Austin vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Prague vs Rio de Janeiro vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 4,617,560 15,520,000 1,305,737 6,718,903 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Czech Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Very high Low High Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Galeão International Airport Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - May, September - November April - June, September and October June - October January - March, December March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1549 $659 $1806 $1833 $1976
Rent $1650 $618 $354 $780 $1066 $869
Groceries $243 $129 $44 $158 $95 $146
Dining out $396 $269 $81 $240 $210 $292
Cafe $66 $32 $18 $53 $25 $42
Coworking space $331 $151 $49 $175 $130 $152
Mobile internet $40 $27 $3 $24 $7 $16
Public transportation $110 $55 $6 $61 $33 $38
Taxis $73 $21 $6 $33 $14 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $49 $2 $19 $16 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $19 $11 $19 $55 $73
Museums and sights $11 $15 $15 $35 $26 $44
Nightlife $124 $43 $22 $50 $54 $66
Gym $62 $36 $9 $56 $31 $34
Yoga $139 $56 $23 $66 $40 $87
Massage $89 $30 $15 $37 $32 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, T-Mobile Tim, Claro, Vivo Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 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, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Liftago Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water 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. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! 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 Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. 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 Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés 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 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow