City Comparison
Ottumwa vs Gujranwala
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gujranwala scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ottumwa
Gujranwala
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gujranwala is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
95% lower than in Ottumwa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ottumwa's average rent is
1474% higher than Gujranwala's.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Gujranwala | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $54 | +1474% |
| Groceries | $350 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $100 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $32 | +588% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $86 | +1865% |
| Cost Index | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ottumwa offers 1609% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Gujranwala |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $2,808 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ottumwa runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ottumwa comes out ahead with 274 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ottumwa sees 19.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Gujranwala |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 274 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Gujranwala has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Ottumwa.
Ottumwa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ottumwa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Gujranwala |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gujranwala is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Gujranwala is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ottumwa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Gujranwala |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,514 | 2,793,969 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 3.62% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.42% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ottumwa
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Ottumwa are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 15 minutes, minimizing daily transit stress.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities are available along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
The local cost of living index is well below the US average, stretching household budgets further.
A vibrant cultural and events calendar is hosted at the modern Bridge View Center downtown.
Drawbacks
Average household incomes and wages lag behind national medians per US Census Bureau American Community Survey data.
Certain heavy manufacturing and industrial sectors experience cyclical employment fluctuations.
Public transportation options outside of core fixed bus routes are limited for non-drivers.
Some older housing stock requires significant weatherization and energy-efficiency updates for harsh winters.
Access to specialized medical sub-specialties requires travel to larger regional hospital hubs.
Gujranwala
Advantages
Significant industrial hub with over 8,000 small and medium units, offering diverse employment opportunities.
Recognized by the World Bank as the 6th best city in Pakistan for ease of doing business, indicating a favorable entrepreneurial climate.
Cost of living is highly affordable, with average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center at approximately $54 USD per month as of June 2026.
Crime rates have seen a significant reduction, with shop robberies down by 47% and house robberies by 29% in early 2025 due to police efforts.
Ongoing major investments in healthcare, including a new Rs16 billion cardiac institute and upgraded hospital facilities, are improving medical services.
Drawbacks
Specific data for several key metrics like median household income, unemployment rate, median age, transit score, and walkability score are not readily available for 2026.
Average monthly net salary is relatively low at approximately $234 USD, reflecting the economic conditions of the region.
While improving, the healthcare quality score is noted as 32 (out of 100) by one source, suggesting room for further development.
Summers are sweltering and humid, with temperatures reaching 36–42 °C (97–108 °F), which can be challenging for residents.
Car dependency is likely medium to high due to developing public transportation infrastructure, potentially leading to traffic congestion.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ottumwa
#231Iowa, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
Gujranwala
#8Punjab, Pakistan
73.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$54
Avg Salary
$2,808
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.62%
Unemployment
5.42%
Livability
65
Business
70
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