Austin vs Chiang Mai vs Playa del Carmen vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 1,166,978 259,453 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - April January - May, October - December March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (฿) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $974 $2143 $1976
Rent $1650 $274 $923 $869
Groceries $243 $169 $127 $146
Dining out $396 $108 $207 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $42 $42
Coworking space $331 $95 $160 $152
Mobile internet $40 $11 $21 $16
Public transportation $110 $60 $17 $38
Taxis $73 $20 $9 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $10 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $8 $97 $73
Museums and sights $11 $8 $217 $44
Nightlife $124 $62 $77 $66
Gym $62 $41 $42 $34
Yoga $139 $55 $54 $87
Massage $89 $10 $101 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS, DTAC Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab N/A Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow