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Part of the G.I. Jobs 50 States of Opportunity for Veterans series.
Using the Military Friendly® States Tool, this series explores what makes each state unique and why it may—or may not—be the right place to begin your next mission.
Texas at a Glance
Veteran Population: 1,402,357 Veterans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 estimates.
Veteran Employment: The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated about 1.6 million Texas Veterans age 18+ in 2025, with approximately 886,000 employed and a Veteran unemployment rate of 3.1%.
State Unemployment: 4.5% in July 2026, compared with 4.1% nationally.
Housing: The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 median owner-occupied home value was $283,800. Redfin reported a statewide median sale price of $344,261 in July 2026.
Taxes: Texas does not impose an individual state income tax, so military retirement and civilian wages are not subject to Texas individual income tax.
Military Footprint: Texas has one of the largest and most diverse military communities in America, including Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Cavazos, Fort Bliss, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Dyess Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base.
Major Career Fields: Aerospace and defense, energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, technology, healthcare, logistics, construction and financial services.
Best For: Veterans who want a huge Veteran community, multiple military and civilian career markets, no individual state income tax, strong education and disabled-Veteran benefits, and enough geographic variety to choose the version of Texas that actually fits.
The Short Version
Texas is not one Veteran relocation option. It is several.
San Antonio may be one of the strongest military-to-civilian transition cities in America, DFW offers enormous corporate and aerospace opportunities, Houston dominates energy and healthcare, Austin brings technology and semiconductors, Central Texas surrounds Fort Cavazos with a massive Army community, and El Paso gives Fort Bliss Veterans a completely different West Texas option.
The benefits can be exceptional. So can the heat, property taxes, traffic and insurance bill. Texas works best when you choose the metro first and the state second.
Table of Contents
- Veteran Snapshot
- Why Veterans Choose Texas
- Texas by the Numbers
- Employment Outlook for Veterans
- If Your MOS Was…
- Education Opportunities
- Veteran Benefits in Texas
- Healthcare & VA Resources
- Best Cities for Veterans
- Cost of Living
- Outdoor Recreation & Veteran Lifestyle
- Veteran Reality Check
- 3 Things Veterans Should Know Before Moving to Texas
- Pros & Cons
- Is Texas Right for You?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Veteran Snapshot
Texas does military scale differently.
More than 1.4 million Veterans live here.
Major installations stretch from El Paso to San Antonio to Central Texas to Wichita Falls.
Then add enormous National Guard, Reserve, defense-contractor and aerospace communities.
That means Veterans do not simply find other Veterans in Texas.
In certain communities, military experience is part of the local language.
Joint Base San Antonio
San Antonio’s nickname—Military City USA—is not marketing pulled out of thin air.
Joint Base San Antonio combines Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base and Camp Bullis.
The region has major missions involving:
• Military medicine
• Basic military training
• Aviation
• Cybersecurity
• Intelligence
• Education and training
• Logistics
• Installation support
• Research
• Defense contracting
• Federal employment
Fort Sam Houston is particularly important for military medicine.
Veterans leaving medical MOSs can transition into one of the largest civilian healthcare markets in Texas without leaving behind the professional network they built in uniform.
San Antonio is also home to the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital.
The result is a city where military transition is not a niche activity.
It is part of the economy.
Fort Cavazos
Fort Cavazos anchors the Killeen-Temple-Copperas Cove region.
The installation is home to III Armored Corps and major Army units and creates a huge surrounding military ecosystem.
Veterans with backgrounds in:
• Logistics
• Heavy equipment
• Maintenance
• Transportation
• Communications
• Cyber
• Intelligence
• Healthcare
• Training
• Operations
• Contracting
will find familiar pathways.
The challenge is making sure you are not choosing Killeen simply because it feels familiar.
The military economy is strong.
The broader professional market is smaller than Austin, San Antonio, Houston or DFW.
Fort Bliss
El Paso’s Fort Bliss gives West Texas another major Army community.
The installation supports armor, air defense, training, logistics and other missions.
El Paso also has an unusual advantage:
It is a substantial city in its own right.
Veterans can pursue careers in:
• Defense
• Healthcare
• Logistics
• Government
• Education
• Manufacturing
• Transportation
• Border-related federal agencies
That gives Fort Bliss Veterans the option to remain connected to the military without relying exclusively on the installation for employment.
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi adds Navy aviation to the Texas military picture.
The region supports:
• Aviation maintenance
• Flight training
• Aircraft support
• Logistics
• Engineering
• Port operations
• Energy
Veterans with aviation backgrounds can combine military-connected opportunities with the civilian economy surrounding the Port of Corpus Christi and Gulf Coast energy sector.
Dyess & Sheppard Air Force Bases
Dyess Air Force Base anchors Abilene’s military community and supports bomber and airlift missions.
Sheppard Air Force Base makes Wichita Falls a major Air Force technical-training community.
Both cities provide Veterans with smaller, lower-cost alternatives to Texas’s giant metros.
They also come with smaller civilian employment markets.
That is the Texas tradeoff in miniature:
You can find a military community almost anywhere.
The civilian career depth depends heavily on where you choose.
Why Veterans Choose Texas
Veterans choose Texas because it lets them build very different lives without crossing a state line.
Want a military-heavy city with healthcare and cyber careers?
San Antonio.
Want corporate headquarters, aerospace, finance and technology?
Dallas-Fort Worth.
Energy, petrochemicals, healthcare and ports?
Houston.
Technology, semiconductors and startups?
Austin.
Army community and Central Texas living?
Killeen-Temple.
Defense plus a more affordable major city?
El Paso.
Aviation and Gulf Coast access?
Corpus Christi.
Texas has enough economic scale that Veterans can pivot industries without necessarily moving states again.
That matters.
Your first civilian job may not be the right one.
Your spouse may need a different employer market.
You may decide five years after separation that defense contracting is not what you want to do forever.
Texas gives you room to change direction.
The state added about 165,600 nonfarm jobs between July 2025 and July 2026, the largest numerical gain of any state.
Texas also has no individual state income tax.
Military retirement is not taxed by the state.
Civilian wages are not taxed by the state.
For a military retiree starting a second career, that combination can be attractive.
Then there are Veteran-specific programs.
Texas offers:
• Hazlewood education benefits
• Veterans Land Board home and land loans
• Significant disabled-Veteran property-tax exemptions
• State Veterans Homes
• State Veterans Cemeteries
• Free hunting and fishing privileges for qualifying disabled Veterans
Those benefits make Texas more than a state that happens to contain a lot of Veterans.
The state has built infrastructure around them.
There is one enormous warning:
Texas is enormous.
Moving to Texas without deciding which Texas you want is like saying you are moving to “the East Coast.”
Technically useful.
Practically insufficient.
Texas May Be a Great Fit If You…
✓ Want access to one of America’s largest Veteran communities
✓ Want no individual state income tax
✓ Receive military retirement
✓ Have aviation, cyber, medical, logistics or maintenance experience
✓ Want defense careers without relying on one installation
✓ Work in energy, technology, manufacturing or healthcare
✓ Qualify for Texas’s disabled-Veteran property-tax benefits
✓ Want strong state education benefits
✓ Want several major job markets available within one state
✓ Prefer warm weather and can handle genuinely hot summers
You May Want to Think Twice If You…
✕ Hate extreme summer heat
✕ Depend heavily on public transportation
✕ Assume no income tax means low taxes overall
✕ Want inexpensive housing in every major metro
✕ Dislike long drives
✕ Want to live far outside a metro while keeping an easy commute
Texas by the Numbers
| Metric | Texas |
|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 | 31.7 million |
| Veterans, 2020–2024 | 1,402,357 |
| Veteran population estimate, 2025 BLS | 1.607 million |
| Veterans employed, 2025 | 886,000 |
| Veteran unemployment, 2025 | 3.1% |
| State unemployment, July 2026 | 4.5% |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $283,800 |
| Current median sale price, July 2026 | $344,261 |
| Owner-occupied housing rate | 62.6% |
| Individual state income tax | None |
Texas is a useful reminder that a strong economy does not automatically mean a low unemployment rate.
The state’s July 2026 unemployment rate was 4.5%, slightly above the national 4.1%.
But payroll employment had increased by 165,600 jobs from a year earlier—the largest numerical increase in the country.
Veterans were performing better.
BLS estimated Texas’s 2025 Veteran unemployment rate at 3.1%.
About 1.607 million Veterans were included in the civilian noninstitutional population estimate.
Roughly 914,000 were in the labor force.
About 886,000 were employed.
Those 2025 figures are based on an 11-month annual average because October data were not collected during the federal government shutdown.
Housing is another place where Texas stereotypes need updating.
Redfin reported a statewide median sale price of $344,261 in July 2026.
That is still manageable compared with many high-cost states.
But Texas housing varies enormously.
A house in El Paso is not an Austin house.
A Killeen budget is not a Dallas budget.
And a Houston mortgage comes with an insurance conversation that a Veteran moving from Colorado may not have expected.
Employment Outlook for Veterans
Texas may have the broadest military-to-civilian career menu in this series.
That does not mean every job exists everywhere.
It means Veterans can choose the part of Texas where their military experience has the most leverage.
Aerospace & Defense
Texas is a major aerospace and defense state.
The state’s advanced-manufacturing strategy specifically identifies aerospace vehicles, aircraft and defense as a priority cluster.
The DFW region is particularly strong.
Fort Worth has a major aerospace and aviation ecosystem.
San Antonio adds military aviation, cyber, intelligence and defense contracting.
Corpus Christi brings naval aviation.
Wichita Falls brings technical aviation training.
Abilene brings Air Force operations.
Central Texas brings Army contracting and logistics.
Veterans with experience in:
• Aircraft maintenance
• Avionics
• Aviation operations
• Engineering
• Acquisition
• Quality assurance
• Cybersecurity
• Intelligence
• Logistics
• Program management
have multiple regions to consider.
Energy
Texas and energy are difficult to separate.
Houston is the obvious center, but energy employment stretches through West Texas, the Gulf Coast and other parts of the state.
The industry includes:
• Oil and gas
• Petrochemicals
• Refining
• Pipelines
• LNG
• Electric power
• Wind
• Solar
• Grid infrastructure
Veterans from nuclear, engineering, maintenance, electrical, mechanical, logistics and safety backgrounds can find strong crossover.
A military maintainer may not know the first thing about a refinery on day one.
The refinery does know what it means to have expensive equipment that absolutely needs to keep working safely.
That part translates.
Advanced Manufacturing & Semiconductors
Texas’s advanced-manufacturing strategy also targets:
• Automotive
• Computers and electronics
• Semiconductors
• Heavy machinery
• Production technology
Austin and Central Texas have become major semiconductor markets.
North Texas has electronics and advanced manufacturing.
The San Antonio region has manufacturing and aerospace.
Veterans with technical maintenance, electronics, engineering and production leadership experience should look beyond defense employers.
A semiconductor fab may not look like anything you worked in while wearing a uniform.
Precision maintenance, process discipline, safety and troubleshooting still matter.
Healthcare
Texas has enormous healthcare markets.
Houston’s Texas Medical Center is one of the most significant medical ecosystems in the world.
San Antonio combines military and civilian medicine.
DFW, Austin, Temple and other regional centers also have major healthcare employers.
Veterans can pursue:
• Clinical careers
• Healthcare administration
• Facilities
• IT
• Cybersecurity
• Supply chain
• Emergency management
• Security
• Operations
• Project management
Medical Veterans have obvious pathways.
So do logisticians, cyber professionals and leaders.
Logistics & Transportation
Texas moves an extraordinary amount of freight.
The state has:
• Major Gulf ports
• International border crossings
• Interstate corridors
• Rail infrastructure
• Air cargo
• Warehousing
• Distribution centers
DFW is a major distribution hub.
Houston combines port, rail, trucking and energy logistics.
El Paso connects cross-border manufacturing and transportation.
San Antonio and Central Texas add major interstate corridors.
Veterans with backgrounds in transportation, supply, movement control and fleet operations should have no shortage of industries to investigate.
Technology & Cybersecurity
Austin gets most of the technology attention.
It deserves some of it.
But Texas technology careers extend into:
• Dallas
• Fort Worth
• San Antonio
• Houston
San Antonio is particularly relevant for military cyber and intelligence Veterans because of its defense and federal missions.
Austin adds commercial technology and semiconductor work.
DFW brings enterprise technology, telecommunications, finance and defense.
Houston combines technology with energy and healthcare.
Veterans do not need to become software engineers to enter technology.
Program management, security, network operations, risk, compliance and technical operations all create pathways.
Financial & Corporate Careers
DFW gives Veterans access to one of America’s largest corporate economies.
Industries include:
• Finance
• Insurance
• Telecommunications
• Aviation
• Technology
• Logistics
• Professional services
• Healthcare
Veterans whose strongest military skill is leadership rather than a specific technical MOS should look closely at DFW.
This is where operations management, project management and corporate leadership can become the transition story.
Entrepreneurship
Texas’s sheer population creates an enormous customer base for Veteran entrepreneurs.
Construction.
Professional services.
Technology.
Transportation.
Government contracting.
Home services.
Consulting.
Food.
Franchising.
Manufacturing.
Veterans considering entrepreneurship also have access to the Texas Veterans Commission and broader state small-business resources.
The opportunity is real.
So is competition.
“Texas has a lot of people” is a market opportunity.
It is not a business plan.
Veteran Employment Support
Texas Veterans Commission employment programs and the statewide workforce system provide employment assistance to Veterans.
The state’s size also means Veterans can compare opportunities among thousands of employers rather than depending on a small group of installation-adjacent companies.
Use the Military Friendly® Employers directory to identify companies with demonstrated military-community programs.
Ready to Translate Your Military Experience?
Texas has enough industries that you do not have to force your MOS into the first obvious defense job. Logistics can become supply chain. Maintenance can become aerospace, manufacturing or energy. Cyber can become banking, healthcare or technology. Leadership can become operations.
If Your MOS Was…
Your military experience doesn’t disappear when you leave the military—it translates.
| Military Background | Civilian Opportunities in Texas |
|---|---|
| Aviation / Aircraft Maintenance | Aerospace, Commercial Aviation, Defense, MRO, Quality |
| Logistics & Supply | Distribution, Ports, Procurement, Energy Logistics, Supply Chain |
| Mechanics / Maintenance | Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive, Industrial Maintenance |
| Medical | Healthcare, Emergency Services, Hospital Operations, Medical Administration |
| Cyber / Communications | Defense Cyber, Commercial Technology, Healthcare IT, Financial Cybersecurity |
| Intelligence | Defense Analysis, Corporate Risk, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Federal Careers |
| Nuclear / Engineering | Energy, Aerospace, Semiconductors, Infrastructure, Advanced Manufacturing |
| Security Forces / MP | Federal Law Enforcement, Corporate Security, Investigations, Emergency Management |
| Construction / Engineering | Infrastructure, Energy Projects, Data Centers, Commercial Construction |
| Leadership / Command | Operations Management, Program Management, Corporate Leadership, Consulting |
Texas rewards Veterans who think beyond job titles.
An Air Force maintainer can pursue aerospace in Fort Worth.
A Navy nuclear Veteran can look at energy.
An Army logistician can target DFW, Houston or San Antonio.
A medic can move into Houston or San Antonio healthcare.
A signal Veteran can choose commercial technology instead of defense.
An intelligence Veteran can move toward cybersecurity, corporate risk or federal work.
And an NCO who spent 15 years managing people, equipment, deadlines and chaos should probably stop searching civilian job boards for “squad leader.”
Operations manager is going to return better results.
If a civilian credential would help close the gap, explore certifications Veterans can earn in under six months.
Education Opportunities
Texas gives Veterans an enormous education menu.
Major institutions include:
• University of Texas system schools
• Texas A&M University system schools
• University of Houston
• Texas Tech University
• University of North Texas
• Texas State University
• University of Texas at San Antonio
• University of Texas at Arlington
• Community colleges
• Technical colleges
Veterans can pursue everything from engineering and cybersecurity to healthcare, energy, aviation and skilled trades.
But Texas has one education benefit that deserves particular attention.
Hazlewood Act
The Hazlewood Act is one of Texas’s signature Veteran benefits.
Qualifying Veterans can receive an exemption from tuition and many required fees for up to 150 semester credit hours at eligible Texas public institutions.
Eligibility rules matter.
This is not a blanket “every Veteran gets 150 free hours” benefit.
Veterans must satisfy current service, residency and other requirements.
The benefit also does not cover every education expense.
The Hazlewood Legacy Act can allow an eligible Veteran to assign unused Hazlewood hours to one eligible child at a time, subject to current requirements.
Certain spouses and children of Veterans who are 100% totally and permanently disabled, missing in action or killed in action may also qualify under separate Hazlewood provisions.
For a qualifying Texas Veteran family, this can be an enormous education benefit.
Do not rely on something your neighbor remembers from when his daughter enrolled eight years ago.
Check the current eligibility rules before making the college budget.
Technical & Community Colleges
Texas has extensive community-college and technical-school networks.
That matters because many of the state’s strongest Veteran career fields do not necessarily require another bachelor’s degree.
Programs in:
• Welding
• Aviation maintenance
• Cybersecurity
• Industrial maintenance
• Semiconductor technology
• Healthcare
• Automotive technology
• HVAC
• Electrical trades
• Logistics
can provide faster pathways into employment.
Veterans should compare Military Friendly® schools and ask:
• How much military training transfers?
• Does the school accept JST or CCAF credit?
• Does Hazlewood apply?
• How quickly are GI Bill enrollments certified?
• Which Texas employers recruit from the program?
• Is the degree actually required for the job?
Thinking About Going Back to School?
Texas Veterans may have access to both federal education benefits and powerful state programs such as Hazlewood. Before enrolling, figure out which benefit should pay for which part of your education—and whether you should preserve eligibility for a later degree or family need.
Veteran Benefits in Texas
Texas’s Veteran-benefit package is one of the reasons the state attracts so many military retirees and transitioning families.
No Individual State Income Tax
Texas does not impose an individual state income tax.
That means Texas does not tax:
• Military retirement through an individual income tax
• Civilian wages through an individual income tax
For military retirees starting second careers, this can be a substantial advantage.
Property taxes require a separate conversation.
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemptions
Texas provides several levels of property-tax relief for disabled Veterans.
For Veterans with service-connected disability ratings from 10% through 100%, partial exemptions can range from $5,000 to $12,000 of property value under the general disabled-Veteran exemption.
Veterans awarded 100% disability compensation because of a service-connected disability and who have either a 100% disability rating or VA determination of individual unemployability can qualify for a total exemption of the appraised value of their residence homestead.
That is a major benefit.
It is also specific.
A 100% exemption on the residence homestead should not be confused with the smaller partial exemptions available at lower ratings.
Certain surviving spouses may continue or qualify for related exemptions under current Texas law.
Veterans Land Board Home Loans
Texas operates something relatively unusual through the Veterans Land Board.
Eligible Texas Veterans and Military Members can use the Veterans Housing Assistance Program to purchase qualifying primary residences.
As of 2026, eligible borrowers may receive loans up to $832,750.
Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater can qualify for a discounted interest rate.
The program is separate from the federal VA Home Loan.
Veterans should compare both options rather than assuming one is automatically better.
Veterans Land Loans
This may be the most Texas Veteran benefit imaginable.
The Veterans Land Board operates a land-loan program specifically for eligible Texas Veterans and Military Members.
In 2026, the standard maximum land-loan amount increased to $200,000.
Eligible Veteran spouses who each qualify may be able to borrow up to $275,000 together for the same tract.
The program generally requires at least 5% down and qualifying land must meet program requirements.
So yes:
Texas has a Veteran program specifically designed to help you buy a piece of Texas.
Of course it does.
One current caveat: the Veterans Land Board placed a temporary moratorium on accepting new Home Improvement Loan applications beginning April 30, 2026 while that program is reviewed.
State Veterans Homes
The Texas Veterans Land Board operates State Veterans Homes serving eligible Veterans, spouses and Gold Star parents.
Facilities are located in several regions of the state, giving families more geographic options for long-term skilled nursing care.
State Veterans Cemeteries
Texas operates State Veterans Cemeteries in:
• Killeen
• Corpus Christi
• Mission
• Abilene
• Lubbock
The West Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Lubbock is a new addition in 2026.
Texas also has major VA national cemeteries in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston and El Paso.
Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing
Qualifying disabled Veterans can receive Texas’s Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package for free.
Eligibility includes qualifying Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 50% who are receiving compensation, as well as certain Veterans who have lost the use of a foot or leg.
The package includes:
• Resident hunting
• Resident fishing
• Archery endorsement
• Freshwater fishing endorsement
• Saltwater fishing endorsement
• Upland game bird endorsement
• Migratory game bird endorsement
The federal duck stamp is not included.
Unlike many state benefits, the Disabled Veteran Super Combo can also be available to qualifying nonresident Veterans.
Use the Military Friendly® States Tool to compare Texas’s benefits with other states.
Healthcare & VA Resources
Texas’s size makes Veteran healthcare both one of its biggest strengths and one of its biggest geographic challenges.
The state has numerous VA healthcare systems.
That is necessary.
Driving from El Paso to Houston for an appointment would be less of a healthcare plan and more of a regional deployment.
Dallas-Fort Worth / North Texas
VA North Texas Health Care System anchors care for Veterans across the DFW region and North Texas.
Dallas is the primary medical-center hub.
Fort Worth and other communities have VA outpatient services.
For Veterans who want a massive civilian employment market and major VA access in the same region, DFW is one of Texas’s strongest choices.
Houston
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center anchors VA Houston Healthcare System.
The system serves southeast Texas through the Houston medical center and 13 locations.
Clinics serve communities including:
• Beaumont
• Conroe
• Galveston
• Katy
• Lake Jackson
• Richmond
• Sugar Land
• Texas City
• Tomball
Houston also has an enormous civilian medical sector.
Veterans with complex healthcare needs may find that combination especially valuable.
San Antonio
Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital anchors South Texas Veterans Health Care System.
San Antonio combines:
• Major VA healthcare
• Military medicine
• Joint Base San Antonio
• Civilian healthcare systems
That makes it one of the strongest healthcare environments for Veterans in the state.
Central Texas
Central Texas Veterans Health Care System operates hospitals in Temple and Waco.
The system also has a multispecialty clinic in Austin and community clinics in:
• Brownwood
• Cedar Park
• College Station
• Copperas Cove
• Killeen
• Palestine
• La Grange
• Temple
That network is particularly important for Veterans around Fort Cavazos.
Austin Veterans have substantial outpatient access but may need Temple or other facilities for some higher-level services.
El Paso
El Paso VA Health Care System serves Veterans in far West Texas.
Fort Bliss makes this a major Veteran population center.
The geographic reality matters.
El Paso is hundreds of miles from the next major Texas metro.
Veterans who need specialty care should understand what is available locally rather than assuming another Texas VA hospital is conveniently nearby.
Texas Valley / Coastal Bend
VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System serves Veterans around the Rio Grande Valley and Corpus Christi.
That gives South Texas and Coastal Bend Veterans a regional network without requiring routine travel to San Antonio or Houston.
West Texas
West Texas VA Health Care System is anchored in Big Spring.
Amarillo has its own VA Health Care System.
Veterans considering rural West Texas need to pay especially close attention to distance.
Texas has excellent VA infrastructure.
Texas also has highways long enough to make you question every life decision that led to mile marker 312.
The Reality
VA access in Texas is highly regional.
Choose your home based on the healthcare system you will actually use.
A beautiful piece of land two hours outside the metro may still be the right decision.
Just know what two hours means when you have a 7:30 a.m. specialty appointment.
Best Cities for Veterans
There is no single best Texas city for Veterans.
That may be the entire point.
| If You Want… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| Strongest overall military ecosystem | San Antonio |
| Biggest corporate career market | Dallas-Fort Worth |
| Energy & healthcare | Houston |
| Technology & semiconductors | Austin |
| Fort Cavazos / Army community | Killeen / Temple |
| Fort Bliss + lower-cost big-city living | El Paso |
| Aviation + Gulf Coast | Corpus Christi |
| Aerospace & defense | Fort Worth / San Antonio |
| Smaller Air Force community | Abilene / Wichita Falls |
| National-level VA access + military culture | San Antonio |
San Antonio
San Antonio may be Texas’s strongest all-around Veteran city.
Joint Base San Antonio gives the region an enormous military footprint.
Industries include:
• Healthcare
• Cybersecurity
• Defense
• Aerospace
• Financial services
• Manufacturing
• Government
• Tourism
• Technology
Veterans can remain deeply connected to the military.
Or leave it behind.
The city also has excellent VA access through Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital.
Housing has become more expensive as San Antonio grows, but it can still offer a better equation than Austin.
For military retirees, San Antonio deserves a very serious look.
Dallas-Fort Worth
DFW is the career-depth choice.
The metro is enormous.
Veterans can pursue:
• Aerospace
• Aviation
• Finance
• Technology
• Logistics
• Healthcare
• Telecommunications
• Defense
• Manufacturing
• Corporate operations
Fort Worth has particularly strong aerospace connections.
Dallas brings the broader corporate ecosystem.
VA North Texas provides major Veteran healthcare.
The drawback?
Sprawl.
A job “in DFW” can be nowhere near the house you just found “in DFW.”
Always map the commute.
Then map it again at 5 p.m.
Houston
Houston is the choice for Veterans targeting:
• Energy
• Healthcare
• Engineering
• Ports
• Logistics
• Aerospace
• Manufacturing
• Petrochemicals
The civilian career opportunities are enormous.
VA healthcare is excellent.
Housing can be relatively attainable for a metro of Houston’s scale.
But Veterans buying here need to investigate:
• Flood risk
• Homeowners insurance
• Windstorm exposure
• Commute
• Property tax
Houston can be financially attractive.
It can also punish lazy due diligence.
Austin
Austin’s strongest Veteran case is technology.
The region has major employers in:
• Technology
• Semiconductors
• Engineering
• Government
• Education
• Healthcare
• Advanced manufacturing
Fort Cavazos is within the broader Central Texas orbit, though Austin itself is not a military town.
Veterans transitioning from cyber, communications, intelligence or technical fields may find Austin appealing.
The biggest drawback is obvious.
Housing.
Austin is not cheap Texas.
It is Austin.
Killeen / Temple
This is the Fort Cavazos market.
Killeen offers one of the state’s deepest Army communities.
Temple adds healthcare, transportation access and a somewhat broader civilian employment base.
Central Texas VA healthcare is a major advantage.
Veterans who want to remain close to Army culture may love the region.
Veterans trying to move completely away from defense and installation-connected employment should compare the broader Austin, Temple and Waco markets before settling automatically in Killeen.
El Paso
El Paso is one of Texas’s most underrated Veteran cities.
Fort Bliss creates a massive Army community.
The civilian economy includes:
• Healthcare
• Government
• Logistics
• Education
• Manufacturing
• Transportation
• Federal employment
Housing can be more approachable than in several Texas metros.
The city also has a distinct culture and mountain landscape that looks nothing like Houston or Dallas.
The drawback is geographic isolation.
El Paso is in Texas.
It is just very, very committed to being on the far left side of Texas.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi gives Veterans a Gulf Coast option with:
• Naval aviation
• Port operations
• Energy
• Healthcare
• Logistics
• Tourism
• Manufacturing
Veterans with Navy or aviation backgrounds may find particularly strong connections.
Housing can be more manageable than Austin.
Storm and insurance risks matter.
So does the heat.
Abilene
Abilene works well for Veterans connected to Dyess Air Force Base.
It offers:
• Defense
• Healthcare
• Education
• Manufacturing
• Regional services
Housing can be more attainable than in Texas’s largest metros.
The professional job market is correspondingly smaller.
Wichita Falls
Sheppard Air Force Base shapes Wichita Falls.
The city can work well for Veterans in:
• Aviation
• Training
• Healthcare
• Education
• Defense support
It offers a smaller-city lifestyle and generally lower housing costs.
Again, find the civilian career before assuming proximity to a base solves the employment question.
Cost of Living
Texas is where the phrase “no state income tax” needs its longest footnote.
Yes, Texas has no individual state income tax.
That is a real financial advantage.
No, that does not automatically make Texas a low-tax or low-cost state for every Veteran.
The Census Bureau reports a 2020–2024 median owner-occupied home value of $283,800.
Redfin reported a current statewide median sale price of $344,261 in July 2026.
But statewide housing figures hide enormous regional differences.
Austin
Austin is expensive by Texas standards.
Technology growth and population growth pushed housing well beyond the state’s old affordability reputation.
Veterans moving for technology careers should compare salary and housing carefully.
Dallas-Fort Worth
DFW has everything from expensive inner-ring communities to more attainable outer suburbs.
The problem is distance.
Moving farther out can lower the mortgage.
It can also turn Interstate 35 or another major corridor into a recurring character in your family life.
San Antonio
San Antonio can offer a stronger housing-value equation than Austin while maintaining a broad job market.
Military demand and population growth still affect prices.
Veterans should compare neighborhoods based on both employer location and installation access.
Houston
Houston housing can look surprisingly affordable compared with other giant U.S. metros.
Then you need to calculate:
• Property tax
• Insurance
• Flood risk
• Windstorm exposure
• Commute
Do not compare Houston homes using purchase price alone.
El Paso
El Paso can offer more attainable housing than several major Texas metros.
That can be especially appealing to military retirees and Fort Bliss Veterans.
The tradeoff is a smaller civilian employer market and distance from the rest of Texas.
Property Taxes
Texas property taxes deserve attention.
There is no state property tax; local taxing units levy property taxes.
Rates vary considerably.
For qualifying disabled Veterans, state exemptions can change the calculation dramatically.
A Veteran receiving 100% VA disability compensation with a 100% disability rating or individual-unemployability determination may qualify for a total exemption on the residence homestead.
Veterans with lower qualifying service-connected ratings may receive partial exemptions.
That means two Veterans buying identical houses could have very different property-tax bills.
No Individual State Income Tax
For working Veterans and military retirees, the lack of an individual income tax can produce meaningful savings.
But run the complete budget.
Property tax.
Insurance.
Sales tax.
Transportation.
Utilities.
Housing.
Texas gives with one hand.
Occasionally the appraisal district introduces itself with the other.
Utilities
Texas summers matter.
Air conditioning is not a decorative appliance.
Veterans comparing homes should pay attention to:
• Insulation
• HVAC age
• Windows
• Shade
• Electric plan
• Home size
A giant Texas house is exciting until August asks you to cool all 3,400 square feet.
Insurance
Insurance varies dramatically.
Gulf Coast Veterans should investigate wind and flood exposure.
North Texas can face hail and severe storms.
Central Texas has severe-weather and wildfire considerations in some areas.
Insurance should be quoted before closing.
Not after you fall in love with the kitchen.
What changes the math?
Your metro.
Your property-tax situation.
Your disability rating.
Your commute.
Your insurance.
And whether the lack of individual state income tax meaningfully offsets those costs.
Texas can be an excellent financial choice.
Just do Texas math instead of stopping at “no income tax.”
Outdoor Recreation & Veteran Lifestyle
Texas is too large for one outdoor identity.
That is part of the fun.
West Texas
Big Bend National Park is the obvious headline.
Veterans can hike, camp, backpack and explore desert and mountain terrain along the Rio Grande.
Nearby Big Bend Ranch State Park adds even more remote country.
This is Texas at its biggest.
Bring water.
Then bring more water.
Hill Country
Central Texas gives Veterans:
• Hiking
• Rivers
• Swimming holes
• Camping
• Fishing
• Mountain biking
• Hunting
Popular areas include:
• Enchanted Rock
• Pedernales Falls
• Garner State Park
• Guadalupe River
• Lost Maples
• Canyon Lake
San Antonio and Austin Veterans can build Hill Country weekends into normal life.
They will not be alone.
Apparently everyone else has also heard about Fredericksburg.
Gulf Coast
Texas has hundreds of miles of coastline.
Veterans can fish, boat, kayak and spend time at beaches from Galveston through Corpus Christi and South Padre Island.
Popular destinations include:
• Padre Island National Seashore
• Mustang Island
• Port Aransas
• Galveston
• South Padre Island
Saltwater fishing is a major part of coastal life.
Qualifying disabled Veterans can receive the state’s free Super Combo hunting and all-water fishing package.
Lakes
Texas has a huge lake culture.
Popular destinations include:
• Lake Texoma
• Lake Travis
• Lake Conroe
• Sam Rayburn Reservoir
• Lake Fork
• Canyon Lake
• Possum Kingdom Lake
Boating and fishing are realistic weekend activities across much of the state.
Hunting
Texas is one of America’s major hunting states.
Opportunities include:
• White-tailed deer
• Mule deer
• Turkey
• Waterfowl
• Dove
• Feral hogs
• Other game under applicable regulations
One complication:
A large amount of Texas land is privately owned.
That means access can require leases, landowner permission or paid opportunities.
Veterans moving from western states with enormous amounts of public land may notice the difference immediately.
State Parks
Texas’s state-park system gives Veterans options across deserts, forests, coastlines, canyons and Hill Country.
The geography changes enough that weekend recreation depends heavily on where you live.
Dallas and Houston Veterans are not taking casual Saturday morning trips to Big Bend.
Texas is big enough that “in-state vacation” can still require eight hours of driving.
Sports & Culture
Veterans who prefer stadium seats to hiking boots have options too.
Texas has:
• NFL
• MLB
• NBA
• NHL
• MLS
• Major college football
• Rodeos
• Motorsports
• Live music
• Barbecue arguments that occasionally resemble theological disputes
College football alone can occupy an alarming percentage of autumn.
Climate
Texas weather depends on the region.
Houston is humid.
El Paso is dry.
The Panhandle gets cold.
Central Texas gets hot.
North Texas gets severe thunderstorms.
The Gulf Coast gets hurricanes.
West Texas occasionally appears to be attempting to remove your patio furniture from the property through wind alone.
Veterans should research the actual climate of the metro they are considering.
There is no single Texas weather.
There is, however, a lot of heat.
Veteran Reality Check
Texas has enough advantages that it is easy to oversell.
So here is the other side.
First: Texas is not automatically cheap.
Housing is affordable relative to some states.
Property taxes, insurance and transportation can change the calculation.
Second: job markets are extremely regional.
Energy in Houston.
Technology in Austin.
Corporate careers and aerospace in DFW.
Military medicine and cyber in San Antonio.
Army-connected work around Fort Cavazos and Fort Bliss.
Pick the career market first.
Third: Texas distance is real.
A job 40 miles away may technically be in the same metro.
That does not mean you want to drive there every day.
Fourth: Veteran benefits are excellent, but eligibility matters.
Hazlewood has rules.
Property-tax exemptions have rules.
Veterans Land Board programs have rules.
A benefit should be verified before it becomes part of your family’s financial plan.
3 Things Veterans Should Know Before Moving to Texas
1. There Is No Single “Texas Job Market”
This is the most important Texas relocation rule.
Do not search statewide for a job and then buy wherever the house looks cheapest.
Texas’s metros specialize.
San Antonio is not Houston.
Houston is not Austin.
Austin is not DFW.
El Paso is practically having its own conversation.
Choose the career market first.
Then choose the house.
2. Texas Has Some Exceptional Veteran Benefits
Hazlewood can dramatically change education costs for qualifying families.
The Veterans Land Board offers dedicated home and land financing.
Qualifying 100% disabled Veterans can receive a total residence-homestead property-tax exemption.
Those are not tiny perks.
They can change long-term household finances.
But they all have eligibility requirements.
Verify first.
Celebrate second.
3. No State Income Tax Is Only Part of the Financial Story
Texas’s lack of individual state income tax is valuable.
Military retirees should absolutely factor it into the decision.
Then factor in:
• Property taxes
• Insurance
• Sales tax
• Utilities
• Commute
• Housing
The right Texas location can work extremely well financially.
The wrong one can make “but there’s no state income tax” feel considerably less comforting.
Pros & Cons
Pros
✓ More than 1.4 million Veterans
✓ One of America’s largest military footprints
✓ No individual state income tax
✓ 3.1% estimated Veteran unemployment in 2025
✓ Multiple enormous civilian job markets
✓ Strong aerospace, defense, energy, healthcare, technology and logistics industries
✓ Hazlewood education benefits for qualifying Veterans and families
✓ Veterans Land Board home and land programs
✓ Total residence-homestead property-tax exemption for qualifying 100% disabled Veterans
✓ Extensive VA healthcare infrastructure
Cons
✕ Property taxes can be substantial without qualifying exemptions
✕ Insurance can be expensive in high-risk areas
✕ Extreme summer heat
✕ Major metros can involve long commutes and heavy traffic
✕ Housing affordability varies dramatically
✕ Gulf Coast hurricane and flood risk
✕ Enormous distances between regions
Is Texas Right for You?
Texas is probably a strong choice if…
You want a huge Veteran community.
You want to remain near a major military installation.
You work in aerospace.
You work in energy.
You work in healthcare.
You have logistics experience.
You are in cyber or intelligence.
You want commercial technology careers.
You receive military retirement.
You qualify for disabled-Veteran property-tax relief.
You can use Hazlewood.
You want enough employer depth to change careers without necessarily changing states.
Or you simply want more options than a smaller state can realistically provide.
Texas may not be the best choice if…
You hate heat.
You want excellent public transportation.
You want low property taxes without qualifying exemptions.
You dislike driving.
You want mild summers.
You want extensive public land immediately nearby.
Or your entire relocation plan is:
“Texas has no income tax and houses look cheap.”
Keep going.
You are not finished with the spreadsheet.
The G.I. Jobs Take
Texas does not need much help making the case that Veterans belong there.
More than 1.4 million already do.
The more useful question is whether Texas makes sense for you.
For many Veterans, the answer will be yes.
The military infrastructure is extraordinary.
The Veteran community is enormous.
The economy is deep enough to support second and third career moves.
The state does not impose an individual income tax.
Hazlewood can provide major education value.
Veterans Land Board programs are unusually practical.
And qualifying disabled Veterans can receive some of the strongest property-tax relief in the country.
But Texas rewards specificity.
“I’m moving to Texas” is not a relocation strategy.
“I’m an Air Force cyber Veteran targeting San Antonio because I want defense and commercial cybersecurity options” is.
“I’m a logistician targeting DFW because my spouse works in finance” is.
“I’m a Navy nuclear Veteran targeting Houston’s energy sector” is.
“I’m retiring from Fort Cavazos and staying in Central Texas because the house is paid off, the VA network works for me and I already have a job” is.
Those are plans.
Texas is big enough to accommodate almost any post-military life.
The challenge is choosing the right piece of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Texas a good state for Veterans?
Yes. Texas combines one of America’s largest Veteran populations, a huge military footprint, no individual state income tax, multiple major job markets and significant state benefits involving education, housing and property taxes.
How many Veterans live in Texas?
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 1,402,357 Veterans lived in Texas during 2020–2024.
What are the best Texas cities for Veterans?
San Antonio is one of the strongest overall military-transition markets. DFW is excellent for corporate and aerospace careers, Houston for energy and healthcare, Austin for technology, Killeen/Temple for Fort Cavazos, and El Paso for Fort Bliss.
Does Texas tax military retirement?
Texas does not impose an individual state income tax, so military retirement is not subject to Texas individual income tax.
Do disabled Veterans pay property taxes in Texas?
It depends on the disability rating and exemption. Qualifying Veterans receiving 100% VA disability compensation with a 100% disability rating or individual-unemployability determination can receive a total exemption on the appraised value of their residence homestead. Lower qualifying disability ratings may receive partial exemptions.
What is the Texas Hazlewood Act?
The Hazlewood Act can provide qualifying Veterans with an exemption from tuition and many required fees for up to 150 semester credit hours at eligible Texas public institutions. Legacy and certain spouse/dependent provisions also exist, subject to specific eligibility requirements.
What jobs are good for Veterans in Texas?
Strong fields include aerospace and defense, energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, healthcare, logistics, cybersecurity, technology, construction, engineering and corporate operations.
Does Texas have special home programs for Veterans?
Yes. The Texas Veterans Land Board operates home and land loan programs for eligible Texas Veterans and Military Members. These programs are separate from the federal VA Home Loan program.
Where can Veterans receive VA healthcare in Texas?
Major VA healthcare systems serve Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Central Texas, El Paso, Amarillo, West Texas and the Texas Valley/Coastal Bend region, with numerous community clinics throughout the state.
Is Texas affordable for Veteran families?
It depends heavily on the metro and the Veteran’s benefits. The statewide median sale price was $344,261 in July 2026, but Austin, DFW, San Antonio, Houston, El Paso and military communities have very different housing markets. Property taxes and insurance should be included alongside the state’s lack of individual income tax.
How Does Texas Compare?
Texas is one of the biggest contenders in the Best States for Veterans series simply because it offers so many different ways to make civilian life work.
Tennessee gives Veterans multiple regional economies and no individual state income tax.
Texas takes that concept and scales it up.
Way up.
San Antonio has one of America’s strongest military communities.
DFW has one of America’s largest corporate job markets.
Houston is an energy and healthcare giant.
Austin is a technology and semiconductor hub.
Central Texas has Fort Cavazos.
El Paso has Fort Bliss.
The state also offers Hazlewood, Veterans Land Board programs and major disabled-Veteran property-tax benefits.
The drawbacks are equally Texas-sized.
Heat.
Traffic.
Distance.
Property taxes.
Insurance.
And enormous differences between regions.
Texas is not automatically the best state for every Veteran.
But very few states give Veterans this many different ways to build a successful next chapter.
Compare Texas with the other 49 states in the complete Best States for Veterans guide.
Up Next: Utah
We’ve covered Texas. Now let’s see what Utah has to offer Veterans looking for their next mission.
Utah brings a very different equation: a smaller Veteran population, Hill Air Force Base and a major aerospace-defense corridor, a strong technology economy, exceptional outdoor recreation and housing costs that require a much closer look.
← Previous: Tennessee | Next: Utah →
Looking for the complete rankings? Visit our Best States for Veterans guide.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas General Land Office and Veterans Land Board, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Office of the Governor of Texas, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense.
