Austin vs Berlin vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Mexico City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 8,053,663 15,520,000 517,000 8,850,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Vietnamese Turkish Portuguese Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Moderate Low Very high Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September January, February, October - December April - June, September and October March - May, September, October March - May, October, November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1167 $659 $1984 $1867
Rent $1650 $939 $503 $354 $965 $778
Groceries $243 $188 $151 $44 $136 $281
Dining out $396 $271 $134 $81 $271 $182
Cafe $66 $57 $39 $18 $37 $49
Coworking space $331 $174 $72 $49 $164 $159
Mobile internet $40 $23 $4 $3 $24 $25
Public transportation $110 $88 $20 $6 $63 $11
Taxis $73 $58 $13 $6 $27 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $0 $2 $18 $24
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $3 $11 $29 $81
Museums and sights $11 $37 $4 $15 $24 $20
Nightlife $124 $63 $89 $22 $47 $64
Gym $62 $66 $57 $9 $65 $69
Yoga $139 $99 $57 $23 $65 $65
Massage $89 $56 $21 $15 $50 $51
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow