15 U.S. Cities Where Veterans Thrive: Iowa Has One of Them

Returning to civilian life in Iowa involves many changes for veterans. And on top of it all, some find they need (or want) to move.

But which cities are best?

You likely don’t need us to tell you that some states—and cities within those states—are more veteran-friendly than others. To make it easier to know exactly how the numbers work out, Veterans United gathered data to rank the best cities for veterans.

Whether you’re planning on retiring from the military soon or have already been a veteran for years, you need to know which cities made this list. 

Veteran-Friendly Cities Ranked

Veterans United gathered data from over 500 cities in the United States. In their quest to determine the best cities for veterans, they analyzed themes such as financial well-being, community support, healthcare, and quality of life as it relates to veterans.

Additionally, Veterans United surveyed more than 600 veterans to gain a real-life perspective of the variables connected to living in each city.  

According to 2022 data, 18 million veterans, which is about 6% of America’s population, live in the U.S.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is dedicated to the fair treatment of America’s veterans and, according to one survey, more than half of the population say they view the organization favorably.

The VA plays an essential part in the lives of millions of former military personnel.

But which cities offer more support and are considered the best for veterans? 

1. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida

• Financial well-being: 339
• Community support: 313
• Healthcare and facilities: 64
• Quality of life: 6

2. Rochester, Minnesota

• Financial well-being: 353
• Community support: 276
• Healthcare and facilities: 1
• Quality of life: 127

3. Wichita Falls, Texas

• Financial well-being: 38
• Community support: 1
• Healthcare and facilities: 380
• Quality of life: 335

4. San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas

• Financial well-being: 143
• Community support: 110
• Healthcare and facilities: 318
• Quality of life: 22

5. Fargo, North Dakota-Minnesota

• Financial well-being: 324
• Community support: 408
• Healthcare and facilities: 3
• Quality of life: 57

6. Punta Gorda, Florida

• Financial well-being: 366
• Community support: 31
• Healthcare and facilities: 156
• Quality of life: 38

7. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia-North Carolina

• Financial well-being: 367
• Community support: 9
• Healthcare and facilities: 438
• Quality of life: 62

8. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida

• Financial well-being: 441
• Community support: 151
• Healthcare and facilities: 482
• Quality of life: 7

9. Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Florida

• Financial well-being: 447
• Community support: 3
• Healthcare and facilities: 424
• Quality of life: 130

10. Watertown-Fort Drum, New York

• Financial well-being: 156
• Community support: 81
• Healthcare and facilities: 34
• Quality of life: 113

11. Charleston-North Charleston, South Carolina

• Financial well-being: 402
• Community support: 143
• Healthcare and facilities: 89
• Quality of life: 12

12. Medford, Oregon

• Financial well-being: 400
• Community support: 18
• Healthcare and facilities: 323
• Quality of life: 15

13. Altoona, Pennsylvania

• Financial well-being: 56
• Community support: 131
• Healthcare and facilities: 16
• Quality of life: 135

14. Sioux Falls, South Dakota

• Financial well-being: 173
• Community support: 357
• Healthcare and facilities: 2
• Quality of life: 217

15. Dubuque, Iowa

• Financial well-being: 51
• Community support: 332
• Healthcare and facilities: 257
• Quality of life: 31

Florida’s Veteran-Friendly Programs

The Tampa Bay metropolitan area tops the list of best American cities for veterans, which is a point of pride for the Florida government.

A 2023 report by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs highlighted state programs and initiatives that help an estimated 1.5 million Florida veterans. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis promised to make the state the most veteran-friendly in the U.S. 

Along with state services, Florida partners with financial businesses to offer career fairs that connect veterans with employers.

Among the organizations that help Florida veterans are the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

Veteran Benefits in Texas

Wichita Falls and San Antonio made the cut for veteran-friendly cities. That aligns with VA Claims Insiders’ ranking of Texas as the number one state for veteran benefits.

The Lone Star State offers major tax exemptions for disabled veterans and free in-state college tuition for veterans and their families. 

Furthermore, Texas offers employment preference for certain veterans and programs that help veteran entrepreneurs.

Texan veterans also enjoy housing and financial assistance; the Texas Veterans Land Board gives veterans low interest rates for property and home improvement loans. 

Veteran Numbers on the Decline

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans with military experience is declining. The percentage of veterans in the U.S. fell from 18% in 1980 to 6% in 2022.

The Department of Veterans Affairs predicts that the number of living American veterans will continue to decline over the next 25 years.

Furthermore, fewer people in Congress are expected to be veterans, as the number of veteran congresspeople dropped from 81% in 1975 to 18% in 2022.