Side-by-side city decision # Barcelona vs Medan. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link BarcelonaSpain5/6 VS MedanIndonesia1/6 $2,678Barcelona monthly budget $575Medan monthly budget 260 MbpsBarcelona internet 55 MbpsMedan internet Decision summary Barcelona Barcelona leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Medan Speed Fastest internet Barcelona Vibe Best nomad vibe Barcelona Safety Highest safety Barcelona Air Cleanest air Barcelona Walk Most walkable Barcelona Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Barcelona](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/barcelona.md) Spain 5/6 Budget$2,678 Internet260 Mbps Vibe9/10 [Medan](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/medan.md) Indonesia 1/6 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 MetricBarcelonaMedan Total estimated budget $2,678 $575 1-bed center rent $1,850 $260 Coworking desk $310 $95 Local meal $16.5 $1.7 Cappuccino $2.5 $2.2 Gym membership $55 $24 Transport budget $28 $45 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricBarcelonaMedan Internet speed 260 Mbps 55 Mbps Nomad vibe 9/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricBarcelonaMedan Safety index 62/100 58/100 Air quality 72/100 57/100 Walkability 10/10 4/10 Female safety 7/10 5/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 10/10 3/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricBarcelonaMedan Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Good Basic Climate type Mediterranean Tropical rainforest Best time to visit Apr - Jun 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. [Barcelona](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/barcelona.md) Spain → ### Strengths * Exceptional walkability, cycling infrastructure, and public transport * Large international and remote-worker community * Mediterranean beaches alongside a major cultural city * Fast fiber internet and abundant coworking options * Excellent food, healthcare, and airport connections * Very LGBTQ+-friendly social scene ### Trade-offs * High and rapidly rising rents * Pickpocketing is common in tourist-heavy areas * Summer heat, humidity, and crowds can be intense * Apartment searches are competitive and documentation-heavy * Tourist noise affects central neighborhoods * Spanish bureaucracy can be slow and appointment-based ### Common visa routes * Schengen visa-free stay: up to 90 days in any 180-day period for eligible nationalities * Spain Digital Nomad Visa for qualifying remote workers and self-employed applicants * Non-Lucrative Visa for residents with sufficient passive income or savings [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.