Austin vs Barcelona vs Budapest vs Istanbul vs Tbilisi

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 1,768,073 15,520,000 1,108,700
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Hungarian Turkish Georgian
Level of English Very high High High Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November March - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - June
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) GEL - Georgian Lari (₾)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1230 $659 $1462
Rent $1650 $932 $499 $354 $752
Groceries $243 $121 $108 $44 $112
Dining out $396 $403 $202 $81 $169
Cafe $66 $45 $29 $18 $45
Coworking space $331 $213 $120 $49 $125
Mobile internet $40 $10 $9 $3 $4
Public transportation $110 $127 $36 $6 $8
Taxis $73 $48 $27 $6 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $13 $2 $27
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $24 $11 $21
Museums and sights $11 $33 $7 $15 $9
Nightlife $124 $112 $43 $22 $53
Gym $62 $81 $37 $9 $33
Yoga $139 $93 $48 $23 $37
Massage $89 $59 $26 $15 $53
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline
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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés.
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi Yandex, Bolt
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable 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. 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Cuisine of the Caucasus meets regional diversity in Georgia. Emphasis on spices and meats (poultry, beef, pork and mutton) as well as soups and creams.
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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli
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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 10 options on Happy Cow