News Summary
Texas has advanced to 21st place in WalletHub’s ranking of states for military retirees, up from 28th last year. The ranking considers economic environment, quality of life, and healthcare for veterans. Texas excels in economic factors but faces challenges in quality of life and healthcare ratings. South Carolina ranks first, while Texas remains committed to supporting veterans through funding initiatives. The state’s population is also growing, with Fort Worth surpassing Austin, reflecting a vibrant community appealing to military retirees.
Fort Worth, Texas – Texas has been ranked No. 21 in WalletHub’s annual assessment of the “Best and Worst States for Military Retirees.” This marks a notable improvement from its previous ranking of No. 28 in 2024. The evaluation considers the suitability of all 50 states and the District of Columbia for military retirees, focusing on three main categories: economic environment, quality of life, and healthcare.
In terms of economic standing, Texas performed well, achieving the sixth-best economic environment for military retirees. Factors contributing to this favorable ranking include housing affordability, job growth, and tax-friendly policies. However, Texas faces challenges in other areas, with a ranking of 32nd in quality of life and 36th in healthcare for veterans. Quality of life metrics include the percentage of veterans in the state, the availability of VA facilities per veteran, the quality of public universities, and favorable weather conditions.
The state’s healthcare rating is based on various factors such as the quality of VA hospitals, the number of mental health counselors available per capita, and statistics related to veteran suicide rates. With a substantial number of veterans facing issues like PTSD, disability, and homelessness, the ranking underscores the importance of comprehensive support services for military retirees.
When selecting a retirement location, veterans must weigh several factors, including state tax policies on military benefits and the overall friendliness of the job market. Texas’s position in the rankings showcases the ongoing challenges for some service members, particularly those with special needs during and after economic struggles.
South Carolina emerged as the top state for military retirees, followed closely by Maryland, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Virginia. In stark contrast, Oregon has been rated as the least favorable state for military retirees, positioned at 51st, while Washington follows closely at 50th.
Recent demographic trends in Texas reveal that Fort Worth has surpassed Austin in population, with over 1 million residents, making it the 11th largest city in the United States. Significant growth was noted in Fort Worth, adding 23,442 residents from July 2023 to July 2024, ranking fifth in numeric population growth nationwide. However, both Houston and San Antonio demonstrated higher growth rates than Fort Worth during this period. Austin itself has a population of 993,588, securing its place as the 13th largest U.S. city.
Surprisingly, Princeton, Texas, has been recognized as the fastest-growing city in the country, with its population doubling over the last five years. The top three largest cities by population remain New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
In the broader context of Texas’s commitment to supporting its veterans, the Texas Lottery contributes over $1.9 billion annually to public education and specific veterans’ assistance programs. Since 2009, more than $246 million has been designated for veterans’ services, indicating the state’s ongoing efforts to support this community.
Personal stories also highlight the draw of Texas for returning military retirees. For example, military veteran Santos Alvarado returned to Texas after living in Germany since the 1970s. Alvarado, who retired in 2011 and receives multiple retirement benefits totaling around $8,500 each month, cites the improved cost of living, ample space, and proximity to family as factors in his decision to retire in Texas.
While Alvarado acknowledges the quality public education system in Germany as beneficial for his children, his return to Texas signifies a desire for a supportive environment alongside family connections.
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Additional Resources
- Fort Worth CultureMap
- Wikipedia: Military Retirement
- Texas Longhorns
- Google Search: Texas Lottery Veterans
- MSN Health
- Google Scholar: Military Retirement in Texas
- Burnt Orange Nation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Veterans in Texas
- Business Insider
- Google News: Texas Military Retirees
