Money Magazine's Top Places To Live

If you received our Newsletter yesterday, you may have already read about this topic. We featured a link to this story. I wanted to summarize this list and how Columbia compares.
Columbia used to be featured on this list. I do not recall the last time we were featured, but it is clear we are no longer. Now this doesn't mean Columbia is a bad place, it just shows we have been standing still while others have passed us by.

Topping the list is Plymouth, MN. Here is how Columbia stacks up in a few categories.
Plymouth, MN Columbia, MO
Median Income: $111,631 $64,131
Sales Tax 6.65% 7.55%
Job Growth 7.89% 6.32% (lower than any city in the top 10)
Some College Ed. 83.3% 79.5%
Median Home Price $288,950 $150,000
Crime 2 / 28 5 / 33 (Among the highest)
(personal crimes/property crimes per one thousand)

Here is how we stack up against the averages of the top 100 Places to Live.
Median Income: $93,075 $64,131
Sales Tax 6.60% 7.55%
Job Growth 18.72% 6.32%
Some College Ed. 73.7% 79.5%
Median Home Price $291,949 $150,000
Crime 2 / 25 5 / 33
(personal crimes/property crimes per one thousand)

To view the article click here
To view how Columbia compares in all categories click here.

So as you can see Columbia does lack in some areas, but we are not way off. The most glaring issues are our job growth and crime. As far as crime, keep in mind we are comparing this area and all the others to the best of the best. So we are probably in pretty good shape. If we can just lure some new businesses to Columbia to stimulate the job market, we will be moving in the right direction. With such an improvement many other positives will come to this community!

Brought to you by:
Professional Mortgage Group, Inc.