Austin Ranked Best State Capital to Live In for Second Straight Year

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For the second consecutive year, Austin, Texas has been named the best state capital to live in across the United States, according to a 2026 analysis by the personal finance website WalletHub. The study evaluated all 50 state capitals across 48 metrics, including affordability, economic well-being, education, health care, and quality of life, with Austin earning the highest overall score.

Why it matters

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Austin's continued recognition as the top state capital to live in underscores its appeal as a desirable destination for both residents and businesses. The city's strong performance across key livability factors like income, education, and healthcare access highlights its ability to attract and retain top talent.

The details

Austin scored particularly high in economic well-being, quality of education and health care, and median household income adjusted for cost of living. Its adjusted median household income was the highest among all 50 capitals at $93,902. The city also ranked first for public schools rated 'above average' by GreatSchools.org and has the fourth-highest percentage of residents over 25 with a bachelor's degree. Additionally, Austin boasts the second-highest life expectancy among state capitals and a high number of restaurants and attractions per capita.

• The WalletHub analysis was released in February 2026.
• This marks the second consecutive year that Austin has been named the best state capital to live in.