01 · the cities
Columbus
Columbus is on the Chattahoochee River, with the longest urban whitewater course in the world (since 2013) running right through downtown for rafting and surfing waves. Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) is the city's anchor. The Riverwalk stretches for miles. The downtown has come back nicely with restaurants and breweries. Smaller and friendlier than the city's industrial reputation suggests.
full dispatch→Springfield
Springfield is the birthplace of Route 66 (the road was officially named in a meeting here in 1926), Bass Pro Shops' world headquarters, and the gateway to the Ozarks. Wonders of Wildlife (next to the Bass Pro store) is genuinely one of the best aquariums in America. The city itself is friendly, affordable, and surprisingly leafy. Branson is 30 miles south for the lake-and-show experience.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,264/mo
$1,249/mo
Median home price
Median home price
$208k
$268k
$60k more than Columbus
State income tax
State income tax
5.5%
4.7%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,612/mo
$6,693/mo
Springfield has $81/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
177 days
170 days
7 fewer than Columbus
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
39 days
12 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
2 days
20 days
days below 20°F per year
Columbus has 27 more days above 95°F each year than Springfield. Springfield drops below 20°F on 18 more days per year than Columbus.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
47 / 100
50 / 100
3.0 pts ahead of Columbus
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
1 routes
9 routes
8 more direct routes than Columbus
Metro size
Metro size
329k metro
491k metro
Columbus has 1.4x more events per month than Springfield.
the verdict
3
Columbus
categories won
5
Springfield
categories won
Springfield wins on money and lifestyle. Columbus has the edge on weather.
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