Austin vs Barcelona vs Bogota vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 10,978,360 1,830,000 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Spanish Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Low High Low Moderate Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) El Dorado International Airport (BOG) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November January - March, December April - October April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1097 $1351 $659 $2498 $1867 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $480 $615 $354 $1174 $778 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $82 $114 $44 $175 $281 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $174 $165 $81 $313 $182 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $22 $38 $18 $51 $49 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $77 $133 $49 $196 $159 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $11 $7 $3 $10 $25 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $23 $21 $6 $78 $11 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $28 $9 $6 $44 $9 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $17 $25 $2 $49 $24 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $22 $29 $11 $54 $81 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $7 $29 $15 $20 $20 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $46 $45 $22 $82 $64 $66
Gym $62 $81 $15 $30 $9 $44 $69 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $57 $59 $23 $142 $65 $87
Massage $89 $59 $37 $31 $15 $64 $51 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Tigo, Movistar, Claro Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
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 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Uber, Cabify Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not 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. 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. 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
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 Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del día. Community markets and sports bars. Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 104 options on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow