Some state capitals get a bad rap as boring government towns full of paperwork and parking garages. The reality looks a lot different. Many of these cities have booming job markets, top-tier universities, and food scenes that rival much bigger metros. People are moving to them in droves, and the numbers back up why.
To rank the best state capitals to live in, WalletHub looked at all 50 capitals across 48 different measures. Those measures fall into four buckets: affordability, economic well-being, quality of education and health, and quality of life. The data pulls from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and WalletHub’s own research, so these rankings rest on solid ground.
Below you will find the capitals that score highest for livability, along with a few standouts worth a closer look. Each entry explains what makes the city special and what a potential resident should expect before packing the moving truck.
1. Austin, TX
Austin takes the top spot, and it is easy to see why. The city posts the highest median household income in the country once you adjust for the cost of living, sitting at $93,902. New businesses open here at the second-fastest rate nationwide, which means job opportunities keep multiplying…