Berlin vs Budapest vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Mexico City

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Population 3,400,000 1,768,073 4,617,560 517,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000
Official language(s) German Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Very high Very high Moderate Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit May - September March - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1230 $1549 $1984 $2498 $1867
Rent $939 $499 $618 $965 $1174 $778
Groceries $188 $108 $129 $136 $175 $281
Dining out $271 $202 $269 $271 $313 $182
Cafe $57 $29 $32 $37 $51 $49
Coworking space $174 $120 $151 $164 $196 $159
Mobile internet $23 $9 $27 $24 $10 $25
Public transportation $88 $36 $55 $63 $78 $11
Taxis $58 $27 $21 $27 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $13 $49 $18 $49 $24
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $19 $29 $54 $81
Museums and sights $37 $7 $15 $24 $20 $20
Nightlife $63 $43 $43 $47 $82 $64
Gym $66 $37 $36 $65 $44 $69
Yoga $99 $48 $56 $65 $142 $65
Massage $56 $26 $30 $50 $64 $51
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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. 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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 Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana 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 Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants 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 844 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow