Austin vs Budapest vs Hanoi vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 926,426 1,768,073 8,053,663 880,691 259,453 1,270,169
Official language(s) English (de facto) Hungarian Vietnamese Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high High Moderate Low Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - June, September - November January, February, October - December December - April January - May, October - December April-June, September-October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $1230 $1167 $2359 $2143 $1289
Rent $1650 $499 $503 $1036 $923 $567
Groceries $243 $108 $151 $236 $127 $10
Dining out $396 $202 $134 $371 $207 $227
Cafe $66 $29 $39 $43 $42 $27
Coworking space $331 $120 $72 $157 $160 $140
Mobile internet $40 $9 $4 $21 $21 $10
Public transportation $110 $36 $20 $12 $17 $30
Taxis $73 $27 $13 $48 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $13 $0 $0 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $3 $35 $97 $18
Museums and sights $11 $7 $4 $9 $217 $12
Nightlife $124 $43 $89 $117 $77 $82
Gym $62 $37 $57 $37 $42 $23
Yoga $139 $48 $57 $163 $54 $62
Massage $89 $26 $21 $75 $101 $29
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Telenor Viettel, Mobifone Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Bolt, Fotaxi Grab, GoViet Uber, Tu Chofer N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. 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. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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 Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole 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 Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's 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 104 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow