Concord ranks 10th on most livable capital list, beating out Hub, study finds

WalletHub compared all 50 state capitals across 48 key metrics, ranging from the cost of living to K-12 school-system quality to the number of attractions. (Courtesy photo)

With the 2024 election deciding who represents us in our state capitals, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2024's Best State Capitals to Live in, as well as expert commentary.

To identify the most livable seats of state government, WalletHub compared all 50 state capitals across 48 key metrics, ranging from the cost of living to K-12 school-system quality to the number of attractions.

Best vs. Worst

• Concord, New Hampshire, has the lowest violent-crime rate per 1,000 residents, which is 13.3 times lower than in Little Rock, Arkansas, the city with the highest.
• Austin, Texas, has the highest median household income (adjusted for cost of living), which is 2.2 times higher than in Hartford, Connecticut, the city with the lowest.
• Montpelier, Vermont, has the highest share of adults age 25 and older with at least a bachelor's degree, which is 4.3 times higher than in Trenton, New Jersey, the city with the lowest.

To view the full report and your city's rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-state-capitals/19030

Expert Commentary

What are the benefits and drawbacks to living in a state's capital city?

"State capitals, under the political and economic functions that they provide (or are supposed to), often spatially concentrate higher-order infrastructure facilities and services that provide some form of accessibility to residents. It is not uncommon for private and public entities linked to these core functions to locate in state capitals to take advantage of locational advantages and externalities. Therefore, state capitals may provide access to certain services that may not be available in other cities, even when they are functionally decentralized. The drawback is that spatial concentration, coupled with the lack of careful planning and distribution of functions, often generates higher traffic volumes and the congestion evident in many capital cities. This is usually not helped by the lack of intermodal transport and the bane of the automobile that continues to plague the contemporary American capital city."
Dr. Seth Asare Okyere - Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Arizona

"Capital cities tend to be economically stable and provide concentrations of employment and networking opportunities. They often attract diverse populations, resulting in cultural and entertainment options that are unique to their regions. There may be a variety of historical sites and cultural institutions to visit as well. There are drawbacks, however, including the potential for a high cost of living, congestion, long commutes, and needing to navigate political demonstrations or protests."
Dr. Victoria Morckel - Senior Academic Specialist, Michigan State University


Are residents of capital cities more likely to be politically engaged, all else equal?

"Context matters here. The form and nature of political engagement have changed significantly in recent years, driven by social media and alternative creative ways of engagement. These days, political engagement is not spatially limited or space bounded. That is, residents outside the state capital can coalesce around a shared interest and engage in both spatial and aspatial terms. Imagine recent cases where several protesters have traveled miles away to engage politically. That said, the likelihood of political engagement also depends on the characteristics of the residents, the state political system, opportunities for residents' engagement, and socio-political consciousness."
Dr. Seth Asare Okyere - Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Arizona

"This is hard to say. Residents of capital cities have greater access to political information, political events, and governmental offices and institutions, which can contribute to engagement. Plus, many people who work for the government presumably have an interest in politics and live in or near the city. Nonetheless, the degree of political engagement varies by demographics (e.g., income, race, age) and other factors, so it is difficult to determine the unique effect of living in a capital city. It may be a self-selection bias where more engaged people live near the capital."
Dr. Victoria Morckel - Senior Academic Specialist, Michigan State University

How does exempting government buildings from local property taxes affect the fiscal well-being of capital cities?

"If the state or federal governments paid property taxes to local governments, they would probably cut local government funding in other ways to make up for the tax, such as reducing or eliminating grants for local transportation projects or community development efforts. Consequently, while communities might have more discretionary funds in the short term, total revenue would probably not increase due to the aforementioned displacement effect. Regardless, the capital city attracts people and investment irrespective of the property tax situation, due to the concentration of jobs. If a capital city needs revenue, income tax rate increases are an option--albeit an unpopular one."
Dr. Victoria Morckel - Senior Academic Specialist, Michigan State University