Austin vs Barcelona vs Budapest vs Chiang Mai vs Mexico City vs Seoul vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 1,768,073 1,166,978 8,850,000 9,963,452 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Hungarian Thai Spanish Korean Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High High Low Moderate Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Incheon International Airport (ICN) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November March - June, September - November November - April March - May, October, November March - May, September - November March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) THB - Thai Baht (฿) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1230 $974 $1867 $2184 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $499 $274 $778 $797 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $108 $169 $281 $356 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $202 $108 $182 $211 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $29 $45 $49 $69 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $120 $95 $159 $222 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $9 $11 $25 $40 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $36 $60 $11 $40 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $27 $20 $9 $41 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $13 $10 $24 $13 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $24 $8 $81 $39 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $7 $8 $20 $6 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $43 $62 $64 $93 $66
Gym $62 $81 $37 $41 $69 $69 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $48 $55 $65 $112 $87
Massage $89 $59 $26 $10 $51 $75 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Telenor AIS, DTAC Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus 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 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services Not customary or expected Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Bolt, Fotaxi Grab Uber Uber, Kakao Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not 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. 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. Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. 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. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture. 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 Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam 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 markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow