Austin vs Barcelona vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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New York City ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 15,520,000 8,850,000 8,323,340 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Turkish Spanish English (de facto) Portuguese
Level of English Very high High Low Moderate Very high Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October, November April - June, September - November January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes No No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $659 $1867 $5431 $1833
Rent $1650 $932 $354 $778 $2891 $1066
Groceries $243 $121 $44 $281 $383 $95
Dining out $396 $403 $81 $182 $656 $210
Cafe $66 $45 $18 $49 $72 $25
Coworking space $331 $213 $49 $159 $326 $130
Mobile internet $40 $10 $3 $25 $45 $7
Public transportation $110 $127 $6 $11 $220 $33
Taxis $73 $48 $6 $9 $78 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $2 $24 $30 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $11 $81 $100 $55
Museums and sights $11 $33 $15 $20 $74 $26
Nightlife $124 $112 $22 $64 $195 $54
Gym $62 $81 $9 $69 $55 $31
Yoga $139 $93 $23 $65 $197 $40
Massage $89 $59 $15 $51 $109 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon 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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow BiTaksi Uber Uber, Lyft Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. 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 tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow