Bucharest vs Budapest vs Cape Town vs Madrid vs Medellin

Bucharest 🇷🇴
Remove
Budapest 🇭🇺
Remove
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Madrid 🇪🇸
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Population 1,830,000 1,768,073 4,617,560 6,578,0179 2,427,000
Official language(s) Romanian Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish
Level of English High High Very high Moderate Low
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)
Most common months to visit April - October March - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, September - November January - April, December
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1351 $1230 $1549 $2498 $1293
Rent $615 $499 $618 $1174 $732
Groceries $114 $108 $129 $175 $87
Dining out $165 $202 $269 $313 $131
Cafe $38 $29 $32 $51 $18
Coworking space $133 $120 $151 $196 $96
Mobile internet $7 $9 $27 $10 $16
Public transportation $21 $36 $55 $78 $21
Taxis $9 $27 $21 $44 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $13 $49 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $29 $24 $19 $54 $8
Museums and sights $29 $7 $15 $20 $9
Nightlife $45 $43 $43 $82 $73
Gym $30 $37 $36 $44 $15
Yoga $59 $48 $56 $142 $54
Massage $31 $26 $30 $64 $20
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo
Tipping 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats
Local food specialities Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi 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 Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa
Eat like a local Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow