on $100k a year, leaving Orlando

change
Columbus, OH cityscape

from orlando

Columbus

oh · metro 2.2M

a dispatch from

columbus

OH

39.96°N

83.00°W

Columbus is Ohio State on autumn Saturdays (the Horseshoe holds 100,000+ and they all wear scarlet), German Village's cobblestone streets and brick cottages, and a Short North gallery scene that punches well above its weight. It's quietly become a test market for the rest of America because the demographics line up so neatly. The food scene leans young, weird, and good. 'Buckeyes' here can mean either the football team or the chocolate-peanut-butter candy.

metro2.2M

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$94

below Orlando's monthly cost

Columbus and Orlando land close on cost. The reasons to move are about how you'd live, not what you'd save.
landable, recorded on the columbus entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,511/mo

22% cheaper than Orlando(vs $1,937/mo)

02state income tax

3.99%

$333/mo more in state tax than Orlando

vs 0% in Orlando

03after rent

$6,490/mo

$94 more than Orlando

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$350k

13% cheaper than Orlando

vs $402k in Orlando

05metro size

2.2M

vs 2.8M in Orlando

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

171

pleasant days a year, in columbus.

Orlando actually gets more: 216 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 29 days below 20° vs Orlando's 0.

Things to do run about even with Orlando.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

57/100

8% lower than Orlando

vs 62/100 in Orlando

Closest outdoor draw: Alum Creek State Park, 16.2 mi.

·walk score®

85/100

12% lower than Orlando

vs 97/100 in Orlando

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

32

78% fewer than Orlando

vs 146 nonstops in Orlando

04 · see also

if columbus appeals, also worth a look:

compare columbus with: