Austin vs Budapest vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Playa del Carmen

Austin 🇺🇸
Remove
Budapest 🇭🇺
Remove
Madrid 🇪🇸
Remove
Mexico City 🇲🇽
Remove
Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
Remove
Population 926,426 1,768,073 6,578,0179 8,850,000 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Hungarian Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Moderate Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, October, November January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1230 $2498 $1867 $2143
Rent $1650 $499 $1174 $778 $923
Groceries $243 $108 $175 $281 $127
Dining out $396 $202 $313 $182 $207
Cafe $66 $29 $51 $49 $42
Coworking space $331 $120 $196 $159 $160
Mobile internet $40 $9 $10 $25 $21
Public transportation $110 $36 $78 $11 $17
Taxis $73 $27 $44 $9 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $13 $49 $24 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $54 $81 $97
Museums and sights $11 $7 $20 $20 $217
Nightlife $124 $43 $82 $64 $77
Gym $62 $37 $44 $69 $42
Yoga $139 $48 $142 $65 $54
Massage $89 $26 $64 $51 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Telenor Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber N/A
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not 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. 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 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 Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas 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 Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants 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) Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow