Austin vs Budapest vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Panama City

Austin 🇺🇸
Remove
Budapest 🇭🇺
Remove
Mexico City 🇲🇽
Remove
New York City 🇺🇸
Remove
Panama City 🇵🇦
Remove
Population 926,426 1,768,073 8,850,000 8,323,340 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) Hungarian Spanish English (de facto) Spanish
Level of English Very high High Moderate Very high Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - June, September - November March - May, October, November April - June, September - November December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1230 $1867 $5431 $2359
Rent $1650 $499 $778 $2891 $1036
Groceries $243 $108 $281 $383 $236
Dining out $396 $202 $182 $656 $371
Cafe $66 $29 $49 $72 $43
Coworking space $331 $120 $159 $326 $157
Mobile internet $40 $9 $25 $45 $21
Public transportation $110 $36 $11 $220 $12
Taxis $73 $27 $9 $78 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $13 $24 $30 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $81 $100 $35
Museums and sights $11 $7 $20 $74 $9
Nightlife $124 $43 $64 $195 $117
Gym $62 $37 $69 $55 $37
Yoga $139 $48 $65 $197 $163
Massage $89 $26 $51 $109 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Telenor Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Bolt, Fotaxi Uber Uber, Lyft Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable 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. 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. Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine.
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 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. Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants 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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow