Budapest vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs New York City vs Playa del Carmen vs Sofia

Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 1,768,073 15,520,000 8,850,000 8,323,340 259,453 1,270,169
Official language(s) Hungarian Turkish Spanish English (de facto) Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English High Low Moderate Very high Moderate High
Main airport Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October, November April - June, September - November January - May, October - December April-June, September-October
Currency HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1230 $659 $1867 $5431 $2143 $1289
Rent $499 $354 $778 $2891 $923 $567
Groceries $108 $44 $281 $383 $127 $10
Dining out $202 $81 $182 $656 $207 $227
Cafe $29 $18 $49 $72 $42 $27
Coworking space $120 $49 $159 $326 $160 $140
Mobile internet $9 $3 $25 $45 $21 $10
Public transportation $36 $6 $11 $220 $17 $30
Taxis $27 $6 $9 $78 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $13 $2 $24 $30 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $24 $11 $81 $100 $97 $18
Museums and sights $7 $15 $20 $74 $217 $12
Nightlife $43 $22 $64 $195 $77 $82
Gym $37 $9 $69 $55 $42 $23
Yoga $48 $23 $65 $197 $54 $62
Massage $26 $15 $51 $109 $101 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar AT&T, Verizon Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 10-15% for restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi Uber Uber, Lyft N/A TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
Local food specialities Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow