Virginia is beautiful, but there are more benefits for those who have served. In this state, veterans on disability are exempt from property tax on their homes. Surviving spouses may also be eligible. On top of that, the state also has great education benefits for dependents and survivors.
Finally, Virginia has the highest incomes for veterans and a preference for state jobs. Virginia ranks seventh in economy & environment, fifth for quality of life, and 12th in VA healthcare. With statistics like this, it's no wonder why this state definitely deserves to be on the list, right?
We gotta admit — we didn't see this state being on the worst list. Vermont has a few problems it needs to address. The biggest is that Vermont has the highest death rate in the nation for veterans and military personnel. That could be because the quality of healthcare (including mental help facilities) is pretty poor.
According to VTDigger, Vermont’s veteran suicide rate is 88.7% higher than the national average and 138% higher than other states in the area, including New England, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The state of Vermont ranks 33rd in quality of life, drops to 18th in VA healthcare, then plunges to 51st in economic & environment.
Florida has the third-largest veteran population. Veterans with disabilities are eligible for property tax exemptions. On top of that, Florida does not tax personal income offers, education avenues, and numerous job options. Then there’s the warm climate, which encourages people to get out. Fun in the sun is no joke in Florida.
Florida truly has a community that values and supports veterans. Florida ranked tenth in economic & environment, fourth in quality of life, and 24th in VA healthcare. It makes sense why Florida is one of the best places to retire for anyone, whether they're a veteran or not!
At first glance, Nevada can look pretty appealing. It does have tax exemptions for veterans and surviving spouses, but there are a number of reasons this state is on the “worst” list. The most notable offender is that there aren’t any job opportunities for veterans. Those who move there have to jockey for a position.
Due to low opportunities, there is an astounding number of homeless veterans in the state. According to WalletHub, a jaw-dropping 37% of the veteran population is homeless in Nevada. Nevada ranks 33rd in economic & environment, drops to 46th in quality of life, then plunges again to 49th under VA healthcare facilities, and lacks employment and training opportunities.
The state of Minnesota offers property tax exemptions for veterans and those in the military. It’s also one of the states that don’t tax retirement pay. What makes this state unique is that it has a subsistence program for veterans, which offers short-term financial assistance on housing, utility, insurance, and other expenses.
Minnesota also has the Veterans’ Preference Act, which gives vets preference in hiring and promotions for state jobs. Finally, veterans, their spouses, and their dependents are given tuition assistance. This state ranked 17th in economic & environment and ranks second in VA healthcare.
The District of Columbia has the largest population of homeless veterans in the nation. As if that weren’t bad enough, the state is tied with Colorado for the least number of job and educational opportunities for military veterans. Located just down the road from the United States Capitol in Washington DC is the Washington VA Medical Center. Once again, it is rated the worst in the nation.
This facility has a one-star rating, which puts this VA facility at the bottom. A decorated military veteran representing a veteran service organization commented: “Washington VA Medical Center should be a paragon, a place to take foreign heads of state to tour; instead, it’s one of the worst in the nation.” The District of Columbia ranks 38th in economic & environment, slips to 49th in quality of life, and remains at 41st in VA healthcare.
Military retired pay tax exemptions, education and tuition assistance, employment services, special military vehicle tags, and hunting and fishing license privileges are just a few of the specific benefits that Maryland provides for Service members, Veterans, and their Families.
Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled due to circumstances related to their service are exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residence as well. Maryland ranked 19th on economic & environment, first in quality of life, and 19th in VA healthcare.
In the state of Oregon, military veteran retirement pay may qualify for a federal exemption on state taxes. Veterans considered “special case” Oregon residents will have their military retirement pay taxed as regular income.
A high percentage of veterans in Oregon are homeless due to having one of the least affordable housing rates in the nation and a lack of economic opportunity. Oregon ranks 26th in VA healthcare, then slips to 27th in economic & environment, then slips further down to 51st in quality of life.
New Hampshire has a lot to offer veterans that are looking for a new start. First of all, veterans are eligible for property tax credits. They’re also given preference for city and district jobs to increase employment opportunities. Like other states, New Hampshire has a high number of veteran-owned businesses.
For dependents, this state offers free tuition for state universities to children of military members who have passed while in service. New Hampshire ranked eighth on economic & environment, and quality of life ranked eighth, but VA healthcare isn’t as good as some of the others on the list.
Given that Washington has the sixth-largest active-duty military presence in the country, with more than 60,000 service members, 90,000 dependents, and 19,000 reservists, according to the Washington State Department of Commerce, the state's low ranking may come as a surprise.
Have heart though the state offers property tax exemptions, state hiring preferences, home loan aid, social services, benefits associated with vehicle licensing, and privileges to hunt and fish are all provided by Washington State. Washington ranks 35th in quality of life, then slips to 43rd in economic & environment, then slips further down to 46th in VA healthcare.
Alaska has the most military veterans, with 13% of the population being veterans. This is the only state where the veteran population does not expect to shrink but grow significantly. Alaska offers tons of benefits, such as land discounts and land purchase preference, housing and residential mortgage programs, and property tax exemptions.
In addition to all this, veterans also get military credit for state retirement, state employment preference, waiver of the commercial driving skills test, and free tuition for surviving spouses or dependents. No wonder it’s so beloved by veterans! Alaska ranked fifth in economic & environment, sixth in quality of life, and 29th in VA healthcare.
New Mexico has a lot of problems. In general, it has a low median family income and a high violent crime rate. For veterans, it doesn’t get much better. Health care, in particular, is bottom-of-the-barrel. The main VA Medical Center in Albuquerque may be responsible for around 58,000 patients, but it’s among the lowest-ranking VA hospitals in the country - according to Albuquerque Journal.
New Mexico is also not taking steps toward fixing its ranking. It’s been on the list of worst places for several years now. Since there are so many other options, just look elsewhere. New Mexico ranks 26th in quality of life, then drops to 40th in VA healthcare facilities, and plunges to 48th in economic & environment.
Veterans looking to start their own business might want to check out South Carolina, it came in first place for the highest percentage of veteran-owned businesses. Another plus is the low cost of living. Active duty pay is taxable, but reserve and National Guard pay are tax-free. Up to $11,700 of retired pay is tax-free, and if you are 65 or older, that amount increases to $24,000. Permanently and totally disabled veterans are eligible for a homestead tax deduction, and a total exemption of property tax on their homes. This exemption can transfer to a surviving spouse and may also transfer to a new home.
South Carolina offers veterans a preference for state and public jobs. The state provides free tuition for children of fallen heroes, as well as permanently and totally disabled veterans. South Carolina ranks third in quality of life, 26th in economic & environment, and 22nd in VA healthcare.
The state of Mississippi’s two VA hospitals ranks as some of the worst in the nation. The state also has a lack of economic, education, and job opportunities for veterans and military families.
The only thing Mississippi has going for it is that it has the fewest number of homeless veterans in the nation. While that’s great and all, veterans still need quality medical care. Mississippi ranks 22nd in economic & environment, drops to 32nd in quality of life, then drops again to 50th in VA healthcare.
Maine is best known for its delicious seafood, but it has more than just lobster. In Maine, veterans are eligible for property tax exemptions. They can also get a waiver of tuition at state universities for themselves and their dependents.
One of the best things about this state is that it boasts that 10.5% of private businesses are veteran-owned. Maine also doesn’t tax military retirement pay, but it does have a state income tax. The economic & environment in Maine ranks 14th, while VA healthcare is ranked sixth.
Sand Dog has to be great for vets to retire out of, right? Wrong. According to the Legislative Analyst's Office in California, 7.5 percent of California’s veteran population was below the poverty level, compared to 14.3 percent of Californians overall. This state has the largest population of sheltered homeless veterans at roughly 16 percent of the total population across the United States.
With high housing prices, lack of housing, and low job opportunities it's no wonder this state ranks so low for vets. California ranks tenth in quality of life, 50th in economic & environment, and 17th in VA healthcare.
South Dakota is one of the most beautiful states in America, and it has nice benefits for those who served. Disabled veterans in South Dakota can enjoy property tax exemptions. It also gives a $500 bonus for current or former military members who remain as residents for six months.
South Dakota offers employment preference for all state, county, and local jobs, as well as free tuition for veterans and their families. South Dakota ranks ninth in economic & environment, ranks seventh in VA healthcare, but drops to 24th in quality of life.
In this state, over 7.7% of veterans are unemployed as opposed to the 2.9% of the state overall. This coupled with the high housing prices makes it a rough place for veterans looking to retire. While the fresh air and being in striking distance of many large cities might seem like a great idea at first it might be best to look elsewhere.
Rhode Island has an abysmal ranking in quality of life coming in at 45th. For job opportunities, they come in at 40th in economic & environment. For VA healthcare, they come in at 20th.
Veteran students in Connecticut can take advantage of generous scholarship options. Veterans with at least 90 days of active duty and an honorable discharge are entitled to full tuition at public colleges and universities in Connecticut for the academic year.
Veterans who served in the military for at least ninety (90) days, including in the Merchant Marines during World War II, are entitled to a $1,500 exemption on property taxes. You can choose to apply this exemption to either your real estate or vehicle taxes. With such great opportunities, it's no wonder vets love this state. Connecticut ranks 27th in quality of life, 42th in economic & environment, and first in VA healthcare.
Veterans in Iowa commit suicide at a rate that is more than 50% higher than the state average. 7.6 percent of Iowa's population are veterans. Among the veterans, 5.7 percent live in poverty, and many of them are homeless. It might come as no surprise that a middle-of-nowhere state has poor VA health care as well.
The Iowa City VA stated that 232 veterans had been waiting between one and two years, while 537 veterans wait as long as 91 and 180 days for a clinical visit. Iowa ranks 34in quality of life, 36rd in economic & environment, and 38th in VA healthcare.
Veterans who have been determined to be totally and permanently disabled by the US Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exclusion. In this state, veterans and their families are eligible for exemptions from property taxes, state employment favors, and financial aid for education and tuition.
To add the first $45,000 appraised value of a vet's home is exempt from taxation. North Carolina ranks 14th in quality of life, fourth in economic & environment, and 30th in VA healthcare.
It may come as no surprise to some that this state comes in low for veterans. With VA wait times at clinics being long, housing prices skyrocketing, and education and job opportunities low; many vets are strikingly aware of how poor this state is to retire in. Vets travel through this region often when coming or going to a station while on active duty.
Alas, Illinois veterans make up only 5.7% of the total population. This is among the lowest density of veterans of all states. The voices this state needs to listen to are there. The state is just not listening. Illinois ranks 43rd in quality of life, 37th in economic & environment, and 23rd in VA healthcare.
Alabama provides unique advantages to service members, veterans, and their families, including state tax breaks, exemptions from property taxes, a tuition scholarship program, financial aid for education and tuition, vehicle tags, preference in hiring for state jobs, and privileges for hunting and fishing licenses. Residents of Alabama who are over 65, blind, or totally disabled are eligible for a homestead exemption from all state, county, and city property taxes. Amazing!
Alabama currently represents 1.4% of the total businesses and 1.8% of the total Veteran Owned Businesses in the United States. 11.8% of the total number of businesses in Alabama are majority-owned by veterans which is nearly 31% higher than the national state average of 9.04%. Alabama ranks 16th in quality of life, second in economic & environment, and 44th in VA healthcare.
Ohio largely only honors vets that are majorly disabled or surviving dependents. Many states, unfortunately, do that. It will come as no surprise that a state that asks their young to give up their youth to serve, is perfectly comfortable only honoring them if they come back severely injured or dead.
Hey though, there are camping perks here, so if you end up homeless at least you can pitch a tent. The suicide for male veterans in Ohio is 42%. Nearly half of all male vets in this state kill themselves. This is a sad reality for some of those that took up the torch to stand watch. Ohio ranks 42nd in quality of life, 41st in economic & environment, and 11th in VA healthcare.
Many veterans enjoy this state very much. Hawaii exempts veterans with complete disabilities from paying property taxes. The State of Hawaii may grant up to $5,000 to qualified veterans who are totally disabled for the purpose of buying or upgrading a property to make it more accessible for people with disabilities.
They have a rehabilitation center for vets, tuition assistance, fancy license plate, hunting, and fishing permit discounts, and unlike many other states, they offer a burial plot. Hawaii ranks 22nd in quality of life, 23rd in economic & environment, and eight in VA healthcare.
Something is going on in New York. The state of New York has the least military veterans in the nation. However, the state boasts the most VA healthcare facilities for veterans. Unsurprisingly, the state ranks third in VA healthcare, but what about the rest of it?
Economically, New York property taxes are among the highest in the nation. The state has the lowest percentage of veteran-owned businesses. Overall, it’s extremely expensive to live in the state, so veterans often have a hard time affording it. New York ranks 48th in quality of life and plunges to 49th in economic & environment.
Massachusetts has a lot to offer veterans. Those who have served receive tax exemptions for their vehicles, and disabled vets don’t have to pay sales tax. The tax benefits keep rolling considering Massachusetts also doesn’t tax retirement pay, although it does have a state income tax.
Finally, property taxes are exempted for disabled veterans. For children of vets, there is a tuition waiver in all state universities and colleges. Massachusetts ranks 18th in economic & environment and ranks fourth in VA healthcare. However, the state can be quite expensive for some.
Two veterans killed themselves during the course of a weekend in Georgia's Dublin and Decatur VA hospitals, garnering widespread media attention. In his room at the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville, a third veteran committed suicide a few weeks later.
In Georgia, there are over 30 veterans who commit suicide for every 100,000 people, and this rate is rising. In this state, the unemployment rate for veterans is 4%. Yes, they absolutely tax military retirement pay. Thank you for your service, we will now tax the money we pay you in from taxes. Georgia ranks 23rd in quality of life, 15th in economic & environment, and 48th in VA healthcare.
Utah is a terrific place for veterans for a variety of reasons. The first thing we want to point out is that Utah used to not provide any unique tax incentives for retired military personnel. However, a new tax credit is available for military retirement salary as of the 2021 tax year. Ivins, Ogden, Payson, and Salt Lake City are the locations of the state's other four veteran homes.
Members of the reserve and active duty who have served for at least 200 days may be eligible for a complete exemption from real estate taxes. They also provide access to the Bluffdale state veterans cemetery. Utah ranks first in economic & environment, 31st in quality of life, but plunges to 42nd in VA healthcare.
Despite the presence of five military facilities in the Colorado Springs region, there are now more homeless veterans on the streets than there were ten years ago. Veterans who are homeless makeup roughly 30% of the homeless population in this state, according to PPCoC. Veterans account for almost one in seven suicides in Colorado, and their unemployment rate is at 4%.
This state ranks last on our list because of all of the above, as well as the additional disadvantages of a lack of employment and educational opportunities and subpar VA care. Colorado ranks 20th in quality of life, 45th in economic & environment, and 25th in VA healthcare.
