Austin Recognized as the Best City for Veterans to Live in 2024
Big news for the veterans out there! Austin, the capital of Texas, has snagged the title of the No. 1 best city for veterans to live in 2024, according to a recent report by a personal finance website. This isn’t the first time the city has taken a top spot on such lists, but this year’s report sure highlights some pretty impressive factors that make Austin a true haven for those who have served.
The report, titled “Best & Worst Places for Veterans to Live (2024)”, analyzed 100 of the most populous U.S. cities based on a whopping 19 different factors. These included things like veteran unemployment rates, income growth for veterans, housing affordability, and overall quality of life. With an impressive score of 71.29 out of 100, Austin came out on top!
But Austin isn’t flying solo at the top. The other cities rounding out the top five include Orlando, Florida at No. 2, Raleigh, North Carolina at No. 3, Tampa, Florida at No. 4, and Virginia Beach, Virginia at No. 5. Not too shabby!
When diving deeper into the report, it is easy to see what gives Austin the edge. The city boasted top rankings in two major categories: overall quality of life (No. 4) and employment (No. 10). Additionally, Austin held its ground with a national ranking of No. 13 for the economy and No. 32 for health services.
Austin’s success is largely attributed to its high-quality universities and the potential for income growth among veterans. On average, veterans in Austin take home about $59,000 per year — which is better than many other cities. The city also has a solid job growth rate and is projected to see the second-largest increase in veteran population from 2023 to 2050. This means veterans can build a community as they transition back into civilian life.
A central factor for veterans when relocating is the strength of the veteran community. According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, Austin not only offers excellent educational and employment opportunities but also a welcoming environment for anyone who’s served. This sense of belonging goes a long way in helping veterans settle down comfortably.
Add to that the fact that Austin has the 11th highest number of restaurants and attractions offering military discounts! That makes dining out and enjoying entertainment even sweeter for veterans who want to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Austin might have taken the top spot, but it wasn’t alone in representing Texas. Laredo cracked the top 12, landing at No. 12, while cities like Fort Worth (No. 20), Plano (No. 22), Dallas (No. 25), and San Antonio (No. 28) also found their way into the top 50. Texas did have a mixed result overall though; it was ranked 28th in the 2024 study of “Best & Worst States for Military Retirees”.
On the flip side, it’s always good to know which cities to avoid. The bottom five cities for veterans include Newark, New Jersey (No. 100), followed by Detroit, Michigan (No. 99), Memphis, Tennessee (No. 98), Baton Rouge, Louisiana (No. 97), and Indianapolis, Indiana (No. 96). Clearly, these cities have some work to do!
In a nutshell, Austin shines bright for veterans looking to start fresh in a new city. With its thriving economy, welcoming community, and dedication to supporting veterans, it’s easy to see why so many veterans and their families are flocking to the Lone Star State’s capital. So if you’re a veteran or know someone who is, Austin might just be the perfect place to call home.
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