A new study by SmartAsset analyzed data for all 50 US state capitals to uncover the best state capitals to live in– and they rank Pierre as #1.
The 2022 Edition of the Most Livable State Capitals study considered a variety of metrics, including the estimated cost of living, the unemployment rate, income growth and the high school graduation rate, among others.
City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga isn’t surprised Pierre ranked on top.
According to SmartAsset, Pierre scores highest in the employment and education and affordability categories. Across all 50 state capitals, Pierre ties for the second-lowest unemployment rate (1.9%) and has the fourth-highest income after housing costs (a little over $58,100). Pierre also has the fourth-highest high school graduation rate of any US state capital city, at 95.62%.
Previous rankings for Pierre in SmartAsset’s Most Livable Capitals study are:
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2021 #2
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2020 #7
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2019 not listed
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2018 not listed
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2017 tied with Honolulu for #2
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2016 #2
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2015 #2
Looking at this year’s Top 10:
1. Pierre, SD
2. Madison, WI
3. Lincoln, NE
4. Boise, ID
5. Helena, MT
6. Concord, NH
7. Montpelier, VT
8. Jefferson City, MO
9. Albany, NY
10. Des Moines, IA
At the bottom of the list are:
41. Augusta, ME
42. Oklahoma City, OK
43. Phoenix, AZ
44. Olympia, WA
45. Atlanta, GA
46. Hartford, CT
47. Denver, CO
48. Little Rock, AR
49. Baton Rouge, LA
50. Dover, DE
This is SmartAsset’s ninth study on the best state capitals to live in. The full report can be found here: https://smartasset.com/data-studies/best-state-capitals-to-live-in-2022.
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