Brunei vs Indonesia
Indonesia costs roughly 80% less than Brunei, though Brunei scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Indonesia is approximately 80% less expensive than Brunei based on cost of living including rent. This makes Indonesia a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Indonesia has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 54, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Indonesia is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Brunei
A 1BR near the center runs $767.6, cheaper than most mid-size US cities, and the safety index of 78.4 beats nearly everywhere stateside. But Brunei offers no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and a difficult path to citizenship, making access difficult. This is a place to visit on a work contract, not a plan for retiring long-term.
$1,409/mo
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About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
$2,259/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Brunei | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 136.2 +33.8 | 102.4 |
| Healthcare Index | 62.7 +1.8 | 60.9 |
| Safety Index | 78.4 +24.4 | 54 |
| Cost of Living Index | 44.4 | 24.6 +19.8 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $823.1 | $429.7 +393.4 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,024.2 | $1,529 +1,495.2 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $767.6 | $311.05 +456.55 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $529.19 | $177.94 +351.25 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,143.69 | $835.58 +308.11 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $730.35 | $479.89 +250.46 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 85.53 Mbps +10.7 | 74.88 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Indonesia. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Indonesia. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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