Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad, brothers from the same mother, are the two pillars of pride for all Telugu people, each carrying a unique charm. Though both are wonderful cities in their own right, factors like jobs, education, and healthcare differ and matter for those wondering which is better to live in. And so, here’s a detailed, side-by-side breakdown to help you make a smart move.
Job Opportunities
Hyderabad:
Hyderabad is a tech magnet and one of India’s largest IT cities. It is home to many big tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook and many more. Its landmark HITEC City drives its IT, pharma, and finance industries, and provides endless opportunities and career growth. The average pay for a graduate in tech here is Rs 8.2 LPA (source: Indeed).
Vizag:
On the other hand, Vizag has a large share of its workforce in traditional industries like ports, steel, seafood and pharma.
The city has a budding IT industry. Many big investments, such as Google Data Centre, TCS, and also government development initiatives, such as the Fintech Valley and IT SEZ expansion, are likely to increase its technical workforce. Currently, Vizag can be a great starting point for many techies, but career growth seems stagnant after a certain point. The average pay in tech here is Rs 4.3 LPA (source: Indeed).
Education
Hyderabad:
As a tier 1 city, Hyderabad has higher expenses for education, whether it be schooling or graduate-level education. This city is much more expensive compared to its Telugu brother.
From SSC to IB and ICSE, Hyderabad has multiple boards and curricula to choose from. The city has top-quality education for children.
For comparison of price, we are using the fee structure of Oakridge International School due to its availability in both cities:
Nursery to Grade 12 ranges from Rs 3.6 Lakhs to 10.5 Lakhs (according to their official website)
When it comes to graduate-level education, Hyderabad is equipped with world-class institutes like the University of Hyderabad, IIT-H, Osmania University, BITS Pilani Hyderabad, Symbiosis Hyderabad, Indian School of Business (ISB), NALSAR, ICFAI and many more, giving the city an elite status in academics.
Vizag:
Vizag has good quality education, but the city might fall short compared to Hyderabad’s academic infrastructure. Schools in Vizag also offer many curricula for children from SSC to ICSE. For cost comparison, refer to the fee for Oakridge International Schools in Visakhapatnam:
Nursery to Grade 12 ranges from Rs 1.9 Lakhs to 8.1 Lakhs (according to their official website)
Now, talking about graduate-level institutions, Vizag has Andhra University, GITAM, IIM-Vizag, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Indian Maritime University (IMU), and Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU).
Upcoming Institutes such as the Global MedTech University and AI University will surely help Vizag turn into an academic powerhouse.
Transportation and Connectivity
Hyderabad:
Hyderabad has wheels, rails and wings wide enough to carry us to 15+ countries. The Hyderabad Metro can help one travel to most parts of the city at an affordable price. MMTS trains and TSRTC buses are used for daily commutes. There are also plenty of electric autos and carpool options.
Ride costs in Hyderabad (for comparison) are:
Uber (10 km): Rs 150–200
Rapido (10 km): Rs 100–120
Vizag:
Vizag is still catching up, with no metros or major airports yet. However, developments for both have been going on at a quick pace. The Bhogapuram International Airport is expected to be completed by 2026, and the Vizag Metro Rail DPR has been approved. As of now, APSRTC bus network is the city’s lifeline. Accessibility to all the major cities is provided by trains. The city also has cleaner roads and less traffic chaos when compared to Hyderabad.
Ride costs in Vizag are:
Uber (10 km): Rs 120–160
Rapido (10 km): Rs 70–100
Healthcare
Both cities offer top-notch healthcare for their residents, with more specialised expertise in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam offering care at a lower cost, comparatively.
Hyderabad:
The city contains many top-tier hospitals like Apollo, NIMS, and AIIMS, making it one of the best cities in India in terms of healthcare.
Vizag:
Visakhapatnam also has many healthcare centres like King George Hospital (KGH), Seven Hills, Medicover, Apollo, Care Hospital and many others. For super-speciality care, one might have to travel to Chennai or Hyderabad. However, when it comes to medications, Vizag offers medicines at a cheaper price compared to Hyderabad.
What should you choose?
Both Vizag and Hyderabad offer you an exceptional quality of life, but your choice depends on your priorities:
Hyderabad is ideal if you seek top-tier healthcare, education, thriving career opportunities, and a fast-paced urban lifestyle.
Vizag is perfect if you prefer a calm lifestyle, situated close to nature, affordable living, and a promising investment in future growth.
Whichever city you choose, you’ll find distinct advantages embedded into your way of life! If you want a detailed analysis of the cost of living for each city, then you can visit this website. And comment down for Part 2, or other city comparisons with Vizag.
Read more: The Great Vizag Dream: ₹8 Lakh Crore Investments, 5 Lakh Jobs, and a Global Future
Stay tuned to Yo! Vizag website or reach out to us on Instagram for Part 2, or other city comparisons with Vizag.
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