Austin vs Bangkok vs Cape Town vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Sofia vs Valencia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 4,617,560 6,578,0179 8,850,000 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Low Very high Moderate Moderate High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December March - May, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $1549 $2498 $1867 $1289 $1976
Rent $1650 $616 $618 $1174 $778 $567 $869
Groceries $243 $191 $129 $175 $281 $10 $146
Dining out $396 $168 $269 $313 $182 $227 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $32 $51 $49 $27 $42
Coworking space $331 $127 $151 $196 $159 $140 $152
Mobile internet $40 $23 $27 $10 $25 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $32 $55 $78 $11 $30 $38
Taxis $73 $19 $21 $44 $9 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $49 $49 $24 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $19 $54 $81 $18 $73
Museums and sights $11 $21 $15 $20 $20 $12 $44
Nightlife $124 $50 $43 $82 $64 $82 $66
Gym $62 $96 $36 $44 $69 $23 $34
Yoga $139 $98 $56 $142 $65 $62 $87
Massage $89 $11 $30 $64 $51 $29 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS MTN, Vodacom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Uber, Bolt Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow