Signals
Columbus
Tupelo
Growth
34 · Bottom 26%
vs39 · Bottom 32%
Climate
72 · Top 32%
vs71 · Top 33%
Physical resilience
65 · Top 37%
vs68 · Top 32%
Housing affordability
88 · Bottom 32%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
50 · Bottom 13%
vs60 · Bottom 21%
Economic stability
33 · Bottom 25%
vs43 · Bottom 40%
Measured values
| Metric | Columbus | Tupelo | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 325,615 | 132,254 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $59,336 | $63,170 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $33,493 | $33,987 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 117/sq mi | 95/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $197,300 | $170,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,069 | $878 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 57.8% | 73.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 24.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 18.7% | 15.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 623 | 176 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 1.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -5.0% | 6.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 93°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 38°F | 34°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 48.8" | 57.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 84 mi | 65 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.2 min | 24.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.5 | 37.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Columbus
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Tupelo
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Columbus, GA-AL Metro Area · Tupelo, MS Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology