Austin vs Barcelona vs Budapest vs Hanoi vs Madrid vs Playa del Carmen

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 1,768,073 8,053,663 6,578,0179 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Hungarian Vietnamese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High High Moderate Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November March - June, September - November January, February, October - December March - May, September - November January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1230 $1167 $2498 $2143
Rent $1650 $932 $499 $503 $1174 $923
Groceries $243 $121 $108 $151 $175 $127
Dining out $396 $403 $202 $134 $313 $207
Cafe $66 $45 $29 $39 $51 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $120 $72 $196 $160
Mobile internet $40 $10 $9 $4 $10 $21
Public transportation $110 $127 $36 $20 $78 $17
Taxis $73 $48 $27 $13 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $13 $0 $49 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $24 $3 $54 $97
Museums and sights $11 $33 $7 $4 $20 $217
Nightlife $124 $112 $43 $89 $82 $77
Gym $62 $81 $37 $57 $44 $42
Yoga $139 $93 $48 $57 $142 $54
Massage $89 $59 $26 $21 $64 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Telenor Viettel, Mobifone 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 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Bolt, Fotaxi Grab, GoViet Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now N/A
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not 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. Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. 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. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
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 Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food 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! Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow