Austin vs Bangkok vs Barcelona vs Chiang Mai vs Madrid vs Valencia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 5,585,556 1,166,978 6,578,0179 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Catalan, Spanish Thai Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Low High Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December April - June, September - November November - April March - May, September - November March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $2384 $974 $2498 $1976
Rent $1650 $616 $932 $274 $1174 $869
Groceries $243 $191 $121 $169 $175 $146
Dining out $396 $168 $403 $108 $313 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $45 $45 $51 $42
Coworking space $331 $127 $213 $95 $196 $152
Mobile internet $40 $23 $10 $11 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $32 $127 $60 $78 $38
Taxis $73 $19 $48 $20 $44 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $24 $10 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $81 $8 $54 $73
Museums and sights $11 $21 $33 $8 $20 $44
Nightlife $124 $50 $112 $62 $82 $66
Gym $62 $96 $81 $41 $44 $34
Yoga $139 $98 $93 $55 $142 $87
Massage $89 $11 $59 $10 $64 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Vodafone, Movistar AIS, DTAC Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Cabify, FreeNow Grab Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 98 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow