Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Brunei

Thailand
Based on our comparison, Bandar Seri Begawan wins 5 out of 8 categories.Koh Samui wins 3 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Bandar Seri Begawan and Koh Samui, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Bandar Seri Begawan
$1,257/mo
Best Internet
Koh Samui
95 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Koh Samui
7.5/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Bandar Seri Begawan if budget is your top priority, or Koh Samui if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Bandar Seri Begawan and Koh Samui for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Bandar Seri Begawan offers a more affordable lifestyle at $1,257/month compared to Koh Samui's $1,325/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Koh Samui provides faster connectivity at 95 Mbps compared to Bandar Seri Begawan's 80 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 7.4/10, Koh Samui offers better security than Bandar Seri Begawan (7.2/10).
Overall: Koh Samui's NomadIQ score of 7.5/10 gives it an edge for remote workers.
Bandar Seri Begawan is 5% cheaper than Koh Samui.
Koh Samui has a higher safety score (7.4/10) compared to Bandar Seri Begawan (7.2/10).
7.2/10
Bandar Seri Begawan
7.4/10
Koh Samui
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Koh Samui offers faster internet at 95 Mbps vs 80 Mbps.
80 Mbps
Bandar Seri Begawan
95 Mbps
Koh Samui
Based on our analysis, Bandar Seri Begawan edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.
Bandar Seri Begawan: Best for budget-conscious expats
Koh Samui: Best for those prioritizing amenities
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