These Are the Best Cities for Veterans to Live in the U.S.

America’s veterans deserve a great place to live. And Veterans United Home Loans, the largest VA lender in the U.S., has a few suggestions. 

In May, the lender released its 2024 Best Cities for Veterans to Live list, showcasing the places where Veterans and service members will find all the amenities they specifically need. 

“Our in-depth analysis factors in feedback and priorities from hundreds of Veterans we surveyed, so we can really dig into what those who serve are looking for when it comes to planting roots and building communities,” Chris Birk, vice president of mortgage insight at Veterans United, shared in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure. “These cities, both big and small, are great places to raise a family, offer healthy job markets, an abundance of outdoor activities to enjoy for those kicking off the next chapter after the military, and provide ample opportunities to connect with fellow Veterans.”

Beyond surveying Veterans on what matters most to them, the researchers also analyzed more than 500 metropolitan markets based on 25 separate factors, including cost of living, crime, housing affordability, and whether a place had a “strong Veteran community.” After looking at all the data, it named the Tampa metro area as the top spot thanks to its median home price of $415,500, its high quality of life and veterans community scores, and its lower cost of living score. 

Additionally, the findings noted, “Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater have plenty of day and nighttime activities to appeal to all ages, from multiple amusement parks to museums, theaters, and beautiful sandy beaches.” it added that the area topped the rankings thanks to its high marks for access to fresh foods, median air quality, and quality of healthcare facilities. And, importantly, it added, “the state of Florida also scored high for having no income tax and favorable property tax exemptions for Veterans with disabilities, while also having above-average pre-K-12 state scores.” 

Joining Tampa in the top 10 in order is Rochester, Minnesota; Wichita Falls, Texas; Fargo, North Dakota; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Watertown, New York; Charleston; Medford, Oregon; Altoona, Pennsylvania; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at No. 10.

Want to see the full list and see how your state fairs for veterans? Check out the entire rankings at veteransunited.com.