Where to Live: The 10 Best Capitals in the U.S.

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Apr 27, 2021

Where to Live: The 10 Best Capitals in the U.S.

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If you dream of living in a city along with the movers and shakers, you'll find no place better than a state capital, where the state's movers and shakers live and work. But not every capital is the same. Some feel like small towns while others are the largest cities in their states. One recent review of the cost of living by the Council for Community and Economic Research paired with the U.S. Census Bureau's data on commute times and walkability began Rent.com's review of all 50 state capitals. They also looked at the number of different businesses thriving in the cities for work opportunities and, of course, the cost of rent and the availability of housing. The result provided a definitive list of the best U.S. capitals in which to live.

In this article

10. Honolulu, Hawaii

Who doesn't want to live near the beach? But it is not Honolulu's tropical location that makes it a star. Turns out the media salary in Hawaii's beachfront capital is $71,247 and a one-bedroom apartment not too far from the hiking of nearby volcano craters and rainforest averages $1,918 per month.

9. Des Moines, Iowa

With the pandemic showing much of the country that working from home is a possibility, people have been leaving more expensive cities like New York for a more hometown feel in the Midwest. Des Moines is one of the most affordable capital cities in America – $1,168 per month for an average one-bedroom and a cost of living 12% below the national average – which means you get a bit of city life for less. But if you want the great outdoors, there are also more than 4,000 acres of parkland in this college-filled town.

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8. Columbus, Ohio

Another great Midwestern capital is Columbus, one of the most walkable and bikeable cities in the U.S. Not only are 17 Fortune 1000 companies headquartered here but the city is the No. 1 capital in terms of job growth. Oh yes, and your one-bedroom apartment will only cost about $1,201 per month.

7. Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts's largest city is one of the oldest in the nation. Here, the radical thinking led to the city becoming a hub for colleges and universities, each surrounded by historic places where the entire country was founded. A very walkable city with lots of industry, the only negative is how expensive it can be. Rent for a one-bedroom average $3,461 per month. At least the median salary attempts to offset that; it is the highest at $71,834.

5. (tied) Denver, Colorado

Outdoor lovers have been making their way west for the last two decades, with towns in Colorado booming. Its capital, the Mile High City, is surrounded by mountains and parks – not to mention a centralized airport to get around the country in a flash. One-bedroom apartments in the state's largest city are a little steeper at $1,928 on average, but you are guaranteed to have something to do in your free time with the abundance of sports and outdoor activities available.

5. (tied) Boise, Idaho

Take the Midwest and mix it in with Colorado and you have Boise serving as an ideal mix of hometown charm and outdoor adventure. Average one-bedroom apartments are a comfortable $1,340 and the cost of living here is a point below the national average. Rent.com also scored the city second for its abundance of job opportunities.

4. Madison, Wisconsin

The Midwest appears on the list again with the best of the region a beautiful city not too far from Chicago. You'll have the benefits of being surrounded by lakes and farmland, yet with a thriving economy and urban amenities. Here, average rents are lower, too: $1,223 per month for a one-bedroom.

3. Cheyenne, Wyoming

For the top 3 best state capitals, you will have to head west. Wyoming, known for cowboys and big sky, makes the cut because its capital is not only filled with jobs but cheap. Your apartment will average under $1,000 per month and you'll find the cost of living is 8.2% below the national average – beat that! Rent.com also found the average commute time in Cheyenne to be just 16 minutes!

2. Austin, Texas

If you're looking for a hipster capital, look no further than booming Austin, which is renowned for its entertainment and foodie scene. Earning recognition as the Silicon Valley of Texas, Rent.com gives Austin a high score for business. Plus, the weather is great and the cost of living is relatively close to the national average. Median incomes are near $71,500 and one-bedroom apartments average just over $1,417.

1. Salt Lake City, Utah

But the best of the best can be found in Utah, home to some of the most amazing national parks. The most urban spot in the state means you get the best of both worlds, at prices that won't send you packing. A one-bedroom here will run you about $1,200.

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The best state capitals by rank

Here is Rent.com's full capitals ranking.

Total Rank	City	Income Rank	Cost of Living Rank	Commuting Rank	Walkability Rank	Bikeability Rank	Business Rank
1	Salt Lake City, UT	16	30	23	8	4	2
2	Austin, TX	4	28	40	10	1	1
3	Cheyenne, WY	13	10	3	39	24	2
4	Madison, WI	14	34	20	9	3	18
5	(tied) Boise, ID	22	25	13	29	9	2
5	(tied) Denver, CO	6	42	44	5	1	2
7	Boston, MA	3	49	48	1	2	2
8	Columbus, OH	28	9	32	11	13	15
9	Des Moines, IA	27	5	17	18	31	12
10	Honolulu, HI	5	50	38	4	16	2
11	Lincoln, NE	24	14	14	23	11	33
12	Springfield, IL	31	2	12	25	24	27
13	Oklahoma City, OK	26	4	29	30	29	12
14	Atlanta, GA	10	27	47	16	33	2
15	(tied) Phoenix, AZ	21	29	46	18	13	11
15	(tied) Topeka, KS	39	3	10	33	18	35
17	St. Paul, MN	25	31	39	11	11	24
18	Richmond, VA	34	23	31	15	21	18
19	(tied) Sacramento, CA	12	46	43	13	5	28
19	(tied) Indianapolis, IN	36	8	34	40	27	2
21	(tied) Montpelier, VT	11	43	11	6	36	41
21	(tied) Pierre, SD	15	18	1	36	29	49
23	(tied) Little Rock, AR	35	18	16	31	47	2
23	(tied) Lansing, MI	47	16	19	25	17	25
25	Santa Fe, NM	19	17	22	31	27	34
26	Albany, NY	40	38	18	7	18	30
27	Providence, RI	44	45	37	2	7	17
28	Charleston, WV	42	15	9	23	42	22
29	Columbia, SC	38	11	6	42	44	14
30	Helena, MT	17	36	2	28	31	43
31	Annapolis, MD	2	33	45	20	22	36
32	Carson City, NV	23	40	21	20	7	49
33	(tied) Concord, NH	7	37	28	25	38	30
33	(tied) Nashville, TN	18	13	42	33	44	15
35	Bismarck, ND	9	26	7	42	41	41
36	(tied) Tallahassee, FL	45	22	15	36	22	28
36	(tied) Hartford, CT	50	40	35	3	15	25
38	Raleigh, NC	8	21	36	47	40	23
39	Juneau, AK	1	47	4	46	38	40
40	Trenton, NJ	49	24	41	13	18	32
41	(tied) Salem, OR	30	48	33	22	10	36
41	(tied) Jackson, MS	46	1	26	42	44	20
43	Baton Rouge, LA	43	20	30	33	33	21
44	Montgomery, AL	33	6	24	47	43	36
45	Olympia, WA	20	39	27	36	24	44
46	Frankfort, KY	32	12	8	47	49	47
47	Dover, DE	37	35	25	41	33	44
48	Jefferson City, MO	29	7	49	42	48	46
49	Harrisburg, PA	48	32	50	16	37	39
50	Augusta, ME	41	44	5	50	50	48

This data and list was curated by Rent.com.

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Lissa Poirot is an award-winning journalist and editor with a focus on finance, travel and health. Her work has appeared online and in print, and she has often been cited as a source on both. She currently resides in Pennsylvania.

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