Austin vs Bangkok vs Barcelona vs Chiang Mai vs Larnaca vs Mexico City

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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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 5,585,556 1,166,978 144,900 8,850,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Catalan, Spanish Thai Greek Spanish
Level of English Very high Low High Low High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December April - June, September - November November - April March - May, October - December March - May, October, November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa No No Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $2384 $974 $1959 $1867
Rent $1650 $616 $932 $274 $678 $778
Groceries $243 $191 $121 $169 $157 $281
Dining out $396 $168 $403 $108 $261 $182
Cafe $66 $45 $45 $45 $56 $49
Coworking space $331 $127 $213 $95 $209 $159
Mobile internet $40 $23 $10 $11 $35 $25
Public transportation $110 $32 $127 $60 $63 $11
Taxis $73 $19 $48 $20 $42 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $24 $10 $45 $24
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $81 $8 $28 $81
Museums and sights $11 $21 $33 $8 $8 $20
Nightlife $124 $50 $112 $62 $110 $64
Gym $62 $96 $81 $41 $107 $69
Yoga $139 $98 $93 $55 $105 $65
Massage $89 $11 $59 $10 $54 $51
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Vodafone, Movistar AIS, DTAC Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Telcel, Movistar
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 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Cabify, FreeNow Grab nTaxi Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
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 Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
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 Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 98 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 279 listings on Happy Cow