Austin vs Berlin vs Bucharest vs Lisbon vs Medellin vs Panama City vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 1,830,000 517,000 2,427,000 880,691 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Romanian Portuguese Spanish Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high Very high High Very high Low Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - October March - May, September, October January - April, December December - April January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1351 $1984 $1293 $2359 $1833
Rent $1650 $939 $615 $965 $732 $1036 $1066
Groceries $243 $188 $114 $136 $87 $236 $95
Dining out $396 $271 $165 $271 $131 $371 $210
Cafe $66 $57 $38 $37 $18 $43 $25
Coworking space $331 $174 $133 $164 $96 $157 $130
Mobile internet $40 $23 $7 $24 $16 $21 $7
Public transportation $110 $88 $21 $63 $21 $12 $33
Taxis $73 $58 $9 $27 $14 $48 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $25 $18 $0 $0 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $29 $29 $8 $35 $55
Museums and sights $11 $37 $29 $24 $9 $9 $26
Nightlife $124 $63 $45 $47 $73 $117 $54
Gym $62 $66 $30 $65 $15 $37 $31
Yoga $139 $99 $59 $65 $54 $163 $40
Massage $89 $56 $31 $50 $20 $75 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Vodafone Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar 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 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 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, FreeNow EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. 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 Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja 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 Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks 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 401 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow