Austin vs Bucharest vs Chiang Mai vs Da Nang vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Playa del Carmen vs Prague

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Da Nang 🇻🇳
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Population 926,426 1,830,000 1,166,978 1,125,316 6,578,0179 8,850,000 8,323,340 259,453 1,305,737
Official language(s) English (de facto) Romanian Thai Vietnamese Spanish Spanish English (de facto) Spanish Czech
Level of English Very high High Low Low Moderate Moderate Very high Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Da Nang International Airport (DAD) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - October November - April February - May March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April - June, September - November January - May, October - December June - October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) THB - Thai Baht (฿) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1351 $974 $959 $2498 $1867 $5431 $2143 $1806
Rent $1650 $615 $274 $316 $1174 $778 $2891 $923 $780
Groceries $243 $114 $169 $161 $175 $281 $383 $127 $158
Dining out $396 $165 $108 $128 $313 $182 $656 $207 $240
Cafe $66 $38 $45 $35 $51 $49 $72 $42 $53
Coworking space $331 $133 $95 $88 $196 $159 $326 $160 $175
Mobile internet $40 $7 $11 $4 $10 $25 $45 $21 $24
Public transportation $110 $21 $60 $15 $78 $11 $220 $17 $61
Taxis $73 $9 $20 $15 $44 $9 $78 $9 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $25 $10 $0 $49 $24 $30 $49 $19
Sport and cultural events $54 $29 $8 $6 $54 $81 $100 $97 $19
Museums and sights $11 $29 $8 $2 $20 $20 $74 $217 $35
Nightlife $124 $45 $62 $74 $82 $64 $195 $77 $50
Gym $62 $30 $41 $34 $44 $69 $55 $42 $56
Yoga $139 $59 $55 $71 $142 $65 $197 $54 $66
Massage $89 $31 $10 $10 $64 $51 $109 $101 $37
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Orange AIS, DTAC Viettel, Vinafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile
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% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes 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 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Star Taxi, Uber Grab Grab Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber Uber, Lyft N/A Uber, Liftago
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. 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. 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. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca 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. Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole 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 Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets 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 Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 107 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow