Austin vs Budapest vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Sofia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 926,426 1,768,073 15,520,000 8,850,000 8,323,340 1,270,169
Official language(s) English (de facto) Hungarian Turkish Spanish English (de facto) Bulgarian
Level of English Very high High Low Moderate Very high High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October, November April - June, September - November April-June, September-October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No No
Average monthly costs $3484 $1230 $659 $1867 $5431 $1289
Rent $1650 $499 $354 $778 $2891 $567
Groceries $243 $108 $44 $281 $383 $10
Dining out $396 $202 $81 $182 $656 $227
Cafe $66 $29 $18 $49 $72 $27
Coworking space $331 $120 $49 $159 $326 $140
Mobile internet $40 $9 $3 $25 $45 $10
Public transportation $110 $36 $6 $11 $220 $30
Taxis $73 $27 $6 $9 $78 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $13 $2 $24 $30 $40
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $11 $81 $100 $18
Museums and sights $11 $7 $15 $20 $74 $12
Nightlife $124 $43 $22 $64 $195 $82
Gym $62 $37 $9 $69 $55 $23
Yoga $139 $48 $23 $65 $197 $62
Massage $89 $26 $15 $51 $109 $29
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi Uber Uber, Lyft TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable 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. 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 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. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight 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. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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 Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow