Austin vs Berlin vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Seoul

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 8,053,663 15,520,000 8,850,000 9,963,452
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Korean
Level of English Very high Very high Moderate Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September January, February, October - December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November March - May, September - November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1167 $659 $1867 $2184
Rent $1650 $939 $503 $354 $778 $797
Groceries $243 $188 $151 $44 $281 $356
Dining out $396 $271 $134 $81 $182 $211
Cafe $66 $57 $39 $18 $49 $69
Coworking space $331 $174 $72 $49 $159 $222
Mobile internet $40 $23 $4 $3 $25 $40
Public transportation $110 $88 $20 $6 $11 $40
Taxis $73 $58 $13 $6 $9 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $0 $2 $24 $13
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $3 $11 $81 $39
Museums and sights $11 $37 $4 $15 $20 $6
Nightlife $124 $63 $89 $22 $64 $93
Gym $62 $66 $57 $9 $69 $69
Yoga $139 $99 $57 $23 $65 $112
Massage $89 $56 $21 $15 $51 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
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 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber Uber, Kakao
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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 Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
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 Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow