Austin vs Barcelona vs Berlin vs Bogota vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 3,400,000 10,978,360 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish German Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high High Very high Low Low Low Moderate Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November May - September January - March, December April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $2200 $1097 $659 $1293 $1867 $1833
Rent $1650 $932 $939 $480 $354 $732 $778 $1066
Groceries $243 $121 $188 $82 $44 $87 $281 $95
Dining out $396 $403 $271 $174 $81 $131 $182 $210
Cafe $66 $45 $57 $22 $18 $18 $49 $25
Coworking space $331 $213 $174 $77 $49 $96 $159 $130
Mobile internet $40 $10 $23 $11 $3 $16 $25 $7
Public transportation $110 $127 $88 $23 $6 $21 $11 $33
Taxis $73 $48 $58 $28 $6 $14 $9 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $17 $17 $2 $0 $24 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $64 $22 $11 $8 $81 $55
Museums and sights $11 $33 $37 $7 $15 $9 $20 $26
Nightlife $124 $112 $63 $46 $22 $73 $64 $54
Gym $62 $81 $66 $15 $9 $15 $69 $31
Yoga $139 $93 $99 $57 $23 $54 $65 $40
Massage $89 $59 $56 $37 $15 $20 $51 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Tigo, Movistar, Claro Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Cabify BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 104 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow