Side-by-side city decision # Medan vs Lyon. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link MedanIndonesia1/6 VS LyonFrance5/6 $575Medan monthly budget $1,870Lyon monthly budget 55 MbpsMedan internet 280 MbpsLyon internet Decision summary Lyon Lyon leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Medan Speed Fastest internet Lyon Vibe Best nomad vibe Lyon Safety Highest safety Lyon Air Cleanest air Lyon Walk Most walkable Lyon Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Medan](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/medan.md) Indonesia 1/6 Budget$575 Internet55 Mbps Vibe6/10 [Lyon](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/lyon.md) France 5/6 Budget$1,870 Internet280 Mbps Vibe8/10 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 MetricMedanLyon Total estimated budget $575 $1,870 1-bed center rent $260 $1,120 Coworking desk $95 $310 Local meal $1.7 $17.5 Cappuccino $2.2 $3.9 Gym membership $24 $45 Transport budget $45 $80 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricMedanLyon Internet speed 55 Mbps 280 Mbps Nomad vibe 6/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricMedanLyon Safety index 58/100 66/100 Air quality 57/100 68/100 Walkability 4/10 9/10 Female safety 5/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 3/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricMedanLyon Healthcare quality Good Excellent English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Tropical rainforest Temperate continental with Mediterranean influences Best time to visit Jun - Sep May - 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. [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 [Lyon](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/france/lyon.md) France → ### Strengths * Excellent public transport, cycling infrastructure, and walkable central districts * High-quality healthcare and safe drinking water * Strong food culture with markets, bouchons, and diverse international dining * Fast fiber internet and reliable mobile coverage * More affordable and less tourist-saturated than Paris * Easy rail access to Paris, the Alps, Provence, and Switzerland ### Trade-offs * Long-term housing can be competitive and requires extensive paperwork * French bureaucracy and banking setup can be slow for newcomers * Winter can be gray, chilly, and affected by temperature inversions * English is less universal outside international workplaces and tourist areas * Summer heatwaves are increasingly common * France has no dedicated digital nomad visa ### Common visa routes * Schengen short-stay visa or visa-free entry: up to 90 days in any 180-day period * French long-stay visitor visa for stays over 90 days, subject to financial and insurance requirements * Passeport Talent residence permit for eligible entrepreneurs, founders, and highly skilled workers 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.