Austin vs Berlin vs Bucharest vs Buenos Aires vs Da Nang vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Da Nang 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 1,830,000 2,900,000 1,125,316 15,520,000 2,427,000 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Romanian Spanish Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high Very high High High Low Low Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Da Nang International Airport (DAD) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - October September - December February - May April - June, September and October January - April, December January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No No No No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1351 $1321 $959 $659 $1293 $1833
Rent $1650 $939 $615 $844 $316 $354 $732 $1066
Groceries $243 $188 $114 $98 $161 $44 $87 $95
Dining out $396 $271 $165 $121 $128 $81 $131 $210
Cafe $66 $57 $38 $25 $35 $18 $18 $25
Coworking space $331 $174 $133 $95 $88 $49 $96 $130
Mobile internet $40 $23 $7 $11 $4 $3 $16 $7
Public transportation $110 $88 $21 $9 $15 $6 $21 $33
Taxis $73 $58 $9 $9 $15 $6 $14 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $25 $14 $0 $2 $0 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $29 $24 $6 $11 $8 $55
Museums and sights $11 $37 $29 $4 $2 $15 $9 $26
Nightlife $124 $63 $45 $23 $74 $22 $73 $54
Gym $62 $66 $30 $14 $34 $9 $15 $31
Yoga $139 $99 $59 $19 $71 $23 $54 $40
Massage $89 $56 $31 $10 $10 $15 $20 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Movistar, Claro, Personal Viettel, Vinafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Grab BiTaksi EasyTaxi Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options Healthy and with robust flavors, Vietnamese cuisine combines noodles and rice with a variety of greens and local herbs to compliment specially seasoned pork, beef or seafood dishes. In Da Nang, you'll find a strong emphasis on barbecued seafood dishes as well as fish-based sauces. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food 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 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 107 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow