Hartford Named One of the Worst Capital Cities in America

State capitals aren’t just about politics and random trivia—they’re often vibrant cities packed with economic and cultural perks. In fact, some of them are actually among the best places to live in the U.S. But let’s be real, not all state capitals are made equal.

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To figure out which ones offer the best quality of life, WalletHub took a close look at all 50 capitals, comparing them across 48 important factors like affordability, economy, education, healthcare, and overall living conditions. Our research covers everything from how much it costs to live there to the quality of schools and crime rates.

Here are the Top 6 Best State Capitals to live in:

1. Austin, TX
2. Madison, WI
3. Raleigh, NC
4. Boise, ID
5. Atlanta, GA
6. Lincoln, NE

Here are the Top 6 Worst State Capitals to live in:

1. Augusta, ME
2. Trenton, NJ
3. Jackson, MS
4. Baton Rouge, LA
5. Dover, DE
6. Hartford, CT

Maybe Hartford had such a poor rating because nearly 27% of the population of Hartford, CT lives in poverty, compared to 11.1% of the entire United States. I didn't make that up on the fly, it's cited in the study.

But don't fret Hartford, you still have the country's most mysterious graffiti.

The relentless work this artist puts in, to fill your city with his symbols is a shining example of the American spirit refusing to be held down. No matter how bad an idea may be, somewhere there is an American who is convinced it needs to be spread in a wide and furious fashion, like chlamydia.