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Austin Named Best State Capital for 2nd Year
19 Feb
Summary
- Austin ranked best state capital for second consecutive year.
- Factors include high income, great schools, and life expectancy.
- Analysis covered affordability, economy, education, and quality of life.

Austin, Texas, has once again earned the title of the best state capital to live in across the United States, according to a 2026 WalletHub analysis. This marks the second consecutive year the city has received this prestigious ranking.
The personal finance website's comprehensive study evaluated all 50 state capitals using 48 distinct metrics. These metrics encompassed crucial aspects such as affordability, economic well-being, education, health care, and overall quality of life.
Austin achieved the highest overall score, particularly standing out in economic well-being and educational and healthcare quality. The city boasts the nation's highest adjusted median household income, reported at $93,902. Furthermore, Austin's public schools were recognized as excellent, with GreatSchools.org ranking them highly. The city also features a significant percentage of college-educated residents and a high life expectancy.




