State capitals are oftentimes thriving cities with a lot of economic and cultural value. In fact, they can be some of the best places to live in America. But not all state capitals are created equal. WalletHub has put together a list of 2018’s Best State Capitals to live in. And though 17 of them are the largest cities in their states, the biggest population doesn’t always represent the best quality of life.
In order to determine which state capitals make the best homes, WalletHub compared all 50 across 51 key indicators of affordability, economic strength, quality of education and health, and overall living standards. Our data set ranges from cost of living to K–12 school-system quality to number of attractions.
Best State Capitals to Live In
- Austin, TX
- Madison, WI
- Boise, ID
- Lincoln, NE
- Bismarck, ND
- Raleigh, NC
- Denver, CO
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Juneau, AK
- Concord, NH
- Columbus, OH
- Helena, MT
- Olympia, WA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- St. Paul, MN
- Cheyenne, WY
- Montpelier, VT
- Pierre, SD
- Des Moines, IA
- Phoenix, AZ
Pictured above: Columbus, OH waterfront; Oklahoma City, OK
Out of these places:
- Juneau, Alaska, has the highest median household income (adjusted for cost of living), $67,310, which is 2.6 times higher than in Hartford, Connecticut, the city with the lowest at $26,264.
- Bismarck, North Dakota, has the lowest unemployment rate, 1.7 percent, which is 4.6 times lower than in Hartford, Connecticut, the city with the highest at 7.8 percent.
- Providence, Rhode Island, has the lowest share of state-, local- and federal-government employees, 8.4 percent, which is 4.6 times lower than in Juneau, Alaska, the city with the highest at 38.4 percent.
- Madison, Wisconsin has the highest share of adults 25 years and older with at least a bachelor’s degree, 56.3 percent, which is 4.7 times higher than in Trenton, New Jersey, the city with the lowest at 11.9 percent.
For the full story, and the entire list of best small cities, visit WalletHub.com.
Phoneix, AZ
Denver, CO
This 24-STORY RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM WILL FEATURE UNMATCHED PANORAMIC VIEWS OF DOWNTOWN, THE MUSEUM DISTRICT AND TRINITY RIVER.
Robert A. Zamorano, president and CEO of Zamco Properties LLC, has announced development plans for The Worth, a 24-story luxury residential condominium tower with 115 magnificent homes. The Worth will offer unparalleled, high-rise living with sweeping panoramic views, bringing new residential owner-stakeholders and a much-anticipated residential element to downtown Fort Worth.
Situated on a full city block just minutes from the center of downtown, The Worth site faces N. Henderson Street and is bounded by W. Bluff Street, Mills Street and W. Peach Street. This new, high-rise condominium development is in the schematic design stage at GDA Architects, a noted Dallas architectural firm whose expertise in luxury high-rise living includes notable Texas projects such as The Vendome, Residences at the Stoneleigh, Museum Tower, Windrose Tower at Legacy West and a new 32-story residential rental tower for Southern Land Company in downtown Fort Worth.
The architecture is planned to reflect a marriage of classic and contemporary, with walls of glass and generous balconies affording miles of views. Building amenities will include valet parking, concierge services, owners’ lounges, fitness center and a luxurious amenity deck with a saltwater pool, cabanas, outdoor kitchen, fireplace and spa.
“This sophisticated contemporary tower is a spectacular addition to Fort Worth and is an important asset to this area. It will be a timeless design offering more than any homeowner could ever imagine. There are no other high-rises in the city that come close to this level of luxurious sky-high living,” says Zamorano. “We saw the demand for a condominium project like The Worth in this neighborhood. It is currently the only high-rise project of its kind planned for Fort Worth with an exclusive location that can’t be replicated in the entire city.”
Al Coker & Associates, a marketing and sales firm specializing in the luxury condominium arena, has been retained for the project.
“Simply put, there’s nothing like The Worth in Fort Worth. Our prospective homeowners will include those individuals who want to be in the heart of it all, actively involved with the best this city has to offer. They will enjoy a luxury ‘lock and leave’ lifestyle with miles and miles of panoramic views in a neighborhood enhanced with museums, entertainment and outdoor leisure activities,” said Al Coker, the owner of Al Coker & Associates.
The Worth sales office, complete with finish out samples and detailed renderings, is scheduled to open near the site in the first half of 2018.
All images courtesy of The Worth
T. Boone Pickens just listed his beloved Mesa Vista Ranch for $250 million.
The property, comprised of over 100 square miles of prime Eastern Texas Panhandle ranch land, has been owned by Pickens for 46 years. In an official statement about selling the property, Pickens states, “I initiated a multi-decade program to help the land heal and, over time, invested millions on wildlife management, programs, and facilities to create what many believe is the best quail hunting in the world.”
Approximately 85 miles northeast of Amarillo, the Mesa Vista Ranch covers approximately 25 miles along the south side of the Canadian river, with a wide variety of land types including rolling hills to elevated ridges to prairie lands. Multiple structures can be found on the grounds, including a Lodge compound and a Lake House. The property also includes an airport and hangar located within an 8-foot-high game fence, and a dog kennel of over 11,000 square feet.
As stated on Hall and Hall’s site, “Boone has been a leader in conservation practices that are now followed by many other sportsmen in the country. As a testament to Boone’s conservation efforts, in 2008 he was named the recipient of the prestigious Park Cities Quail Unlimited Lifetime Sportsman Award.” Wildlife enhancements include over 1,000 quail feeders, deer feeders, many food plot areas and a network of buried waterlines with outlets to create wet areas for quail.
The property is offered jointly and exclusively by Hall and Hall and Chas. S. Middleton and Son.
