Austin vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Panama City vs Prague vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 926,426 1,830,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 8,323,340 880,691 1,305,737 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Spanish English (de facto) Spanish Czech Portuguese
Level of English Very high High Very high Low Moderate Moderate Very high Low High Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - October March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April - June, September - November December - April June - October January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $1351 $1549 $659 $2498 $1867 $5431 $2359 $1806 $1833
Rent $1650 $615 $618 $354 $1174 $778 $2891 $1036 $780 $1066
Groceries $243 $114 $129 $44 $175 $281 $383 $236 $158 $95
Dining out $396 $165 $269 $81 $313 $182 $656 $371 $240 $210
Cafe $66 $38 $32 $18 $51 $49 $72 $43 $53 $25
Coworking space $331 $133 $151 $49 $196 $159 $326 $157 $175 $130
Mobile internet $40 $7 $27 $3 $10 $25 $45 $21 $24 $7
Public transportation $110 $21 $55 $6 $78 $11 $220 $12 $61 $33
Taxis $73 $9 $21 $6 $44 $9 $78 $48 $33 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $25 $49 $2 $49 $24 $30 $0 $19 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $29 $19 $11 $54 $81 $100 $35 $19 $55
Museums and sights $11 $29 $15 $15 $20 $20 $74 $9 $35 $26
Nightlife $124 $45 $43 $22 $82 $64 $195 $117 $50 $54
Gym $62 $30 $36 $9 $44 $69 $55 $37 $56 $31
Yoga $139 $59 $56 $23 $142 $65 $197 $163 $66 $40
Massage $89 $31 $30 $15 $64 $51 $109 $75 $37 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon Claro, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber Uber, Lyft Uber, Tu Chofer Uber, Liftago Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 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. 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. 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! 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros 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. Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. 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 Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés 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 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 112 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow