Columbus ranked in the top 20 best run cities in the US
Despite the recent troubles in the Columbus Consolidated Government, Columbus has earned a spot among the nation’s best-run cities.
Although the city government has recently been beleaguered by scandal, the WalletHub Study ranked Columbus number 20 out of 148 major U.S. cities. This ranking considers its efforts to represent the residents, and local leaders’ attempts to balance the public’s diverse interests with the city’s resources.
How are the rankings determined?
WalletHub’s rankings are based on a comprehensive analysis that measures how well cities deliver essential services compared to their budgets.
Here’s a breakdown of their methods.
36 key metrics across six major categories:
Financial stability
Education
Health
Safety
Economy
Infrastructure/pollution
Quality vs. budget and operating efficiency:
Each city’s “Quality of City Services” score is compared to its per-capita budget. This approach highlights which cities get the most value for every dollar spent.
Its operating efficiency, which looks at local leadership and their attempts to deliver strong results such as:
High graduation rates
Low (relative) crime
Good infrastructure
Lack of overspending or running up debt
Columbus made the top 20
Columbus’s no. 20 finish is a strong showing for a city of its size and region.
Here’s what sets Columbus apart:
Balanced budgeting: Based on the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year 2024, Columbus manages its finances well, keeping government debt low while still providing quality public services.
Public safety and education: The city scores well in safety and education metrics.
Economic resilience: According to an economic forecast report conducted by CSU, Columbus demonstrates stability and growth.
Community Pride: Letters from the mayor and the city manager in the adopted operating budget from fiscal year 2025 reflect the hard work of local leaders and the engagement of Columbus residents.
Atlanta is ranked no. 115
In contrast, Atlanta ranks number 115 out of 148 cities.
While Atlanta is a major economic and cultural hub, according to ScoutCities, the city faces challenges that affect larger cities, like higher crime rates and aging infrastructure.
For Columbus residents, this little bit of recognition is a reminder that even though there’s been trouble, overall, it’s still a pretty good place to live.
