Moving to Singapore from Brunei on a Budget: Quick Overview
If you are moving to Singapore from Brunei on a budget, focus on three things: choosing an affordable visa and work route, planning your cost of living in advance, and using a trusted platform like Homejourney to compare rental options safely before you arrive. Singapore is more expensive than Brunei, but with careful planning of housing, transport and daily expenses, Bruneian expats can relocate comfortably while still saving money.
This guide is a focused cluster in Homejourney’s broader Singapore relocation pillar, zooming in on the Moving to Singapore from Brunei Budget : Affordable: Expat Guide angle. It is written for Bruneians and Brunei-based expats who want to save money, keep a strong Brunei budget mindset, and still enjoy Singapore’s safety, career opportunities, and high-quality lifestyle.
Life in Brunei vs Singapore: What Changes on a Budget?
If you are already used to a cheap Brunei lifestyle with no income tax, subsidised fuel and relatively low housing costs, Singapore will feel noticeably more expensive. Brunei’s cost of living index is much lower than Singapore’s; in 2025, Singapore scores about 79.1 while Brunei is around 44.4 on Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index, meaning day-to-day expenses in Singapore can be almost double in many categories.[2][1]
In Brunei, an expat can often live reasonably on around US$1,500–2,000 per month excluding rent.[1] In Singapore, a single person’s basic monthly expenses average about S$1,513 before rent, and a family of four spends about S$5,467 before rent.[2] Rent is usually the largest jump when moving from Brunei to Singapore, so budgeting your accommodation is crucial.
Despite the higher costs, many Bruneians choose Singapore for its world-class safety, strong rule of law, English-speaking environment, and regional job opportunities. Both countries are peaceful, majority-Muslim friendly, and have compact cities, but Singapore is far more urban, fast-paced and dense, with an extensive MRT network instead of car-dependent commuting.
If you are used to Bandar Seri Begawan’s calm, think of neighbourhoods like Pasir Ris, Sengkang or Bukit Panjang in Singapore: more residential, green, and quieter than the CBD, yet with excellent amenities and MRT or LRT access. These areas are often better suited for a Brunei budget relocation than prime districts like Orchard or Marina Bay.
Relocating to Singapore from Brunei: Visas, Jobs and Budget Planning
Visa and Work Permit Options for Bruneians
Most Bruneians enter Singapore visa-free for short visits, but for work or long-term stay, you will need a valid pass from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Common options include the Employment Pass (EP) for professionals and S Pass for mid-skilled workers; both are tied to an employer and come with qualifying salary and education criteria set by MOM. Always verify current rules on official MOM and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) websites before applying, as requirements change over time.
If you are moving first to job-hunt, budget for at least three to six months of living expenses plus rental deposits. Homejourney recommends securing an employment offer before signing a long-term lease, or starting with a short-term serviced apartment or co-living space while you finalise your work pass. This reduces the risk of being locked into a long lease if your pass is delayed or rejected.
Employment Opportunities and Sectors
Singapore’s job market is competitive but offers strong prospects in finance, technology, logistics, healthcare, education, and oil & gas services—sectors that may feel familiar if you are coming from Brunei’s energy-linked economy. The city’s role as a regional HQ hub means many roles require English and sometimes Mandarin or Bahasa Melayu, which many Bruneians already speak.
To keep relocation costs low, look for employers that offer relocation support, temporary housing, or at least a settling-in allowance. If you are moving as a self-sponsored professional or business owner, factor in company incorporation, licensing and personal tax advice; it is worth consulting a qualified tax adviser for cross-border issues rather than relying on informal online estimates.
Cost of Living: Brunei vs Singapore
Key budget differences when you move from Brunei to Singapore include:
- Rent: In Brunei, a one-bedroom city-centre apartment might cost around BND 1,100, with cheaper options outside the centre.[8] In Singapore, a one-bedroom unit can range from S$1,800 to S$5,000 per month, depending on location.[2]
- Transport: Car ownership is common in Brunei, but very expensive in Singapore due to the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system, where a car can cost S$120,000–150,000 including COE and taxes.[2] For a budget-minded Bruneian, using public transport (MRT and buses at about S$0.92–2.17 per trip) is usually the smartest move.[2]
- Groceries and eating out: Hawker centre meals from S$4–7 can still feel reasonable compared to mid-range restaurants in Brunei at around US$20 per person.[1] Learning where the cheaper food courts are near your home and office is a big part of the “save money Brunei mindset” in Singapore.
- Utilities and internet: Expect around S$150–300 per month for utilities and S$40–90 for internet and mobile plans, depending on usage and household size.[6][2]
For Bruneians used to budget travel and careful spending, the strategy is to treat your first six to twelve months in Singapore as a financial adjustment period: track every category, cut back on taxis and frequent restaurant meals, and prioritise rental value over prestige location.
Property in Singapore for Expats from Brunei
What Foreigners Can Buy: Key Rules
Singapore strictly regulates foreign property ownership through the Residential Property Act and policies from agencies such as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Singapore Land Authority. In general, non-residents (including Bruneians without Permanent Resident status) can freely purchase private condominiums and strata-titled apartments but must seek approval to buy landed residential properties. Public Housing Development Board (HDB) flats are subsidised housing and normally only available to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents for purchase, not to foreign buyers.[2]
If you are not sure whether a property type is restricted, it is safer to cross-check with URA’s or SLA’s official guidelines or engage a licensed property agent. Homejourney only works with verified listings and licensed professionals to help maintain a safe, trusted environment for overseas buyers.
ABSD for Bruneians and Other Foreigners
In addition to Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), foreign buyers typically pay an Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential property purchases in Singapore. ABSD rates and exemptions change over time and differ for Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents, and foreigners, so you should always refer to the latest Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) tables before committing to a purchase.
Because ABSD can significantly increase your upfront costs, many Bruneians choose to rent first and only buy after they understand the market better. To explore current new launches and resale options safely, you can browse Homejourney’s verified project database at Projects Directory , which aggregates market data in one place.
Popular Neighbourhoods for Bruneian Expats (on a Budget)
If you are moving from a quieter part of Brunei and want to keep costs manageable, consider these budget-friendlier zones:
- North-East (Sengkang, Punggol, Hougang) – Newer HDB towns and condominiums, good for families, with LRT/MRT links and waterfront walks in Punggol.
- East (Pasir Ris, Tampines, Simei) – Family-friendly, near Changi Airport, with large malls and parks. Rents are usually lower than central areas while still offering strong amenities.
- West (Bukit Batok, Jurong East, Clementi) – Convenient if you work in Jurong Lake District or at western industrial/tech parks; more local, less touristy feel.
- City-fringe areas (Geylang, Aljunied, Lavender) – Some of the most price-competitive private rentals close to the city, but quality and surroundings vary; use Homejourney’s verified reviews and agent directory to avoid problematic blocks.
Use Homejourney’s property search at Property Search or Property Search to compare typical asking rents by neighbourhood, building age and distance to MRT. Because the platform prioritises user safety and transparency, each listing is checked and you can filter by budget to keep your Brunei budget on track.
