Side-by-side city decision # Beijing vs Medan. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link BeijingChina4/6 VS MedanIndonesia1/6 $1,715Beijing monthly budget $575Medan monthly budget 250 MbpsBeijing internet 55 MbpsMedan internet Decision summary Beijing Beijing leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Medan Speed Fastest internet Beijing Vibe Best nomad vibe Beijing Safety Highest safety Beijing Air Cleanest air Tie Walk Most walkable Beijing Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Beijing](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/beijing.md) China 4/6 Budget$1,715 Internet250 Mbps Vibe8/10 [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 MetricBeijingMedan Total estimated budget $1,715 $575 1-bed center rent $1,050 $260 Coworking desk $280 $95 Local meal $4.5 $1.7 Cappuccino $4.3 $2.2 Gym membership $55 $24 Transport budget $45 $45 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricBeijingMedan Internet speed 250 Mbps 55 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricBeijingMedan Safety index 78/100 58/100 Air quality 57/100 57/100 Walkability 7/10 4/10 Female safety 8/10 5/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 4/10 3/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricBeijingMedan Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Basic Basic Climate type Humid continental monsoon Tropical rainforest Best time to visit Sep - Oct 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. [Beijing](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/beijing.md) China → ### Strengths * Fast, affordable metro system covering most districts * Excellent mobile payments and delivery apps * Very fast fiber and 5G connectivity * Deep history, museums, parks, and cultural landmarks * Generally strong personal safety * Wide range of affordable local food ### Trade-offs * Internet restrictions require preparation for work tools * Air quality can be poor, especially in winter * English is limited outside international areas * Housing can be expensive and lease processes are complex * Remote work is not formally covered by a digital nomad visa * Winters are cold, dry, and often windy ### Common visa routes * Tourist L visa * Business M visa * Work Z visa with residence permit [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.