Imported Beer (330ml) 1.29 $ 10.61 $ 87.8%
Australia is 87.8% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 7.97 $ 16.95 $ 53.0%
Australia is 53.0% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.43 $ 2.02 $ 29.2%
Australia is 29.2% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.53 $ 2.33 $ 34.3%
Australia is 34.3% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.45 $ 1.96 $ 25.0%
Australia is 25.0% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 2.05 $ 2.06 $ 0.5%
Australia is 0.5% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 4.31 $ 2.43 $ 77.4%
Australia is 77.4% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 8.89 $ 15.59 $ 43.0%
Australia is 43.0% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 8.44 $ 7.25 $ 16.4%
Australia is 16.4% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 13.88 $ 18.54 $ 25.1%
Australia is 25.1% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 3.19 $ 3.92 $ 18.6%
Australia is 18.6% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 2.75 $ 3.27 $ 15.9%
Australia is 15.9% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 2.93 $ 3.70 $ 20.8%
Australia is 20.8% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 4.30 $ 3.77 $ 14.1%
Australia is 14.1% more expensive
Potatoes (1kg) 2.47 $ 2.21 $ 11.8%
Australia is 11.8% more expensive
Onions (1kg) 2.14 $ 2.47 $ 13.4%
Australia is 13.4% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 2.22 $ 4.69 $ 52.7%
Australia is 52.7% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 97.35 $ 0.00 $ N/A
Cigarettes (20 pack) 31.15 $ 11.68 $ 166.7%
Australia is 166.7% more expensive
Single Bus/Train Ticket 2.92 $ 0.78 $ 274.4%
Australia is 274.4% more expensive
Taxi Base Fare 3.89 $ 4.68 $ 16.9%
Australia is 16.9% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 1.88 $ 2.73 $ 31.1%
Australia is 31.1% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 37.90 $ 11.69 $ 224.2%
Australia is 224.2% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 1.18 $ 0.39 $ 202.6%
Australia is 202.6% more expensive
New Economy Car 28,829.12 $ 23,383.36 $ 23.3%
Australia is 23.3% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 22,658.59 $ 30,582.62 $ 25.9%
Australia is 25.9% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 175.90 $ 53.10 $ 231.3%
Australia is 231.3% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 26.66 $ 22.08 $ 20.7%
Australia is 20.7% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 52.98 $ 91.46 $ 42.1%
Australia is 42.1% cheaper
Gym Membership 47.43 $ 44.41 $ 6.8%
Australia is 6.8% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 16.59 $ 5.94 $ 179.3%
Australia is 179.3% more expensive
Movie Ticket 14.28 $ 5.45 $ 162.0%
Australia is 162.0% more expensive
Private Preschool (Full Day) 1,570.69 $ 172.90 $ 808.4%
Australia is 808.4% more expensive
International School (Yearly) 12,354.33 $ 10,646.53 $ 16.0%
Australia is 16.0% more expensive
1 Pair of Jeans 71.57 $ 83.11 $ 13.9%
Australia is 13.9% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 50.87 $ 65.45 $ 22.3%
Australia is 22.3% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 102.13 $ 100.22 $ 1.9%
Australia is 1.9% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 109.73 $ 91.29 $ 20.2%
Australia is 20.2% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,381.57 $ 766.17 $ 80.3%
Australia is 80.3% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,095.96 $ 519.42 $ 111.0%
Australia is 111.0% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 2,332.99 $ 1,313.37 $ 77.6%
Australia is 77.6% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,729.44 $ 868.13 $ 99.2%
Australia is 99.2% more expensive
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 6,794.53 $ 3,232.68 $ 110.2%
Australia is 110.2% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 5,084.33 $ 2,998.78 $ 69.5%
Australia is 69.5% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 3,619.71 $ 2,264.90 $ 59.8%
Australia is 59.8% more expensive
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 6.35 3.96 60.4%
Australia is 60.4% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Brunei. Enter your monthly expenses in Australia to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Australia and Brunei goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Australia vs Brunei

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Australia

  • Higher fuel costs indicate different transportation preferences.

Brunei

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Australia Cost of living in Brunei

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