A new list just dropped ranking the 100 Best Cities in America, and Columbus made the cut at a very respectable #33.
Here’s what they had to say about us:
“You’ll be hearing more about Ohio’s capital soon enough. The Midwest magnet added more than 30,000 residents in 2024, lifting the metro to 2.23 million and growing 38% faster than the U.S. average, fueled by Ohio State talent and steady in-migration. Intel’s $28-billion Ohio One campus will ultimately field 7,000 construction workers, promising years of high-skill paydays. Amazon is adding another $10 billion and 1,000 jobs, while Google tacked on $2.3 billion to its three-site footprint. Amgen’s 300,000-square-foot biomanufacturing plant came online in 2024.
Downtown is building fast, with Phase 2 of the Scioto Peninsula, the 28-story Merchant Building targeting a 2026 debut, and Astor Park’s first 261 apartments underway beside the Crew’s stadium. With strong Labor Force Participation and a Top 25 ranking in overall Prosperity, Columbus is also #20 in Housing Affordability. Rents may have climbed to $1,337 this year, but with 95% occupancy and median home values at $253,000, there’s still room to grow. Oh, and we just broke ground on a new $2-billion terminal at John Glenn International Airport.”
Not bad, right?
But also… we’d me remiss if we didn’t make the case for being ranked even higher.
What They Missed
Yes, we’re obviously one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. And yes, we’re attracting big business like it’s our full-time job. But if you’ve spent even one weekend exploring Columbus, you know we’ve got so much more going for us than just affordability and construction projects.
Let’s start with our food scene… You can find everything from top-tier fine dining to tacos out of a food truck that you’ll dream about for the rest of your life.. Our nightlife is criminally underrated. Our coffee shops are highly photogenic and delicious. Our neighborhoods are full of character, and our people are friendly without being fake about it.
So sure, we’re thrilled to be on the list. But to be honest, we’re still side-eyeing a few cities that ranked higher (looking at you, Baltimore).
KIDDING!
Anyone who’s walked down High Street on a fall Saturday or eaten a Mikey’s Late Night Slice after a concert at KEMBA Live knows this city hits a little different, and we’re proud to constantly be seen as an underrated town.
Congrats to us, Columbus. We all earned it. And if the rest of the country is just now catching on…
Better late than never! 😊
Read the full to see where other cities ranked here.