Side-by-side city decision # Medan vs Raleigh. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link MedanIndonesia1 VS RaleighUnited States5 $570Medan monthly budget $2,000Raleigh monthly budget 25 MbpsMedan internet 200 MbpsRaleigh internet Decision summary Raleigh Raleigh leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Medan Speed Fastest internet Raleigh Vibe Best nomad vibe Raleigh Safety Highest safety Raleigh Air Cleanest air Raleigh Walk Most walkable Raleigh 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$570 Internet25 Mbps Vibe6/10 [Raleigh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/raleigh.md) United States 5/6 Budget$2,000 Internet200 Mbps Vibe7/10 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 $570 $2,000 1-bed center rent $250 $1,250 Coworking desk $60 $200 Local meal $2.5 $15 Cappuccino $1.5 $4.5 Gym membership $25 $40 Transport budget $20 $60 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 25 Mbps 200 Mbps Nomad vibe 6/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 55/100 75/100 Air quality 42/100 85/100 Walkability 5/10 6/10 Female safety 6/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Good English proficiency Basic Excellent Climate type Tropical monsoon Humid subtropical Best time to visit Dec - Feb Apr - Jun 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 * 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) [Raleigh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/raleigh.md) United States → ### Strengths * Strong job market in tech and research * Affordable cost of living compared to other US cities * Green spaces and parks throughout the city * Friendly and welcoming community * Excellent universities and education options * Growing food and craft beer scene ### Trade-offs * Public transportation is limited outside downtown * Hot and humid summers can be uncomfortable * Car is almost essential for most errands * Limited nightlife compared to larger metros * Sales tax on groceries is higher than some states * Occasional hurricanes and thunderstorms ### Common visa routes * B1/B2 Visitor Visa * ESTA (Visa Waiver) * H-1B Work 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.