01 · the cities
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→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→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,249/mo
$1,264/mo
Median home price
Median home price
$268k
$208k
$60k less than Springfield
State income tax
State income tax
4.7%
5.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,693/mo
$6,612/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
170 days
177 days
7 more than Springfield
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
12 days
39 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
20 days
2 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
50 / 100
47 / 100
3.0 pts behind Springfield
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
9 routes
1 routes
8 fewer direct routes than Springfield
Metro size
Metro size
491k metro
329k metro
Springfield has 1.4x fewer events per month than Columbus.
the verdict
5
Springfield
categories won
3
Columbus
categories won
Springfield wins on money and lifestyle. Columbus has the edge on weather.
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