Side-by-side city decision # Ouagadougou vs Medan. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link OuagadougouBurkina Faso1 VS MedanIndonesia5 $630Ouagadougou monthly budget $570Medan monthly budget 12 MbpsOuagadougou internet 25 MbpsMedan internet Decision summary Medan Medan leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Medan Speed Fastest internet Medan Vibe Best nomad vibe Medan Safety Highest safety Medan Air Cleanest air Ouagadougou Walk Most walkable Medan Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Ouagadougou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/burkina-faso/ouagadougou.md) Burkina Faso 1/6 Budget$630 Internet12 Mbps Vibe3/10 [Medan](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/medan.md) Indonesia 5/6 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 $630 $570 1-bed center rent $350 $250 Coworking desk $100 $60 Local meal $4 $2.5 Cappuccino $2 $1.5 Gym membership $25 $25 Transport budget $30 $20 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 12 Mbps 25 Mbps Nomad vibe 3/10 6/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 35/100 55/100 Air quality 60/100 42/100 Walkability 4/10 5/10 Female safety 3/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 2/10 5/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Poor Average English proficiency Basic Basic Climate type Tropical wet and dry Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Nov - Feb 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. [Ouagadougou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/burkina-faso/ouagadougou.md) Burkina Faso → ### Strengths * Low cost of living * Warm climate year-round * Unique local culture and festivals * Friendly and welcoming locals * French language immersion opportunity * Growing but small expat community ### Trade-offs * Poor and unreliable internet connectivity * Safety concerns, especially at night * Limited healthcare facilities and services * Few coworking spaces and digital amenities * Extreme heat between March and May * Significant language barrier without French ### Common visa routes * Tourist visa (up to 90 days) * Visa on arrival for many nationalities * eVisa available [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.