Brunei vs Vietnam
Vietnam costs roughly 67% less than Brunei, though Brunei scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Vietnam is approximately 67% less expensive than Brunei based on cost of living including rent. This makes Vietnam a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Vietnam has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 59.2, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Vietnam 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 Vietnam
A 1BR near central Hanoi or Saigon runs $400.6, less than half typical US suburban rent, while monthly costs excluding rent sit near $430.8, meaning a couple can live comfortably around this budget level. Fast internet at 343.05 Mbps supports remote work, and safety metrics beat most Southeast Asian peers. The dealbreaker: a digital nomad visa exists (minimum $600/month remote-work-allowed income), but no retirement visa, so long-term legal residency stays messy regardless of your budget.
$2,169/mo
Not sure which Vietnam visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Brunei | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 136.2 +40.4 | 95.8 |
| Healthcare Index | 62.7 +1.4 | 61.3 |
| Safety Index | 78.4 +19.2 | 59.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 44.4 | 26.6 +17.8 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $823.1 | $430.8 +392.3 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,024.2 | $1,554.9 +1,469.3 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $767.6 | $400.6 +367 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $529.19 | $263.55 +265.64 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,143.69 | $846.6 +297.09 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $730.35 | $547.09 +183.26 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 85.53 Mbps | 343.05 Mbps +257.5 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Vietnam. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Vietnam. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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