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Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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| Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 6,578,0179 | 8,850,000 |
| Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | Very high | High | Very high | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | May - September | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November |
| Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) |
| Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $2200 | $2498 | $1867 |
| Rent | $1650 | $932 | $939 | $1174 | $778 |
| Groceries | $243 | $121 | $188 | $175 | $281 |
| Dining out | $396 | $403 | $271 | $313 | $182 |
| Cafe | $66 | $45 | $57 | $51 | $49 |
| Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $174 | $196 | $159 |
| Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $23 | $10 | $25 |
| Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $88 | $78 | $11 |
| Taxis | $73 | $48 | $58 | $44 | $9 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $17 | $49 | $24 |
| Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $64 | $54 | $81 |
| Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $37 | $20 | $20 |
| Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $63 | $82 | $64 |
| Gym | $62 | $81 | $66 | $44 | $69 |
| Yoga | $139 | $93 | $99 | $142 | $65 |
| Massage | $89 | $59 | $56 | $64 | $51 |
| SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar |
| 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 | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber |
| Tap water | Drinkable | 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. | 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 | 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 |
| 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 | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | 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 | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops | 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, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow |