[![Image]() Meet Jobicy Copilot — free AI autofill for job applications + remote job alerts ›](#) Side-by-side city decision # Addis Ababa vs Medan. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Addis AbabaEthiopia1 VS MedanIndonesia4 $910Addis Ababa monthly budget $575Medan monthly budget 24 MbpsAddis Ababa internet 55 MbpsMedan internet Decision summary Medan Medan leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Medan Speed Fastest internet Medan Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Medan Air Cleanest air Medan Walk Most walkable Addis Ababa Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Addis Ababa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/ethiopia/addis-ababa.md) Ethiopia 1/6 Budget$910 Internet24 Mbps Vibe6/10 [Medan](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/medan.md) Indonesia 4/6 Budget$575 Internet55 Mbps Vibe6/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $910 $575 1-bed center rent $550 $260 Coworking desk $120 $95 Local meal $4.5 $1.7 Cappuccino $1.7 $2.2 Gym membership $35 $24 Transport budget $30 $45 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 24 Mbps 55 Mbps Nomad vibe 6/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 45/100 58/100 Air quality 38/100 57/100 Walkability 5/10 4/10 Female safety 5/10 5/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 2/10 3/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Good English proficiency Average Basic Climate type Subtropical highland Tropical rainforest Best time to visit Oct - Feb Jun - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Addis Ababa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/ethiopia/addis-ababa.md) Ethiopia → ### Strengths * Relatively affordable rent and everyday dining * Excellent Ethiopian coffee culture * Mild highland temperatures for much of the year * Rich history, music, and food scene * Convenient rides are inexpensive * Strong regional flight connections through Ethiopian Airlines ### Trade-offs * Internet speeds and reliability can be inconsistent * Power cuts and mobile-network disruptions occur * Traffic is congested and pedestrian infrastructure is uneven * Tap water is not safe to drink * Card acceptance remains limited outside major businesses * LGBTQ+ travelers face serious legal and social risks ### Common visa routes * Tourist eVisa * Business Visa * Conference Visa [Medan](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/medan.md) Indonesia → ### Strengths * Very affordable local food and everyday services * Excellent gateway to Lake Toba and North Sumatra * Strong and varied Indonesian Chinese food scene * Reliable 4G and expanding fiber internet coverage * Modern malls, hospitals, and practical urban conveniences * Friendly local residents and a less touristy atmosphere ### Trade-offs * Traffic is heavy and road conditions can be chaotic * Sidewalks are inconsistent and walking is difficult * English is limited outside hotels and major malls * Heat, humidity, and sudden rain are year-round realities * Coworking and nomad community options are limited * Tap water is not safe to drink ### Common visa routes * Visa on Arrival for eligible nationalities * B211A Visit Visa * E33G Remote Worker Visa Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.