best in the u.s.

Austin is the best state capital to live in, study says

Take that, Austin naysayers.

If you're going to live in one of the U.S. state capitals, there's no better place to be than Texas.

Austin ranked No. 1 in WalletHub's 2024 study of the "Best State Capitals to Live In."

The report examined the 50 state capitals based on four major categories: affordability; economic wellbeing; quality of education and health; and quality of life. Factors that helped determine each city's rank include housing costs, the average weekly work hours of residents, the quality of each city's K-12 school system, and much more.

Here's how Austin performed in the four major categories:

No. 1 – Economic wellbeing
No. 1 – Quality of education and health
No. 9 – Quality of life
No. 12 – Affordability

"State capitals theoretically should demonstrate the very best of what the state has to offer," said WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe in the report. "In reality, each state capital has its own pros and cons, and some are among the most desirable places to live in their respective states while others are unfortunately among the least."

Austin has the highest median household income (after cost of living adjustments) out of all 50 state capitals, which amounts to $78,183. Austin also has the third-highest rate of new businesses, proving that it is one of the top cities for business owners.

On the opposite end of being good for business, Austin comes in at No. 46 in the category for the average weekly work hours. Austinites have the fifth-highest weekly work hours out of all 50 state capitals, the study found.

Austin's position as a fun environment for residents is definitely helping offset those long work hours. Austin has the highest number of restaurants per capita, tied with Atlanta, Denver, and Honolulu. Austin also entered a five-way tie with Honolulu, Denver, Boston, and Nashville for the highest number of attractions.

WalletHub also commended Austin's education system, which ranked No. 1 in the nation. The city has the fourth-highest percentage of adults with a bachelor's degree or another form of higher education.

"Austin has a great education system, ranking at the top of the country when it comes to the share of public schools rated as 'above average' by Greatschools.org," the study said. "It has one of the highest high school graduation rates and some of the best universities in the country, too."

There's one demographic in particular that's seeing the true potential for living the good life in the Texas capital. The report found that Austin has the second-highest percentage of millennial newcomers flocking to the city.

Longevity is another high point mentioned in the report: Austin has the lowest premature death rate out of all 50 state capitals.

The top 10 best state capitals to live in are:

No. 1 – Austin, Texas
No. 2 – Madison, Wisconsin
No. 3 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 4 – Boise, Idaho
No. 5 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 6 – Lincoln, Nebraska
No. 7 – Salt Lake City, Utah
No. 8 – Columbus, Ohio
No. 9 – Denver, Colorado
No. 10 – Concord, New Hampshire

The full study and its methodology can be found on wallethub.com.

austin texas wallethub reports

GIVING TUESDAY

Austin's Sims Foundation restores some services thanks to local gifts

Sims Foundation Riders Against the Storm

Photo courtesy of Sims Foundation

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It may not be the tidy finale of a Hollywood holiday movie, but the Sims Foundation is rewriting its story. A critical cash infusion from two Austin groups will allow the nonprofit to continue to serve its most vulnerable clients as it grapples with a long-term plan.

On October 22, Board Chair Marissa Rivera announced that Sims would pause services for 90 days to restructure its service model. Although the foundation has traditionally kept operational costs lean, public funding shortages, a changing healthcare landscape, and the lingering aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic left the 30-year-old nonprofit shaky.

"The reality is simple," Rivera wrote in an open letter, "We need more funding to continue to operate at our current service levels, and we need to restructure our service model to ensure that we are maximizing all of the resources and efficiencies that are now available."

Although fundraising remains urgent, new funds from C3 Presents and charitable lifestyle brand Armadillo World Headquarters (AWHQ) will allow SIMS to resume select mental health and addiction recovery services for Austin's musical community.

"Helping SIMS Foundation to continue to be able to serve our community was a no-brainer," said AWHQ spokesperson Nick Shuley via a release. "We deeply value the role SIMS plays in sustaining the health and vibrancy of our city's musicians and artists, and we hope other organizations are inspired to do the same."

Public support will remain a key part of the equation as SIMS navigates the future. The C3 and AWHQ monies helped the nonprofit reach 30 percent of its Restore the Rhythm campaign goals, but support from local individuals and businesses is needed to tighten the gap. Donations can be made online.

The need for care among Austin's musicians, industry pros, and dependents remains sharply felt. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five Americans experiences a mental health condition each year. As Austinites wrestle with a high cost of living, The SIMS Foundations remains committed to removing barriers to wellness.

music wellness health healthcare nonprofit charity

best in the u.s.

Austin is the best state capital to live in, study says

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Austin's Sims Foundation restores some services thanks to local gifts

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