Raleigh again ranks among best state capitals. What makes the city stand out this year?

North Carolina’s state capital was again named one of the best to call home.

Raleigh ranks No. 2 on a list of places with jobs, safety, educational opportunities and other factors that make them appealing, according to findings published Monday, Jan. 17.

To make the list, the personal finance website WalletHub said it used data from the U.S. government and other resources. It studied all 50 state capitals and scored them in four categories: economic well-being, education and health, affordability, and quality of life.

Overall, Raleigh was edged out by Austin, Texas, which received the highest ranking in the nation. But North Carolina’s capital still made its mark, earning top 10 scores in three categories.

Raleigh ranked among the highest for economic well-being, a measure of job, population and business trends, results show. It was also one of the top cities for education and health, which considered the the number of college-educated residents, vaccination rates, and the quality of schools and hospitals, among other factors.

Raleigh earned its highest score for affordability, which weighed costs of living and income. But data shows Triangle-area housing prices have been on the rise since before the coronavirus pandemic, making it difficult for some to afford living in the area, The News & Observer reported.

Also in the WalletHub report, Raleigh ranked No. 12 for quality of life. The category measured the amount of time spent at work, entertainment options, weather, traffic and crime.

The results were released after Raleigh in October was named the eighth-safest city in the country based on economic security, the likelihood of natural disasters and community safety. At the time, figures showed last year saw an increase in gun violence, McClatchy News reported.

WalletHub started ranking state capitals in 2016, and Raleigh has always landed in the top 10. WalletHub experts caution comparing year-over-year placements due to changing criteria.

On the most recent list, the cities rounding out the top five were Madison, Wisconsin; Boise, Idaho; and Lincoln, Nebraska. Landing at the bottom of the rankings was Trenton, New Jersey.