Austin ranks top U.S. state capital to live in again, based on 2026 national analysis
A repeat No. 1 ranking for Texas’ capital
Austin has been ranked the best U.S. state capital to live in for a second consecutive year in a 2026 national analysis that compared all 50 capital cities across a broad set of economic and quality-of-life measures. The ranking places Austin ahead of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, which finished second and third, respectively.
The analysis evaluated capitals using 48 metrics grouped into four categories: affordability, economic well-being, quality of education and health, and overall quality of life. The goal was to capture both household financial conditions and day-to-day living factors, including education outcomes, health indicators, and lifestyle amenities.
What drove Austin’s top placement
Austin’s strongest results came from measures tied to household earning power and human capital. The city posted the highest median household income among state capitals after adjusting for cost of living, at $93,902. It also ranked high for educational attainment, placing fourth for the share of residents age 25 and older holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
Health and longevity indicators also contributed. Austin ranked near the top for life expectancy compared with other capitals and performed strongly on measures related to premature death. On the quality-of-life side, the city also stood out for having a high concentration of restaurants and attractions per capita, metrics intended to reflect access to amenities.
How other capitals ranked
The top 10 list underscores that high-performing capitals are spread across regions, though Southern and Mountain West cities were prominent near the top. The top 10 were:
- Austin, Texas
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Boise, Idaho
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Bismarck, North Dakota
- Denver, Colorado
- Salt Lake City, Utah
At the other end of the ranking, Jackson, Mississippi, placed last. Other capitals near the bottom included Augusta, Maine, and Trenton, New Jersey.
Interpreting “best to live in”
Rankings of livability depend heavily on what is measured and how categories are weighted. An index that blends affordability with income and amenities can elevate cities where wages remain comparatively strong relative to local costs, even when housing is expensive in absolute terms.
The results show how a high adjusted income, strong education and health outcomes, and dense amenities can offset cost pressures in a composite livability score.
What the ranking does—and does not—capture
Composite indices are useful for comparing cities on a standardized basis, but they may not fully reflect neighborhood-level differences or individual priorities such as commute patterns, housing type preferences, or climate risks. For Austin, the repeat No. 1 placement highlights continued strength on measures tied to earning power, education, and amenities—areas that can materially shape household decisions about where to live.