City Comparison
Vicksburg vs Columbus
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Vicksburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Vicksburg
Columbus
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Columbus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Vicksburg.
| Metric | Vicksburg | Columbus | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $848 | +6% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $160 | +9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,785 | $1,678 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Columbus offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Columbus delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Vicksburg is estimated at
$42,000 vs $35,000 in Columbus.
| Metric | Vicksburg | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 56,471 idx |
| Household Income | $45,781 | $42,235 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Columbus sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Vicksburg | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.70°F | 65.70°F |
| Summer High | 89.50°F | 89.60°F |
| Winter Low | 41.00°F | 37.40°F |
| Rainfall | 48.50 in | 54.90 in |
| Snowfall | 1.10 in | 2.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 249 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Columbus scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Columbus leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vicksburg | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 25.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Columbus is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Vicksburg.
From a growth perspective, Vicksburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Vicksburg | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,060 | 23,348 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 41.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vicksburg
Advantages
Median home values in Vicksburg remain exceptionally affordable at roughly $149,000, sitting far below the national average.
Home to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), providing high-paying scientific and engineering careers.
Vicksburg ranked number one in projects per capita along the entire U.S. Mississippi River corridor for economic development investments.
Strategic logistical hub featuring one of the largest inland river ports and direct access to Interstate 20.
Rich historical and cultural amenities, including the Vicksburg National Military Park and vibrant riverfront recreation.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates and median household incomes lag behind national medians, presenting broader regional economic hurdles.
Public transportation options are very limited, making private vehicle ownership essential for daily life.
Local population figures have experienced modest multi-year declines as younger residents occasionally migrate to larger metros.
Walkability scores across the city are low, restricting pedestrian-only errand running outside of specific core blocks.
Prone to humid subtropical summer conditions with high seasonal temperatures and humidity [Open-Meteo].
Columbus
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $848 is significantly lower than the national average per Apartments.com 2026 data.
Home to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, offering robust regional healthcare access.
Rich historical heritage featuring dozens of preserved antebellum homes and vibrant cultural events.
Short average commute times of roughly 19 to 21 minutes per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic location within the growing Golden Triangle economic development zone.
Drawbacks
Median household income of $42,235 trails well behind national benchmarks per Census Bureau figures.
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options.
Poverty rate of approximately 21.3% presents ongoing socioeconomic challenges for the municipality.
Limited walkability scores outside of specific historic downtown zones.
Vulnerability to humid subtropical summer climate extremes with high seasonal temperatures.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Vicksburg
#317Mississippi, USA
60.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
25.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
67.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
72
Business
72
Columbus
#366Mississippi, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$848
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
65.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
67
Business
64
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