State capitals aren’t just the answers to trivia questions. Many rank among the top places to live in the country, with much to offer the typical resident, but not all capitals are created equal.
“Capital cities aren’t just centers of government—they’re often the hubs of economic activity in their state,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo tells Realtor.com.
“Many offer stronger job markets [than regular cities], higher average salaries, and access to world-class universities. Capitals also tend to have a greater number of attractions, restaurants, and cultural amenities, along with better education and health resources.”
The top ten capitals to live in, according to WalletHub’s list, were as follows: Austin, TX; Raleigh, NC; Atlanta; Madison, WI; Boise, ID; St. Paul, MN; Lincoln, NE; Bismarck, ND; Denver; and Salt Lake City.
“In contrast, other cities in the same state may struggle with higher poverty, weaker public schools, or fewer amenities. Overall, a state capital can provide a combination of economic opportunity, education, health care, and lifestyle options that other cities in the state may not match,” says Lupo.
It might surprise people that some of the nation’s well-known capitals—such as Boston (No. 23), Indianapolis (No. 29), Honolulu (No. 34), and Baton Rouge, LA (No. 47)- rank quite low on the list for low scores in affordability, quality of life, or education and health factors.
The five lowest-ranking capitals are (from highest to lowest): Little Rock, AR; Baton Rouge; Trenton, NJ; Augusta, ME; and Jackson, MS.
The report ranked all 50 capitals using 48 measures. The metrics covered affordability, economic stability, quality of life, education, and health care, ranging from cost of living and crime rates to the quality of K–12 public school systems.
Each metric was assigned a weight and graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most livable state capital.
The metrics were then categorized into four key dimensions: 1) Affordability, 2) Economic Well-Being, 3) Quality of Education & Health, and 4) Quality of Life. From that, each capital was given an overall rank.
1. Austin, TX
Median home price: $455,000
Overall score: 64.17
Austin keeps its No. 1 rank from 2025. It remains the best state capital to live in, partly because it has the highest median household income after adjusting for the cost of living, at $93,902, according to the report.
“While home prices and rents in Austin are high in absolute terms, local earning power is also very strong,” explains Lupo. “Austin performs much better than many coastal capitals where incomes don’t stretch as far relative to housing.”
The city also provides a robust environment for business, with new businesses opening at the second-highest rate in the country (including Realtor.com headquarters). Additionally, Austin has some of the top public schools in the country, with very high graduation rates.
The city also has low crime, plenty of fun activities, and the second-highest life expectancy for residents.
“It’s no wonder so many people have moved to the capital of Texas in recent years,” says the report.
2. Raleigh, NC
Median home price: $440,000
Overall score: 60.42
A big reason Raleigh ranks No. 2 (up one spot from last year) is that it has the fourth-highest median household income after adjusting for the cost of living ($84,798).
Additionally, the city is expanding rapidly, with some of the most active buildings in the country. It has the eighth-highest share of residents ages 25-plus with a bachelor’s degree or higher, at 52.9%, and a high school graduation rate of over 87%. It also ranks No. 5 in universities and colleges.
The capital has plenty of amazing restaurants, and if you’re a hockey fan, it’s been ranked the third-best city for the sport.
3. Atlanta
Median home price: $400,000
Overall score: 60.17
This large southern city rose two spots from 2025, thanks to boasting the third-highest median household income after adjusting for the cost of living, at $85,352, and the third-highest median income growth.
Most residents have strong financial stability, and, unlike many southern cities, Atlanta has low rates of obesity.
All the more impressive since Atlanta is definitely a foodie town, ranking at the top of the country for the availability of affordable restaurants with at least 4.5 stars. It probably helps that the city has a very high number of fitness centers and is quite walkable.
It’s also a business hub, giving residents plenty of ways to earn a good living.
“While tech is a driving force in this area, one should not forget that Atlanta has other advantages,” local Re/Max agent Bruce Ailion tells Realtor.com. “Atlanta is the headquarters for Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta, UPS, and 16 different Fortune 500 companies.”
And that’s not all. “Atlanta is home to four national sports teams, dozens of theaters and museums, the world’s largest aquariums, internationally ranked universities, and the world’s busiest airport,” he says.
4. Madison, WI
Median home price: $474,900
Overall score: 60.04
Though it slipped two spots from last year, this capital city still ranks highthanks to having the lowest unemployment rate in the country, an extremely low foreclosure rate, and one of the highest average credit scores in the nation.
This livable city also has a low crime rate, plenty of great and affordable restaurants, and residents have a relatively long life expectancy, with a whopping 90% of adults in good health.
5. Boise, ID
Median home price: $599,990
Overall score: 59.72
Boise ranks high in the categories of Economic Well Being (No. 3) and Quality of Life (No. 4). The first category takes into consideration factors such as income growth, debt as a share of median income, and unemployment rate.
The second category factored in metrics such as millennial newcomers, nightlife options, number of restaurants and coffee shops, number of fitness centers, and walkability.
Boise stumbles a bit in having a high median home price, giving it a lowish rank (No. 19) in Affordability.
6. St. Paul, MN
Median home price: $404,950
Overall score: 56.25
Rising three spots from 2025, this upper Midwestern city ranked high in Affordability (No. 12) and Quality of Life (No. 13). Cost of living and housing costs trend lower than the rest of the nation, and the city is growing, with plenty of millennial newcomers, good public transportation, and little crime.
Where this city stumbles a bit is in Economic Well-Being, ranking only No. 33 out of 50 state capitals. Also, if you move here, make sure you’re OK with lots of snow and cold.
7. Lincoln, NE
Median home price: $389,000
Overall score: 56.21
This Midwestern capital ranks high (No. 11) in Affordability, with a lower cost of living and housing costs than the average. It also ranks high (No. 13) in Quality of Education & Health, which takes into consideration the quality of the public system K-12, high school graduation rate, average university score, and the number of top universities.
For health, the category looks at the share of the population with health insurance, the quality of public hospitals, and the share of adults in good health.
Lincoln’s weak spot is Economic Well-Being, with a lowish rank of No. 22.
8. Bismarck, ND
Median home price: $449,900
Overall score: 55.94
Jumping five spots to No. 8, Bismarck comes ahead in Affordability, ranking No. 1 in the country. A low cost of living, as well as reasonable rent prices on top of a robust median annual household income, means that most people living in Bismarck aren’t struggling with housing costs.
“Bismarck’s rise into the top 10 in 2026 reflects its strong affordability and balanced rankings across metrics,” explains Lupo. He says its well-rounded scores make the capital “increasingly attractive.”
Bismarck’s lowest rank (No. 36) is in Quality of Life, which takes into account activities, nightlife, number of restaurants, coffee shops, and fitness centers, as well as commute time and other metrics.
9. Denver
Median home price: $550,000
Overall score: 55.86
Denver ranks high (No. 11) in Quality of Education & Health, meaning it scores high in metrics such as public school system, number of top universities, and share of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree. Denver is home to top-ranked universities such as Colorado School of Mines and the University of Denver.
As for health, Denver has low rates of obesity and high rates of physical activity. The state is known for the Rocky Mountains, offering plenty of outdoor activities like skiing and hiking. It’s also a walkable city, with strong public transport, and plenty of good, affordable restaurants.
10. Salt Lake City
Median home price: $550,000
Overall score: 55.63
Rounding out the top 10 is Salt Lake City, which ranks very high (No. 4) in Quality of Education & Health, taking into account metrics such as the quality of the public school system and higher education; and for health, looking at factors such as number of hospital beds per capita, infant mortality rate, share of adults in good health, and life expectancy rates.
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