Austin vs Barcelona vs Berlin vs Istanbul vs Porto

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 3,400,000 15,520,000 237,559
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish German Turkish Portuguese
Level of English Very high High Very high Low Very High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November May - September April - June, September and October May - September
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $2200 $659 $1759
Rent $1650 $932 $939 $354 $717
Groceries $243 $121 $188 $44 $148
Dining out $396 $403 $271 $81 $280
Cafe $66 $45 $57 $18 $45
Coworking space $331 $213 $174 $49 $96
Mobile internet $40 $10 $23 $3 $21
Public transportation $110 $127 $88 $6 $95
Taxis $73 $48 $58 $6 $25
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $17 $2 $10
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $64 $11 $45
Museums and sights $11 $33 $37 $15 $24
Nightlife $124 $112 $63 $22 $66
Gym $62 $81 $66 $9 $56
Yoga $139 $93 $99 $23 $82
Massage $89 $59 $56 $15 $48
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, MEO, NOS
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify
Tap water Drinkable 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. Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow