Austin vs Bucharest vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Playa del Carmen

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bucharest ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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New York City ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 1,830,000 8,850,000 8,323,340 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Romanian Spanish English (de facto) Spanish
Level of English Very high High Moderate Very high Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - October March - May, October, November April - June, September - November January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1351 $1867 $5431 $2143
Rent $1650 $615 $778 $2891 $923
Groceries $243 $114 $281 $383 $127
Dining out $396 $165 $182 $656 $207
Cafe $66 $38 $49 $72 $42
Coworking space $331 $133 $159 $326 $160
Mobile internet $40 $7 $25 $45 $21
Public transportation $110 $21 $11 $220 $17
Taxis $73 $9 $9 $78 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $25 $24 $30 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $29 $81 $100 $97
Museums and sights $11 $29 $20 $74 $217
Nightlife $124 $45 $64 $195 $77
Gym $62 $30 $69 $55 $42
Yoga $139 $59 $65 $197 $54
Massage $89 $31 $51 $109 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Orange Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon Telcel, Movistar
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% for restaurants, bars and services 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Star Taxi, Uber Uber Uber, Lyft N/A
Tap water Drinkable Not 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. 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
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Sarmale, mฤƒmฤƒligฤƒ, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbฤƒ de burtฤƒ, covrig, papanasi 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
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (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
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow