How Charming is your State Capital?
The Continental U.S. State Capitals (and D.C.) ranked by Charm


There is little that is more charming than the feeling of the history of the past and the excitement of history in the making. For these reasons, our state capitals always have a special appeal that draws in the attention and pride of their entire state.
While every state capital has its share of charm, we were curious which one was the most charming. Using our Charm Index, we analyzed the charm scores of the capital cities of every continental state and threw Washington D.C. onto the list for good measure.
The Charm Index scores how charming streets and neighborhoods are using data on:
- The affordability of local businesses
- The ratings of nearby businesses
- Are they locally-owned? - are they corporate chains or local boutiques?
- How active the residence is and the density of nearby gyms, bike tracks, parks, etc.
- Crime statistics
A charming neighborhood is created from flourishing local business combined with a residence that feels safe, is active, and has many opportunities to interact with other residents, making it an ideal spot for apartment living. Local shops such as bookstores, theatres, and restaurants that receive high ratings by residents tend to create very charming atmospheres, call us crazy. Meanwhile, neighborhoods that are not as charming have a higher percentage of chain stores, pawn shops, strip clubs, credit loan stores, crime, and do not have access to community institutions such as parks, town halls and flea markets.
Using the charm scores of every street for every capital, we found the overall charm score for each. Those that ranked highest received high charm scores across their entire city while those that ranked lowest had much fewer charming pockets. However, every city has its own pockets of charm, so we included information on which street and neighborhood is the most charming in each city.
How did your state capital fare?
Rank | Charm | Capital | State | City's Most Charming Street |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 93.47 | Boston | MA | Boylston Street |
2 | 87.49 | Annapolis | MD | Main Street |
3 | 86.29 | Providence | RI | Eddy and Union Street |
4 | 84.37 | Washington | DC | M Street NW |
5 | 81.38 | Madison | WI | S. Henry Street |
6 | 78.84 | Nashville | TN | 7th Avenue |
7 | 77.87 | Sacramento | CA | J Street |
8 | 76.62 | Olympia | WA | Capitol Way Street |
9 | 75.65 | Denver | CO | 24th Avenue and Sheridan Blvd |
10 | 75.14 | Austin | TX | W. 3rd Street |
11 | 74.36 | Montpelier | VT | State Street |
12 | 73.24 | Richmond | VA | W. Main Street |
13 | 73.02 | Santa Fe | NM | Washington Avenue |
14 | 72.82 | Raleigh | NC | Halifax Street |
15 | 72.02 | Salem | OR | Liberty Street |
16 | 71.17 | Boise | ID | W. Idaho Street |
17 | 70.41 | Concord | NH | S. Main Street |
18 | 70.07 | Montgomery | AL | Coast Street |
19 | 69.16 | Columbus | OH | N. High Street |
20 | 68.74 | Indianapolis | IN | Virginia Avenue |
21 | 68.45 | Atlanta | GA | Howell Mill Road |
22 | 67.93 | Little Rock | AR | N. Main Street |
23 | 67.00 | Harrisburg | PA | 3rd Street |
24 | 66.17 | Salt Lake City | UT | W Temple |
25 | 65.65 | Cheyenne | WY | Pioneer Avenue |
26 | 65.52 | Topeka | KS | SE Quincy Street |
27 | 65.00 | Lansing | MI | S. Capitol Avenue |
28 | 64.68 | Springfield | IL | S. 1st Street |
29 | 63.18 | Charleston | WV | Kanawha Blvd E |
30 | 62.63 | Saint Paul | MN | W. 5th Street |
31 | 60.58 | Albany | NY | Eagle Street |
32 | 59.44 | Lincoln | NE | J Street |
33 | 57.99 | Oklahoma City | OK | W. Sheridan Avenue |
34 | 55.95 | Columbia | SC | Main Street |
35 | 55.91 | Des Moines | IA | E. Grand Avenue |
36 | 54.94 | Phoenix | AZ | N. 3rd Avenue |
37 | 54.73 | Helena | MT | N. Last chance Gulch |
38 | 53.61 | Pierre | SD | E. Capitol Avenue |
39 | 53.56 | Baton Rouge | LA | Perkins road |
40 | 52.69 | Tallahassee | FL | S. Davis Street |
41 | 52.49 | Jackson | MS | S. President Street |
42 | 50.68 | Dover | DE | S. State Street |
43 | 49.53 | Frankfort | KY | W. Main Street |
44 | 48.28 | Bismarck | ND | N. 6th Street |
45 | 47.42 | Jefferson City | MO | E. High Street |
46 | 47.08 | Hartford | CT | Aslyum Street |
47 | 42.77 | Augusta | ME | State Street |
48 | 42.07 | Carson City | NV | S. Carson Street |
49 | 40.33 | Trenton | NJ | N. Stockton Street |