State capitals are not just answers to trivia questions. Many rank among the top places to live in the country, with much to offer the average resident, but not all titles are created equal.
“Big cities are not just the centers of government – they are often the economic centers of their states,” WalletHub analyst. Chip Lupo he tells Realtor.com®.
“Many offer strong job markets [than regular cities]higher average salaries, and access to world-class universities. Capital cities tend to have a greater number of attractions, restaurants, and cultural facilities, as well as better education and health services.”
The top ten capitals they lived in, according to WalletHub’s list, were: Austin, TX; Raleigh, NC; in Atlanta; Madison, WI; Boise, ID; Paul St., MN; Lincoln, NE; Bismarck, ND; Denver; and Salt Lake City.
“On the contrary, other cities in the same state may struggle with high poverty, weak public schools, or few services. Overall, the state capital can offer a combination of economic opportunities, education, health care, and lifestyles that other cities in the state may not match,” said Lupo.
It may surprise people that some of the nation’s most popular capitals—such as Boston (No. 23), Indianapolis (No. 29), Honolulu (No. 34), and Baton Rouge, LA (No. 47), ranked very low on the list because of low scores on shopping, quality of life, or education and health factors.
The bottom five capitals are (from high to low): Little Rock, AR; Baton Rouge; Trenton, NJ; Augusta, ME; and Jackson, MS.
The report ranked all 50 topics using 48 criteria. Metrics include affordability, economic stability, quality of life, education, and health care, from cost of living and crime rates to the quality of K–12 public school systems.
Each metric is assigned a weight and placed on a 100-point scale, with 100 points representing the most accessible country capital.
The metrics are then divided into four key categories: 1) Affordability, 2) Economic Well-Being, 3) Quality of Education and Health and 4) Quality of Life. From then on, each capital city was given an absolute rank.
1. Austin, TX
Median home price: $455,000
Total score: 64.17
Austin maintains its No. 1 position. 1 from 2025. It remains the best state capital to live in, in part because it has the highest median household income after adjusting for the cost of living, at $93,902, according to the report.
“Although real estate prices and rents in Austin are relatively high, the local income potential is also very strong,” Lupo explained. “Austin is doing much better than a lot of coastal areas where incomes don’t come far from housing.”
The city also provides a strong business environment, with the second highest rate of new businesses opening in the country (including the headquarters of Realtor.com). Additionally, Austin has some of the top public schools in the country, with very high graduation rates.
The city also has low crime, an abundance of recreational activities, and the second highest life expectancy for residents.
“It’s no wonder so many people have moved to the Texas capital in recent years,” the report said.
2. Raleigh, NC
Median home price: $440,000
Total score: 60.42
The main reason Raleigh ranks No. 2 (up one spot from last year) is that it has the fourth highest household income after adjusting for the cost of living ($84,798).
Additionally, the city is expanding rapidly, with the most active building in the country. It has the eighth highest share of residents aged 25-plus with a bachelor’s degree or higher, at 52.9%, and the highest high school graduation rate at over 87%. It is also number 5 in universities and colleges.
The capital has many amazing restaurants, and if you’re a hockey fan, it’s ranked the third best for sports.
3. In Atlanta
Median home price: $400,000
Total score: 60.17
This southern metropolis has risen two spots since 2025, 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 a low obesity rate.
All the more impressive since Atlanta is a foodie city, ranking high in the country for affordable restaurants with at least 4.5 stars. It helps that the city has a very high number of gyms and is very walkable.
It is also a business center, providing residents with many ways to make a living.
“While technology is strong in this area, one should not forget that Atlanta has other advantages,” a local Re/Max agent. Bruce Allion he tells Realtor.com. “Atlanta is the headquarters of Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta, UPS, and 16 different Fortune 500 companies.”
And it doesn’t end there. “Atlanta is home to four national sports teams, dozens of theaters and museums, the world’s largest aquarium, world-ranked universities, and the world’s busiest airport,” he said.
4. Madison, WI
Median home price: $474,900
Total score: 60.04
Although down two spots from last year, this capital city still ranks high for having the lowest unemployment rate in the country, the lowest foreclosure rate, and one of the highest credit scores in the nation.
This livable city also has a low crime rate, plenty of good and affordable restaurants, and residents have a long life expectancy, with 90% of adults in good health.
5. Boise, ID
Median home price: $599,990
Total score: 59.72
Boise ranks high in the Economic Well Being (No. 3) and Quality of Life (No. 4) categories. The first stage considers factors such as income growth, debt as a share of median income, and the unemployment rate.
The second category included metrics such as millennial arrivals, nightlife options, number of restaurants and coffee shops, number of fitness centers, and walkability.
Boise stumbles slightly in having a high median home value, offering a low (No. 19) affordability rate.
6. Paul St., MN
Median home price: $404,950
Total 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 are lower than the rest of the country; and the city is growing, with lots of new millennials, good public transportation, and low crime.
Where the city stumbles a bit in Economic Well-Being, it only ranks No. 33 out of 50 states. Also, if you’re moving here, make sure you’re okay with lots of snow and cold.
7. Lincoln, NE
Median home price: $389,000
Total score: 56.21
This Midwestern capital ranks high (No. 11) in Affordability, with a lower cost of living and housing costs than average. It also ranks high (No. 13) in Quality of Education and Health, which takes into account the quality of the public K-12 system, high school graduation rate, university grade point average, and number of top universities.
For health, the category looks at the proportion of people with health insurance, the quality of public hospitals, and the share of healthy adults.
Lincoln’s weakest area is Economic Well-Being, with a low ranking of No. 22.
8. Bismarck, ND
Median home price: $449,900
Total score: 55.94
Jumping to No. 8, Bismarck leads the way in Affordability, ranked No. 1 in the country. The low cost of living, and reasonable rental prices on top of a solid annual household income, means that many people living in Bismarck are not burdened with housing costs.
“Bismarck’s rise to the top 10 in 2026 reflects strong affordability and consistent rankings across all metrics,” explained Lupo. He says its well-rounded scores make the capital “very attractive.”
Bismarck’s lowest ranking (No. 36) is in Quality of Life, which takes into account jobs, nightlife, number of restaurants, coffee shops and fitness centers, as well as travel time and other metrics.
9. Denver
Median home price: $550,000
Total score: 55.86
Denver ranks high (No. 11) in quality of Education and Health, meaning it scores high on metrics like public school system, number of top universities, and share of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree. Denver is home to top universities such as the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Denver.
In terms of health, Denver has the lowest rates of obesity and the highest rates of physical activity. The region is known for the Rocky Mountains, offering many outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking. It’s also a walkable city, with solid public transport, and plenty of good, affordable restaurants.
10. Salt Lake City
Median home price: $550,000
Total score: 55.63
Rounding out the top ten is Salt Lake City, which has the highest ranking (No. 4) in Quality of Education and Health, taking into account metrics such as the quality of the public school system and higher education; and health, looking at factors such as the number of hospital beds per capita, the infant mortality rate, the share of healthy adults, and living standards.
