WalletHub: Austin Tops the State Capital Heap

Research site WalletHub compared 50 of the U.S. state capitals across 51 acres of affordability, economic strength, education quality and living standards. The result? Austin, the Texas state capital, topped the list.

The Wallethub website said Austin’s state capital index was the highest at 67.73, and was seventh in affordability, third in economic well-being, fourth in quality of life – and second in educational quality and health. Austin was also No. 2 in highest median household income, and lowest premature death-rate.

Meghna Sabharwal, with the University of Texas at Dallas’ Public and Nonprofit Management program, indicated many advantages to living in a capital city, not the least of which is that many can attract community investment. The downside? “Capital cities located in a downtown can get very crowded when the legislature is in session,” she said. “This can cause headaches for locals and out-of-town visitors.”

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