Brunei vs Philippines
Philippines costs roughly 54% less than Brunei, though Brunei scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Philippines is approximately 54% less expensive than Brunei based on cost of living including rent. This makes Philippines a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Philippines has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 56.9, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Philippines 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 Philippines
Retirees on fixed incomes near the $1,500/mo SRRV minimum get the best deal here: rent outside the center runs under $200 and English is widely spoken, easing daily friction. But that low cost sits against a -1.1 political stability score and only medium expat safety ratings, so this suits people who can tolerate some instability for cash savings. Bad fit: anyone needing top-tier healthcare or a guaranteed path to citizenship.
$2,147/mo
Not sure which Philippines visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Brunei | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 136.2 +39.3 | 96.9 |
| Healthcare Index | 62.7 | 67.3 +4.6 |
| Safety Index | 78.4 +21.5 | 56.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 44.4 | 28.8 +15.6 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $823.1 | $520.8 +302.3 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,024.2 | $1,854 +1,170.2 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $767.6 | $332.57 +435.03 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $529.19 | $186.21 +342.98 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,143.69 | $663.94 +479.75 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $730.35 | $362.86 +367.49 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 85.53 Mbps | 187.25 Mbps +101.7 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Philippines. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Philippines. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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