Where should a young professional live: Columbus, MS or Starkville, MS?

Trying to give some advice to a family member: which town is better for a young professional to live in - Starkville, MS or Columbus, MS? I realize that both towns are somewhat small. Any ideas for specific apartment complexes that are nice, but not totally overrun by students? Thanks!

Not familiar with Columbus, but Starkville is very small, very rural, and very blue collar (not including the students). I’m not sure how many young professionals are even there.