Austin vs Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Lisbon vs Rio de Janeiro vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 2,900,000 15,520,000 144,900 517,000 6,718,903 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Spanish Turkish Greek Portuguese Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Low High Very high Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Galeão International Airport Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November September - December April - June, September and October March - May, October - December March - May, September, October January - March, December March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1321 $659 $1959 $1984 $1833 $1976
Rent $1650 $844 $354 $678 $965 $1066 $869
Groceries $243 $98 $44 $157 $136 $95 $146
Dining out $396 $121 $81 $261 $271 $210 $292
Cafe $66 $25 $18 $56 $37 $25 $42
Coworking space $331 $95 $49 $209 $164 $130 $152
Mobile internet $40 $11 $3 $35 $24 $7 $16
Public transportation $110 $9 $6 $63 $63 $33 $38
Taxis $73 $9 $6 $42 $27 $14 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $14 $2 $45 $18 $16 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $24 $11 $28 $29 $55 $73
Museums and sights $11 $4 $15 $8 $24 $26 $44
Nightlife $124 $23 $22 $110 $47 $54 $66
Gym $62 $14 $9 $107 $65 $31 $34
Yoga $139 $19 $23 $105 $65 $40 $87
Massage $89 $10 $15 $54 $50 $32 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone Tim, Claro, Vivo Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, FreeNow Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 401 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow