(Undated) -- Salem has a mid-tier ranking on a list of state capitals and how they fare as places to live. WalletHub ranks Salem 27th on its 2017 list of Best State Capitals in which to live. The financial-assistance website used 42 factors to rank each of the 50 cities, with metrics including cost of living and number of attractions. Salem scored high in "economic well-being" and "quality of education and health," but scored lower in "affordability" and "quality of life."