Austin vs Berlin vs Bucharest vs Budapest vs Istanbul vs New York City vs Prague

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 1,830,000 1,768,073 15,520,000 8,323,340 1,305,737
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Romanian Hungarian Turkish English (de facto) Czech
Level of English Very high Very high High High Low Very high High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - October March - June, September - November April - June, September and October April - June, September - November June - October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) USD - US Dollar ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1351 $1230 $659 $5431 $1806
Rent $1650 $939 $615 $499 $354 $2891 $780
Groceries $243 $188 $114 $108 $44 $383 $158
Dining out $396 $271 $165 $202 $81 $656 $240
Cafe $66 $57 $38 $29 $18 $72 $53
Coworking space $331 $174 $133 $120 $49 $326 $175
Mobile internet $40 $23 $7 $9 $3 $45 $24
Public transportation $110 $88 $21 $36 $6 $220 $61
Taxis $73 $58 $9 $27 $6 $78 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $25 $13 $2 $30 $19
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $29 $24 $11 $100 $19
Museums and sights $11 $37 $29 $7 $15 $74 $35
Nightlife $124 $63 $45 $43 $22 $195 $50
Gym $62 $66 $30 $37 $9 $55 $56
Yoga $139 $99 $59 $48 $23 $197 $66
Massage $89 $56 $31 $26 $15 $109 $37
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom AT&T, Verizon Vodafone, T-Mobile
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 - 15% at restaurants and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi Uber, Lyft Uber, Liftago
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable 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. 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 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. Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer!
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 Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky.
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 markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 112 options on HappyCow