Austin vs Berlin vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Playa del Carmen

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 8,053,663 15,520,000 2,427,000 259,453
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Moderate Low Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September January, February, October - December April - June, September and October January - April, December January - May, October - December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1167 $659 $1293 $2143
Rent $1650 $939 $503 $354 $732 $923
Groceries $243 $188 $151 $44 $87 $127
Dining out $396 $271 $134 $81 $131 $207
Cafe $66 $57 $39 $18 $18 $42
Coworking space $331 $174 $72 $49 $96 $160
Mobile internet $40 $23 $4 $3 $16 $21
Public transportation $110 $88 $20 $6 $21 $17
Taxis $73 $58 $13 $6 $14 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $0 $2 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $3 $11 $8 $97
Museums and sights $11 $37 $4 $15 $9 $217
Nightlife $124 $63 $89 $22 $73 $77
Gym $62 $66 $57 $9 $15 $42
Yoga $139 $99 $57 $23 $54 $54
Massage $89 $56 $21 $15 $20 $101
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Grab, GoViet BiTaksi EasyTaxi N/A
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow