Whether for higher education or a job, moving to a new city presents you with its own set of challenges, but none more formidable than finding a roof over your head. Should you get your own place or save money by staying at a PG or hostel? That is a question a lot of people grapple with when they first land in a new town. Although there aren’t a lot of major differences between PG and hostel, their subtle distinctions can influence daily experiences, personal development, and overall satisfaction.
Let’s start by comparing factors like cost, privacy, amenities, location, social, and environment factors.
Understanding PG and Hostel Accommodations
Hostels and PGs are two of the most widely available accommodations in India. Most outstation students and professionals in the country prefer these living spaces because they are pocket friendly. However, there are plenty of PGs and hostels that are not properly maintained. This is because they either run on a very tight budget, or the operators only prioritise profits over residents’ wellbeing.
Often, the quality of these accommodations is directly related to the prices they charge. Usually, higher charges translate into more amenities for the residents, but that doesn’t hold true for all these spaces. So, before getting into the nitty-gritties of the differences between PG and hostel, let’s try to understand what each of them is, individually.
What is a PG?
To understand the difference between PG and hostel, let’s first try to get an idea of the former. In PG (Paying Guest) accommodations, individuals have the option to choose between a shared and a private room. These properties are usually owned by a landlord who lives on-site or nearby. These properties are often leased out to other businesses that pay a fixed amount to the property owner and take charge of the day-to-day operations.
PGs are popular among young working professionals and college students. They offer furnished rooms and basic services like meals, laundry, and housekeeping. PGs function like semi-independent homes. Tenants in these accommodations enjoy more freedom, comfort, and sometimes, better hygiene.
Here are some pros and cons of living in a PG:
Pros
· PGs are affordable and make budgeting easier
· These spaces also score high on convenience as they provide most of the basic amenities
· Community living is generally quite good in a PG
· Paying guest properties are usually located close to offices and educational institutes
Cons
· Privacy is restricted to mostly personal spaces
· Quality of food is often not to up to the mark
· Only a few basic amenities are included in the package
What is a Hostel?
A hostel is a larger, dormitory-style accommodation with bunk beds. They are designed to house multiple occupants in shared rooms. Hostels are often run by educational institutions or private businesses.
These accommodations prioritise affordability and discipline. Most hostels follow strict routines and rules. Some hostels may also offer meals in a mess facility at fixed times, which is why these spaces are ideal for both students and budget travellers.
Hostels promote community living and offer a structured environment. However, comfort and customisation are often limited.
Here are a few advantages and drawbacks of living in a hostel:
Pros
· Hostels offer a lot of opportunities for social interactions
· Residents in hostels do not have to deal with nosy landlords
· These accommodations are an excellent option for short stays
Cons
· Residents must follow all rules and regulations
· Dormitory-style rooms may feel crowded
· There are not enough private spaces
· Noise levels are usually high, as there are a lot of people staying in the same room
Key Differences Between PG and Hostel
Ownership and Management
A stark difference between PG and hostel is made apparent by the nature of ownership and management. PGs are privately owned and managed by individuals or families. Owners often stay within the property or have caretakers to ensure oversight. Tenants in PGs often have the option to negotiate rents, rules, and services. These accommodations are flexible in terms of check-in/check-out time. Maintenance in paying guest accommodations is also largely dependent on the owner and their policies.
In contrast, hostels are institutionally run or operated by commercial entities. Admins in hostels enforce uniform guidelines and require residents to follow fixed schedules. Maintenance is also handled by these admins who follow fixed cleaning schedules.
Cost Comparison
Cost plays a vital role in choosing between hostel and PG. PGs typically charge more because they offer more amenities and have fewer occupants per room. In metro cities, PGs can charge anywhere between INR 8,000 and INR 20,000 per month. These accommodations also require residents to submit a fixed deposit, which is usually equivalent to three months’ rent.
Hostels, on the other hand, are budget friendly, but these spaces compromise on privacy and comfort. Charges in hostels often cover mess food, electricity, and shared resources. Rent for hostel accommodations can range from INR 3,000 to INR 10,000 per month. For short stays, hostel accommodation can cost INR 1,000 to INR 2,200 per day or higher, depending on the property. Most of these spaces also have lower security deposit requirements in comparison to PGs.
The difference between PG and hostel from a comfort and privacy standpoint would be that PGs justify their higher price, but hostels may be suitable for those with tighter budgets.
Amenities and Facilities
PGs often come with a wide range of modern amenities. These include Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, laundry services, and attached bathrooms with geysers. Some PGs also offer refrigerators, microwave ovens, and induction stoves in each room. These amenities ensure a better quality of life for paying guests.
Amenities in hostels are more basic in comparison. One of the noticeable differences between PG and hostel is that most hostels do not offer personal appliances. Common toilets, limited electrical points, and shared study halls are standard features in hostels. While premium hostel chains are bridging this gap by offering more than just basic amenities, overall, most hostels only cater to collective needs.
Privacy and Personal Space
Privacy is a major differentiator in the hostel vs PG comparison. PG accommodations offer more privacy, as they have fewer roommates per room in comparison to hostels. PGs have private washrooms and may allow tenants to customise their rooms with posters, wall hangings, or paintings. Furthermore, most of these spaces also have common areas on every floor, improving privacy for tenants.
Hostels follow a dormitory layout with up to 10 to 15 beds per room. These spaces have shared washrooms and almost no private spaces. Despite the lack of privacy, individuals prefer hostels because they emphasise group dynamics.
Rules and Regulations
Another prominent difference between PG and hostel is the adherence to rules and regulations. Hostels impose strict regulations including curfews, visitor restrictions, and limited appliance use. They also have fixed timings for meals, which means if residents are late, they are not served food. These rules are often non-negotiable. Hostels are known for ensuring discipline and emphasising time management.
In contrast, PGs are relatively lenient. Some PGs do enforce quiet hours or guest policies but can often be more flexible. They allow late entries with prior notice, making it useful for professionals who work late shifts or have irregular schedules.
Social Environment and Networking
Hostels offer a vibrant social environment. They encourage interactions through shared activities and common spaces. Some hostel operators organise cultural nights, sports meets, and other group activities. This helps build a strong peer support system.
On the other hand, PGs can feel more isolated. This is because tenants spend most of their time in their rooms, except for meal timings. However, shared dining and living areas can still serve the opportunity for interactions.
Those seeking vibrant communities may prefer hostels, but PGs are better for personal space lovers.
Here is a table showing the key differences between PG and hostel:
| Key differentiators | Hostel | PG |
| Cost | Less expensive | Moderately expensive |
| Payment | Billed on per day and per month basis | Billed monthly |
| Room types | Shared rooms | Options for both private and shared rooms |
| Amenities | Wi-Fi, and other basic amenities are included, additional charges may be applicable for food, laundry, etc. | Accommodation includes Wi-Fi, food, laundry, refrigerators, microwave ovens etc. |
| Environment | Good for socialising, but may not be ideal for studying or working, depending on the type of hostel | Good for working and studying as there are more private spaces |
| Security | Moderate | Good |
| Privacy | Less private because rooms have multiple beds | More private as there are fewer beds per room and more personal spaces than hostels |
| Time restrictions | Residents are required to return within a set time | Late night entries are allowed |
| Networking opportunities | Plenty of networking opportunities | Limited scope for networking |
| Cleanliness | Generally clean but there are exceptions | Cleanliness is taken seriously in premium PGs |
| Duration of stay | Usually, short-term | Generally long-term, but there’s also option for short-term stays |
Choosing Between PG and Hostel: Factors to Consider
Choosing between hostel and PG is an important decision. You must take into consideration the budget, your personal preferences, academic or work commitments, and choice of location. Safety is another major factor. PGs in gated societies may offer more enhanced security than hostels.
Another important factor to consider is the level of freedom you want in your living space. If you are looking for flexibility in terms of entry and exit timings, you will be better off in a PG. However, if you follow a fixed schedule and prefer social interactions, hostels will be a better choice. Both options have merit, so to get the best out of your decision, you must evaluate your personal needs and do a PG vs hostel comparison to understand which type of accommodation aligns with your needs.
Having said that, other factors, including networking opportunities and room types, should also be considered, and both the accommodation types must be evaluated against these criteria to arrive at a conclusion on whether you should choose a hostel or a PG.
Conclusion
The difference between PG and hostel is more than just cost or comfort. It shapes daily experiences and long-term habits. PGs offer autonomy, better amenities, and flexibility. Hostels prioritise affordability, discipline, and community.
Each model caters to specific needs. While students seek routine benefit from hostels, professionals and independent learners thrive in PGs. That’s why choosing wisely will ensure long-term peace of mind, better productivity, and personal growth.
FAQs on PG vs Hostel
Are hostel and PG the same?
No, hostels and PGs are not the same. They are quite different from each other. They differ in terms of structure, management, and lifestyle offerings. Hostels tend to have a richer social environment than PGs and are more regulated. PGs, on the other hand, offer more amenities, privacy, and flexibility. PGs are also more expensive than hostels.
How is PG different from rent?
A PG is different from rental accommodations in several ways. PG tenants do not have to pay for additional services like food and housekeeping, whereas renting a house only includes the space, and renters must manage meals, cleaning, and other tasks on their own. Rented spaces also offer more privacy than PGs and are more expensive.
What are the disadvantages of PG?
The disadvantages of PG include inconsistent food quality, lack of social engagement, and dependency on owner management. The cost of living in a PG is often higher than in hostels. Privacy is also limited to a certain extent in a PG. The only personal space for individuals is their rooms that they may or may not have to share with others depending on the type of room they choose.
Should I stay in hostel or PG?
Whether you should choose a hostel or a PG will depend on your routine, affordability, and need for social interactions. If you value privacy, comfort, and amenities, opt for a PG. However, if you have a tight budget or value social interactions more, then you’d be better off in a hostel.
