Bandung vs Medan
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Bandung leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Medan where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Medan's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Bandung | Medan |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 64 | 61 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 43 | 43 |
| Climate | 100 | 88 |
| Safety | 55 | 57 |
| Summer °C | 21.1 | 26.5 |
| Winter °C | 20.0 | 25.0 |
| Top disaster risk | earthquake | earthquake |
Bandung vs Medan: the short answer
Bandung comes out ahead on overall livability (64/100), modestly above Medan (61/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Medan is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Bandung 43 vs Medan 43, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Medan runs warmer in summer (about 26.5°C peak vs 21.1°C in Bandung), while winter lows sit near 20.0°C in Bandung and 25.0°C in Medan. On natural-disaster exposure Medan is the safer choice (safety 57/100); the dominant modelled hazard is earthquake for Bandung and earthquake for Medan.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Medan — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Medan — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Medan — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Bandung — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Bandung or Medan better to live in?
Bandung scores higher overall — 64 vs 61 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Bandung or Medan?
Medan has the lower cost of living (cost index 43 vs 43; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Bandung or Medan?
Medan — summer highs reach about 26.5°C versus 21.1°C in Bandung.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Bandung or Medan?
Medan (disaster-safety 57/100). Main hazard: earthquake in Bandung, earthquake in Medan.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Bandung?
earthquake is the dominant modelled hazard for Bandung on our risk index.
How is the Bandung vs Medan comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.