Jakarta vs Medan
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Jakarta 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 | Jakarta | Medan |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 55 | 61 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 40 | 43 |
| Climate | 81 | 88 |
| Safety | 48 | 57 |
| Summer °C | 27.8 | 26.5 |
| Winter °C | 26.6 | 25.0 |
| Top disaster risk | earthquake | earthquake |
Jakarta vs Medan: the short answer
Medan comes out ahead on overall livability (61/100), modestly above Jakarta (55/100). The two cities diverge most on natural-disaster exposure. On affordability Medan is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Jakarta 40 vs Medan 43, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Jakarta runs warmer in summer (about 27.8°C peak vs 26.5°C in Medan), while winter lows sit near 26.6°C in Jakarta 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 Jakarta and earthquake for Medan.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Medan — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Jakarta — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Medan — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Medan — 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 Jakarta or Medan better to live in?
Medan scores higher overall — 61 vs 55 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Jakarta or Medan?
Medan has the lower cost of living (cost index 43 vs 40; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Jakarta or Medan?
Jakarta — summer highs reach about 27.8°C versus 26.5°C in Medan.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Jakarta or Medan?
Medan (disaster-safety 57/100). Main hazard: earthquake in Jakarta, earthquake in Medan.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Jakarta?
earthquake is the dominant modelled hazard for Jakarta on our risk index.
How is the Jakarta 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.