Muara, a coastal town in Brunei, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern amenities. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or planning an extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Muara, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $3.15 on average, with a range between $2.23 and $4.45.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $25.97, with prices ranging from $17.08 to $62.99.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $5.2, with a range between $4.45 and $5.85.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer is priced at $1.86, imported beer at $2.23, cappuccino averages $3.07, and Coke/Pepsi costs between $0.74 and $0.89.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.34 and $4.23 per liter, averaging $1.69.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.89 and $3.71, with an average price of $1.89.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.41 to $2.96, averaging $2.29.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.6 to $3.71 per kg, while oranges range from $1.48 to $3.71 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.67 and $2.23 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.74 to $5.9 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.37 and $0.39 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $4.45, with a cost of $2.6 per km and $22.27 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $22,274.16 and $37,123.6, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $28,159.85 to $29,698.88.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Data not available.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Data not available.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Data not available.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Data not available.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - Data not available.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Data not available.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $33.41 and $74.25, averaging $55.44.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $44.55 to $74.25, with an average cost of $51.06.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 3 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$3.15
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$25.97
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$5.20
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.86
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.07
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.69
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.89
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.29
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.97
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$22.27
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.71
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$14.85
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.72
Apples (1kg)
$3.25
Oranges (1kg)
$3.71
Potato (1kg)
$1.54
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.53
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.29
Tomato (1kg)
$3.64
Banana (1kg)
$2.23
Onion (1kg)
$1.67
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$14.89
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.39
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$25,244.05
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.45
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.60
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.27
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$29,195.03
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$55.44
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$51.06
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$22.23
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.65
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$4.45
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.23
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$23.73
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$86.55
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$74.20
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$900.25
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
3.95%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$126.22
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$13,342.06
Muara Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Muara offers affordable dining options, with inexpensive meals costing as low as $2.23.

Grocery prices are moderate, with essentials like milk and bread being reasonably priced.

Transportation costs are low, particularly for gasoline, which is priced under $0.40 per liter.

Utilities are relatively inexpensive, making it easier to manage monthly expenses.

Conclusion

Overall, Muara presents a cost-effective living environment, especially in terms of dining and transportation.

While housing data is limited, the available information suggests that other living expenses are manageable.

Prospective residents can expect a balanced lifestyle with access to affordable amenities and services.