Austin vs Barcelona vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 6,578,0179 8,850,000 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high High Moderate Moderate Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, October, November January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $2498 $1867 $1833
Rent $1650 $932 $1174 $778 $1066
Groceries $243 $121 $175 $281 $95
Dining out $396 $403 $313 $182 $210
Cafe $66 $45 $51 $49 $25
Coworking space $331 $213 $196 $159 $130
Mobile internet $40 $10 $10 $25 $7
Public transportation $110 $127 $78 $11 $33
Taxis $73 $48 $44 $9 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $49 $24 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $54 $81 $55
Museums and sights $11 $33 $20 $20 $26
Nightlife $124 $112 $82 $64 $54
Gym $62 $81 $44 $69 $31
Yoga $139 $93 $142 $65 $40
Massage $89 $59 $64 $51 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Orange, Movistar, Vodafone 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 Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 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 Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
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. 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 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 Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros 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 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, menรบ del dรญa (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 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow