Medan vs. Mississauga: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Medan, Indonesia, with a population of approximately 3.6 million, presents a stark contrast to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, which has a significantly smaller population of around 700,000. This comparison examines key metrics from the provided data to offer insights into the relative cost of living and quality of life between these two distinct locations.

1. Cost of Living

Climate Index

60.7 / 58.7

Health Care Index

60.4 / 70.2

Medan   Mississauga

Mississauga demonstrates a substantially higher cost of living across nearly all categories compared to Medan. Basic food items, particularly groceries, are significantly more expensive in Mississauga. For instance, a kilogram of white rice costs $2.63 in Mississauga versus $0.76 in Medan. Similarly, local cheese is $11.00/kg in Mississauga versus $3.00/kg in Medan. Transportation costs also reflect this disparity, with gasoline priced at $1.08/L in Mississauga versus $0.70/L in Medan. Rent is another major differentiator, with a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Mississauga costing approximately $1,746/month compared to just $250/month in Medan. Childcare expenses are also significantly higher in Mississauga ($362/month) than in Medan ($120/month). While the data does not provide a direct comparison for utilities, the higher base salary in Mississauga ($3,018/month) may partially offset the increased costs.

2. Quality of Life

Pollution Index

76.1 / 23.5

Safety Index

42.1 / 56.1

Medan   Mississauga

The data suggests Mississauga offers a superior quality of life based on environmental and safety indicators. Pollution levels are markedly lower in Mississauga (average reading 23.47) compared to Medan (average reading 55.00). Safety appears better in Mississauga, reflected in lower crime statistics (average reading 20.00) versus Medan's higher crime statistics (average reading 65.00). Healthcare access and quality are likely higher in Mississauga, contributing to its better environmental and safety rankings. Mississauga also shows higher educational attainment levels (average reading 65.00) compared to Medan (average reading 45.00).

3. Economic Factors

Traffic Commute Time Index

30.1 / 35.6

Medan   Mississauga

Mississauga exhibits significantly stronger economic indicators. The GDP per capita is substantially higher ($55,900 vs. $4,600), reflecting greater economic output and wealth per person. The annual mortgage interest rate is lower in Mississauga (4.68%) compared to Medan (not provided), potentially making homeownership more accessible. The population growth rate is similar (0.71%) between both cities, suggesting comparable levels of attractiveness for residents. While Mississauga presents a higher cost of living, particularly for housing, food, and transportation, it offers significantly better environmental quality, safety, healthcare, and economic opportunities compared to Medan. Conversely, Medan offers substantially lower costs for living expenses but lags considerably in quality of life metrics and economic potential. The choice between these two locations would depend heavily on individual priorities regarding cost savings versus quality of life and economic prospects.