Capital City Win
You're living in one of the best capital cities in the country
Another glowing accolade for Austin: We've been named one of the best capital cities in the country.
For the rankings, personal finance website SmartAsset analyzed the livability of each U.S. capital by looking at crime rates, unemployment rates, cost of living, and residents' access to entertainment. Austin ranks No. 10, up one from spot from 2015.
In addition to a higher overall ranking, Austinites have more discretionary income (median household income after median annual housing costs) this year than last. The average resident has $41,452 to spend, up almost $1,000 from 2015, and the 10th highest among state capitals.
And while our unemployment rate increased ever so slightly (from 3 percent to 3.2 percent) it's still the fifth lowest among state capitals. SmartAsset notes that unemployment also increased in two other cities in the top 10.
Austin garners the distinction of the highest-ranking Southern capital on the list. The absolute best capitals of 2016 are Montpelier, Vermont; Pierre, South Dakota; and Honolulu, Hawaii.
