Austin vs Budapest vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Mexico City vs New York City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Population 926,426 1,768,073 4,617,560 1,166,978 8,850,000 8,323,340
Official language(s) English (de facto) Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Spanish English (de facto)
Level of English Very high High Very high Low Moderate Very high
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - June, September - November March - May, September - November November - April March - May, October, November April - June, September - November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (฿) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $1230 $1549 $974 $1867 $5431
Rent $1650 $499 $618 $274 $778 $2891
Groceries $243 $108 $129 $169 $281 $383
Dining out $396 $202 $269 $108 $182 $656
Cafe $66 $29 $32 $45 $49 $72
Coworking space $331 $120 $151 $95 $159 $326
Mobile internet $40 $9 $27 $11 $25 $45
Public transportation $110 $36 $55 $60 $11 $220
Taxis $73 $27 $21 $20 $9 $78
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $13 $49 $10 $24 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $19 $8 $81 $100
Museums and sights $11 $7 $15 $8 $20 $74
Nightlife $124 $43 $43 $62 $64 $195
Gym $62 $37 $36 $41 $69 $55
Yoga $139 $48 $56 $55 $65 $197
Massage $89 $26 $30 $10 $51 $109
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt Grab Uber Uber, Lyft
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua 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.
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food 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
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow