Cost Of Living For a Student in Medan 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: IDR
Average monthly spending for students in Medan
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Medan?
Students in Medan spend around 12M IDR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 1.8M IDR or as high as 81M IDR. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Medan
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 23,000 IDR | 47,000 IDR | 78,000 IDR |
Restaurant meal for one
| 79,000 IDR | 120,000 IDR | 240,000 IDR |
Fine dining meal for one
| 160,000 IDR | 240,000 IDR | 950,000 IDR |
Cappuccino or latte
| 19,000 IDR | 31,000 IDR | 47,000 IDR |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
| 16,000 IDR | 19,000 IDR | 23,000 IDR |
12 eggs
| 12,000 IDR | 16,000 IDR | 23,000 IDR |
Fresh whole chicken
| 26,000 IDR | 34,000 IDR | 49,000 IDR |
Pack of beef
| 31,000 IDR | 47,000 IDR | 93,000 IDR |
Medium bag of rice
| 13,000 IDR | 17,000 IDR | 24,000 IDR |
Bag of tomatos
| 4,700 IDR | 6,200 IDR | 12,000 IDR |
Bag of apples
| 8,300 IDR | 11,000 IDR | 18,000 IDR |
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 20,000 IDR | 24,000 IDR | 47,000 IDR |
Average car full tank
| 120,000 IDR | 160,000 IDR | 310,000 IDR |
Average car 1-day rental
| 120,000 IDR | 160,000 IDR | 240,000 IDR |
Average car price
| 58M IDR | 120M IDR | 160M IDR |
Bus ticket one way
| 4,000 IDR | 6,000 IDR | 12,000 IDR |
Car Service
| 160,000 IDR | 240,000 IDR | 480,000 IDR |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 73,000 IDR | 490,000 IDR | 3.2M IDR |
Internet and cable
| 120,000 IDR | 230,000 IDR | 310,000 IDR |
Mobile phone charges
| 93,000 IDR | 160,000 IDR | 470,000 IDR |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 58,000 IDR | 78,000 IDR | 120,000 IDR |
One month gym membership
| 190,000 IDR | 240,000 IDR | 480,000 IDR |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 140,000 IDR | 200,000 IDR | 300,000 IDR |
Woman dress
| 130,000 IDR | 190,000 IDR | 600,000 IDR |
Woman shoes
| 130,000 IDR | 170,000 IDR | 400,000 IDR |
Men's shoes
| 110,000 IDR | 130,000 IDR | 270,000 IDR |
Men suit
| 120,000 IDR | 150,000 IDR | 810,000 IDR |
Regular t-shirt
| 60,000 IDR | 81,000 IDR | 240,000 IDR |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 400M IDR | 600M IDR | 1,200M IDR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 480M IDR | 810M IDR | 3,000M IDR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 810M IDR | 2,400M IDR | 4,800M IDR |
| $51,000 | $150,000 | $310,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 2.3M IDR | 2.9M IDR | 3.9M IDR |
Double Bed
| 1.6M IDR | 2.3M IDR | 2.9M IDR |
Single Bed
| 1.4M IDR | 1.8M IDR | 2.3M IDR |
Living Room
| 2.6M IDR | 3.3M IDR | 12M IDR |
Dining Table
| 1.2M IDR | 1.6M IDR | 2.9M IDR |
Sofa or Couch
| 1.6M IDR | 2.1M IDR | 4.7M IDR |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 1.6M IDR | 2.3M IDR | 4.7M IDR |
Fridge or Freezer
| 1.4M IDR | 2.1M IDR | 2.9M IDR |
Washing Machine
| 1.8M IDR | 2.6M IDR | 4.7M IDR |
Stove or Cooker
| 1.7M IDR | 2.1M IDR | 2.9M IDR |
Mobile Phone
| 1.9M IDR | 2.3M IDR | 3.3M IDR |
Laptop or Computer
| 2.1M IDR | 2.6M IDR | 4.7M IDR |
How do students spend their money in Medan?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $28 440,000 IDR |
| AVERAGE | $190 2.9M IDR |
| HIGH | $1,200 19M IDR |
| Per Month |
Students in Medan typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 2.9M IDR with expenditure ranging from 440,000 IDR to 19M IDR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4.7 73,000 IDR |
| AVERAGE | $31 490,000 IDR |
| HIGH | $210 3.2M IDR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Medan ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 490,000 IDR with 73,000 IDR and 3.2M IDR being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $8.2 130,000 IDR |
| AVERAGE | $54 850,000 IDR |
| HIGH | $360 5.7M IDR |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 130,000 IDR to 5.7M IDR in a month on commuting with 850,000 IDR being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $23 370,000 IDR |
| AVERAGE | $150 2.4M IDR |
| HIGH | $1,000 16M IDR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Medan is 2.4M IDR. The cost of groceries can range between 370,000 IDR to 16M IDR. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $7 110,000 IDR |
| AVERAGE | $46 730,000 IDR |
| HIGH | $310 4.9M IDR |
| Per Month |
Students in Medan allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 110,000 IDR to 4.9M IDR with 730,000 IDR being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $5.8 92,000 IDR |
| AVERAGE | $39 610,000 IDR |
| HIGH | $260 4.1M IDR |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 92,000 IDR to 4.1M IDR with 610,000 IDR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $22 350,000 IDR |
| AVERAGE | $150 2.3M IDR |
| HIGH | $980 15M IDR |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 2.3M IDR per month with 350,000 IDR being the minimum spent amount and 15M IDR being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $17 280,000 IDR |
| AVERAGE | $120 1.8M IDR |
| HIGH | $770 12M IDR |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Medan
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Medan?
Around 60% of surveyed students think that living in Medan is affordable with proper budgeting while 40% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Medan
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options62%
Few low-cost options38%
Based on the survey, 62% of the students living in Medan have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 38% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Medan whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes60%
No40%
Based on the survey, 40% of the students living in Medan said that they don't have an emergency fund while 60% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Indonesia
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy51%
We asked student guardians and parents in Medan whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 49% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 51% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Indonesia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 39% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 61% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance39%
Easily manages finances61%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Medan
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Medan
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 4.8M IDR | 8.1M IDR | 22M IDR |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
Townhouse monthly rent cost
House monthly rent cost
Villa monthly rent cost
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Medan ranges between 2M IDR and 8.1M IDR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 3M IDR to 12M IDR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 4M IDR and 16M IDR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 4.8M IDR to 22M IDR. The average rent of a townhouse in Medan is around 12M IDR while house rental costs can be as high as 24M IDR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 12M IDR to 48M IDR per month.
Apartment and house prices in Medan
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 400M IDR | 600M IDR | 1,200M IDR |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 480M IDR | 810M IDR | 3,000M IDR |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 810M IDR | 2,400M IDR | 4,800M IDR |
| $51,000 | $150,000 | $310,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 2,700M IDR | 4,000M IDR | 12,000M IDR |
| $170,000 | $260,000 | $770,000 |
Townhouse price
| 3,500M IDR | 8,100M IDR | 30,000M IDR |
House price
| 4,000M IDR | 24,000M IDR | 35,000M IDR |
Villa price
| 4,800M IDR | 27,000M IDR | 40,000M IDR |
The average price of a studio apartment in Medan can range from 400M IDR to 1,200M IDR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 480M IDR to 3,000M IDR. A villa can cost you 27,000M IDR on average with prices ranging from 4,800M IDR to 40,000M IDR.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Medan will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 39 | x111 monthly income | 217 |
Property prices in Medan can be x111 to x217 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x111 multiples of the average monthly salary in Medan.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Medan is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 43% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
30% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 37,000 IDR | 480,000 IDR | 4.8M IDR |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Medan
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Medan
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 73,000 IDR | 490,000 IDR | 3.2M IDR |
Internet and cable cost
| 120,000 IDR | 230,000 IDR | 310,000 IDR |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 93,000 IDR | 160,000 IDR | 470,000 IDR |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 490,000 IDR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 120,000 IDR to 310,000 IDR with 230,000 IDR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 160,000 IDR but can range between 93,000 IDR and 470,000 IDR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Medan is around 6.5%. This means that people pay 6.5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.2% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Medan
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Medan
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 23,000 IDR | 47,000 IDR | 78,000 IDR |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Medan is approximatly 47,000 IDR with meal cost ranging from 23,000 IDR to 78,000 IDR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 79,000 IDR | 120,000 IDR | 240,000 IDR |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 79,000 IDR and 240,000 IDR with 120,000 IDR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Medan.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 160,000 IDR | 240,000 IDR | 950,000 IDR |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 160,000 IDR to 950,000 IDR with the average cost being 240,000 IDR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Medan.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 19,000 IDR | 31,000 IDR | 47,000 IDR |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Medan is around 31,000 IDR. Price ranges between 19,000 IDR and 47,000 IDR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
| 16,000 IDR | 19,000 IDR | 23,000 IDR |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Medan is 19,000 IDR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 23,000 IDR and the minimum being 16,000 IDR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
| 12,000 IDR | 16,000 IDR | 23,000 IDR |
A dozen eggs costs around 16,000 IDR on average with 12,000 IDR and 23,000 IDR being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 26,000 IDR | 34,000 IDR | 49,000 IDR |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Medan is between 26,000 IDR and 49,000 IDR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 34,000 IDR.
Pack of beef price
| 31,000 IDR | 47,000 IDR | 93,000 IDR |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 47,000 IDR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
| 13,000 IDR | 17,000 IDR | 24,000 IDR |
A bag of rice in Medan costs around 17,000 IDR on average with prices rangeing between 13,000 IDR and 24,000 IDR depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
| 4,700 IDR | 6,200 IDR | 12,000 IDR |
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 4,700 IDR to 12,000 IDR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
| 8,300 IDR | 11,000 IDR | 18,000 IDR |
A bag of apples costs 11,000 IDR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Medan is around 28%. This means that students spend 28% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 34% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 370,000 IDR to 16M IDR with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
