Side-by-side city decision # Guiyang vs Medan. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link GuiyangChina4 VS MedanIndonesia1 $775Guiyang monthly budget $570Medan monthly budget 50 MbpsGuiyang internet 25 MbpsMedan internet Decision summary Guiyang Guiyang leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Medan Speed Fastest internet Guiyang Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Guiyang Air Cleanest air Guiyang Walk Most walkable Guiyang Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Guiyang](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/guiyang.md) China 4/6 Budget$775 Internet50 Mbps Vibe6/10 [Medan](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/medan.md) Indonesia 1/6 Budget$570 Internet25 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 $775 $570 1-bed center rent $350 $250 Coworking desk $120 $60 Local meal $3.5 $2.5 Cappuccino $2.5 $1.5 Gym membership $35 $25 Transport budget $25 $20 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 50 Mbps 25 Mbps Nomad vibe 6/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 75/100 55/100 Air quality 70/100 42/100 Walkability 6/10 5/10 Female safety 7/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 2/10 5/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Good Average English proficiency Basic Basic Climate type Humid subtropical Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Mar - May Dec - Feb 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. [Guiyang](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/guiyang.md) China → ### Strengths * Very low cost of living compared to other Chinese cities * Mild, comfortable climate year-round with good air quality * Safe streets and low crime rates day or night * Delicious local cuisine, especially spicy sour soups and rice noodles * Growing number of coworking spaces and cafes with decent WiFi * Close to scenic mountains and national parks for weekend getaways ### Trade-offs * English is not widely spoken; basic Mandarin is essential * Internet is heavily restricted; a reliable VPN is mandatory * Hilly terrain makes walking tiring; public transport is a must * Entertainment options are limited compared to Shanghai or Beijing * LGBTQ+ acceptance is low; public displays of affection are discouraged * Tap water is not safe to drink; bottled or filtered water is necessary ### Common visa routes * Tourist (L) visa * Business (M) visa * Student (X) visa [Medan](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/medan.md) Indonesia → ### Strengths * Extremely low cost of living * Rich culinary scene with diverse street food * Friendly and welcoming locals * Excellent base for exploring Lake Toba and Sumatra * Growing digital nomad community * Delicious local coffee culture ### Trade-offs * Heavy traffic congestion, especially during rush hours * Air pollution due to motorbikes and industry * Limited English proficiency outside tourist areas * Frequent power outages and internet fluctuations * Tap water not drinkable; need bottled water * Few coworking spaces compared to Bali ### Common visa routes * Visa on Arrival (30 days) * B211A Social Visa (60 days, extendable) * KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit) 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.