Austin vs Barbados vs Buenos Aires vs Madrid vs New York City vs Rio de Janeiro

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Remove
Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
Remove
Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
Remove
Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
Remove
New York City ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Remove
Rio de Janeiro ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท
Remove
Population 926,426 110,000 2,900,000 6,578,0179 8,323,340 6,718,903
Official language(s) English (de facto) English, Bajan Creole Spanish Spanish English (de facto) Portuguese
Level of English Very high Very high High Moderate Very high Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Galeรฃo International Airport
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - May September - December March - May, September - November April - June, September - November January - March, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) USD - US Dollar ($) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes No No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2702 $1321 $2498 $5431 $1833
Rent $1650 $1054 $844 $1174 $2891 $1066
Groceries $243 $234 $98 $175 $383 $95
Dining out $396 $345 $121 $313 $656 $210
Cafe $66 $75 $25 $51 $72 $25
Coworking space $331 $321 $95 $196 $326 $130
Mobile internet $40 $49 $11 $10 $45 $7
Public transportation $110 $35 $9 $78 $220 $33
Taxis $73 $106 $9 $44 $78 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $14 $49 $30 $16
Sport and cultural events $54 $37 $24 $54 $100 $55
Museums and sights $11 $36 $4 $20 $74 $26
Nightlife $124 $96 $23 $82 $195 $54
Gym $62 $86 $14 $44 $55 $31
Yoga $139 $130 $19 $142 $197 $40
Massage $89 $99 $10 $64 $109 $32
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Digicel Movistar, Claro, Personal Orange, Movistar, Vodafone AT&T, Verizon Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft None available Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Lyft Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Bajan cuisine features an eclectic mix of European, Asian, and Caribbean styles resulting in bold, tasty and crunchy meat or fish dishes with lots of spices, lime juice, thyme and salads laden with local vegetables and hot side dishes. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas 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! Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine 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.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 54 options on Happy Cow