← Utah | Full Rankings | Virginia →
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 be the perfect place to begin your next mission.
Vermont at a Glance
Veteran Population: The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 32,714 Veterans lived in Vermont during 2020–2024.
Veteran Employment: BLS estimated roughly 36,000 Vermont Veterans age 18+ in 2025, including about 17,000 in the civilian labor force and approximately 17,000 employed. Its estimated Veteran unemployment rate was 1.1%, but Vermont’s small sample size means that figure should be interpreted cautiously.
State Unemployment: Vermont’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6% in July 2026, compared with 4.1% nationally.
Housing: The Census Bureau reports a 2020–2024 median owner-occupied home value of $316,600. More current market data show the pressure buyers actually face: Redfin reported a statewide median sale price of $447,390 in July 2026.
Rent: Zillow reported a statewide average asking rent of $2,200 in early September 2026 across all bedrooms and property types, 10% above its national comparison.
Military Retirement: Beginning with tax year 2025, Vermont exempts all qualifying military retirement and survivor benefit income for taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less, with a phased exemption between $125,000 and $175,000.
Major Career Fields: Healthcare, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, technology, education, government, construction, professional services and the outdoor economy all play meaningful roles in Vermont.
Best For: Veterans who want a smaller-state lifestyle, serious access to the outdoors and opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, technology, government or skilled trades—and who are comfortable trading a huge metropolitan job market for mountains, small cities and tighter communities.
The Short Version
Vermont makes the strongest case to Veterans who care as much about where they live as what they do for work. The state has exceptionally low unemployment, real military connections through the Vermont National Guard, useful career pathways in healthcare and advanced manufacturing, and outdoor access that is difficult to beat.
The catch is housing. Vermont is not the inexpensive rural New England option people sometimes imagine, and its small population means specialized careers can require more planning than they would in a major metro.
Table of Contents
• Veteran Snapshot
• Why Veterans Choose Vermont
• Vermont by the Numbers
• Employment Outlook for Veterans
• If Your MOS Was…
• Education Opportunities
• Veteran Benefits in Vermont
• 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 Vermont
• Pros & Cons
• Is Vermont Right for You?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How Does Vermont Compare?
Veteran Snapshot
Vermont does military connection differently.
You will not find a Fort Cavazos-sized installation or a sprawling military metro here. Vermont is one of the smallest states in the country, with an estimated population of 644,663 in July 2025, and the Census Bureau estimates 32,714 Veterans lived in the state during 2020–2024.
But military life is not absent.
The Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing operates from South Burlington. The wing flies the F-35 and has approximately 1,000 assigned personnel.
Then there is Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, home of the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School. This is not a ceremonial military connection: the school trains U.S. and foreign military personnel in mountain and cold-weather operations.
That combination gives northwestern Vermont—particularly the Burlington, South Burlington, Colchester and Essex area—a military footprint that may surprise Veterans who think of Vermont primarily in terms of ski towns and maple syrup.
The state also has a comparatively visible Veteran population. Census estimates put Veterans at roughly 6% of Vermont’s total population, though the precise share varies depending on the population measure used.
What Vermont does not have is a giant post-military ecosystem built around major active-duty installations.
For some Veterans, that is a disadvantage.
For others, that is exactly the point.
Why Veterans Choose Vermont
Vermont appeals to a particular kind of post-military plan.
Maybe you are not trying to find the biggest defense-contracting market in America. Maybe you want a place where you can work in healthcare, manufacturing, government, technology or a skilled trade—and then be on a trail, lake or ski slope instead of sitting in traffic for the rest of the evening.
That is Vermont’s pitch.
The state’s economy includes advanced manufacturing operations such as GlobalFoundries and GE Aerospace alongside smaller manufacturers and specialty companies. Vermont’s economic-development agency also identifies healthcare, software and technology, professional services, construction, financial services, renewable energy, agriculture, food and beverage, forest products and outdoor recreation among important sectors.
Vermont’s technology sector includes about 22,900 tech workers and nearly 1,938 technology businesses, according to ThinkVermont.
Then there is the outdoor economy.
Outdoor recreation contributed $2.2 billion to Vermont’s economy in 2024 and supported 16,682 jobs. That means “outdoor lifestyle” is not simply something Vermont puts in relocation brochures. It is an actual piece of the state economy.
The location can work in Vermont’s favor, too. Burlington provides access to Montreal to the north, while southern Vermont puts residents within reach of western Massachusetts and New York. Eastern Vermont connects into New Hampshire and the Upper Valley.
But Vermont requires a realistic budget.
The housing market has become expensive enough that a Veteran relocating from a lower-cost state could experience sticker shock. Redfin’s July 2026 statewide median sale price was $447,390, and Zillow’s September statewide asking-rent measure reached $2,200.
In Vermont, the mountains may be close.
The cheap house may not be.
Vermont May Be a Great Fit If You…
✓ Want mountains, forests, lakes and four-season outdoor recreation to be part of everyday life
✓ Prefer smaller communities and cities over large metropolitan areas
✓ Have experience that translates into healthcare, advanced manufacturing, aviation, maintenance, IT, government or skilled trades
✓ Want to stay connected to the National Guard or military community in northwestern Vermont
✓ Are a military retiree who may benefit from Vermont’s newer retirement-income exemption
✓ Are comfortable building a career in a smaller, more regional labor market
You May Want to Think Twice If You…
✕ Need a large defense-contracting ecosystem
✕ Expect rural Vermont to mean inexpensive housing
✕ Want warm winters
✕ Need extensive public transportation
✕ Work in a highly specialized field that requires a deep pool of employers
Vermont by the Numbers
| Metric | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 | 644,663 |
| Veterans, 2020–2024 | 32,714 |
| Median household income | $81,203 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $316,600 |
| Median gross rent, 2020–2024 | $1,234 |
| Average asking rent, Sept. 2026 | $2,200 |
| Median home sale price, July 2026 | $447,390 |
| State unemployment, July 2026 | 2.6% |
| Veteran-owned employer firms, 2023 | 606 |
Census data put Vermont’s median household income at $81,203 and its population at 644,663 in July 2025. The Census Bureau also counted 606 Veteran-owned employer firms in its 2023 business data.
The housing figures require context.
The Census Bureau’s $316,600 median owner-occupied value covers a multi-year 2020–2024 period. Redfin’s $447,390 figure measures actual statewide home sales in July 2026. Zillow’s typical Vermont home value was $405,980 at the end of July. Different methodologies, same larger message: Vermont housing has become a serious relocation consideration.
Rental data tell a similar story. The Census Bureau’s longer-term median gross rent was $1,234, while Zillow’s current statewide asking-rent measure reached $2,200 in September 2026.
Bottom line: Vermont is small and its unemployment rate is low, but neither of those things automatically makes it inexpensive.
Employment Outlook for Veterans
Vermont’s job market rewards a different strategy than a state with several million residents.
You are not choosing between ten giant metros.
You are choosing an industry, a region and often a relatively small group of employers.
That makes understanding where your military skills fit especially important.
Manufacturing & Aerospace
Vermont has more industrial depth than its rural image suggests.
ThinkVermont highlights major operations including GE Aerospace and GlobalFoundries, alongside companies such as Chroma Technology, Agilent and Vermont Precision Tools. Manufacturing is also a major contributor to Vermont exports.
That creates obvious pathways for Veterans with experience in:
• Aircraft maintenance
• Electronics
• Mechanical systems
• Quality assurance
• Production supervision
• Industrial maintenance
• Supply and logistics
• Engineering
• Safety
• Technical troubleshooting
For an aviation maintainer, mechanic, machinist or technical NCO, Vermont deserves more attention than the size of the state might suggest.
Healthcare
Healthcare matters everywhere. In a rural state with an aging population, it matters even more.
Census data show 22.8% of Vermont residents were age 65 or older, and healthcare and social assistance generated more than $6.8 billion in statewide receipts/revenue in 2022.
That supports career paths in nursing, medical technology, behavioral health, administration, emergency services, health IT and clinical support.
Vermont’s healthcare employment is not confined to Burlington, either. Regional hospitals and healthcare organizations are important employers throughout the state.
Technology
Vermont is not Boston, Northern Virginia or Silicon Valley.
It also is not a technology desert.
ThinkVermont reports roughly 22,900 tech workers, 1,938 tech businesses and approximately 1,600 projected job openings in the sector. Software, cybersecurity, engineering and healthcare technology are among the areas the state highlights.
That can work for signal, communications, cyber and IT Veterans—particularly if you combine the local market with remote opportunities.
Government & Public Service
Government employment can be especially relevant in a state this size.
Vermont provides Veterans increased access to state hiring, including the ability to apply for certain positions normally limited to current state employees. Vermont law also establishes employment preferences for qualifying Veterans in state positions.
Federal opportunities include positions with the VA and Department of Homeland Security, while the Vermont National Guard offers another route for Veterans who want to continue serving in a reserve capacity.
Outdoor Recreation & Tourism
Here, outdoor recreation is an industry.
The sector supported 16,682 jobs and contributed $2.2 billion to Vermont’s economy in 2024. Tourism supports more than 30,000 jobs statewide.
That can open less traditional transition paths in resort operations, recreation management, equipment manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, marketing and small-business ownership.
Veteran Employment Support
The Vermont Department of Labor operates Veteran Services with Veteran Services Coordinators who are Veterans themselves.
Qualifying Veterans receive priority services that can include job-search assistance, one-on-one career counseling, resume and interview help, training connections and apprenticeship referrals.
And when you are ready to look beyond individual employers, explore Military Friendly® employers recognized for their commitment to the military community.
Ready to Translate Your Military Experience?
Vermont’s smaller job market makes clear civilian language especially important. An employer needs to understand immediately how your maintenance, logistics, technical or leadership experience solves their problem.
If Your MOS Was…
Your military experience does not disappear when you move to a small state. In Vermont, matching it to the right industry matters even more.
| Military Background | Civilian Opportunities in Vermont |
|---|---|
| Aviation / Maintenance | Aerospace Technician, Aircraft Maintenance, Industrial Maintenance Technician, Manufacturing Technician, Quality Specialist |
| Logistics & Supply Chain | Supply Coordinator, Procurement Specialist, Inventory Manager, Warehouse Supervisor, Operations Coordinator |
| Medical & Healthcare | Nurse, EMT, Medical Assistant, Behavioral Health Specialist, Health Services Manager |
| IT & Cybersecurity | Systems Administrator, IT Support Specialist, Network Technician, Cybersecurity Analyst, Software Support |
| Intelligence & Analysis | Business Analyst, Compliance Specialist, Risk Analyst, Data Analyst, Government Analyst |
| Leadership & Management | Operations Manager, Production Supervisor, Project Manager, Public-Sector Manager, Team Lead |
Vermont’s manufacturing and aerospace base makes technical maintenance experience particularly useful. Healthcare creates options statewide, while the Burlington region gives technology and aviation Veterans a broader employer base.
Veterans interested in outdoor recreation can also think beyond the obvious job titles. Logistics, operations, equipment maintenance, emergency management, leadership and risk management all have applications in an industry built around mountains, resorts, trails and recreation businesses.
The important part is translating the mission into the result.
If you need a civilian credential to bridge a specific gap, explore certifications Veterans can earn in under six months.
Education Opportunities
Vermont’s education landscape mirrors the state itself: relatively small, but with several very different options.
The University of Vermont in Burlington is the state’s flagship public university. Vermont State University provides campuses and programs across the state, while Community College of Vermont offers another route for Veterans interested in more flexible or career-oriented education.
Private institutions such as Norwich University also give Vermont an unusually deep military-education connection for a state its size.
Vermont State University allows eligible Veterans to receive academic credit for military courses or service schools when recommended by the American Council on Education, and Service members are encouraged to submit a Joint Services Transcript.
The Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs notes that the majority of Veteran education benefits available in the state—including the GI Bill—are federal benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Vermont National Guard members have separate Guard education-assistance opportunities.
That distinction matters.
Moving to Vermont does not create a new GI Bill. Your federal education benefit comes with you. The question is how efficiently you use it at an eligible Vermont program.
When comparing schools, check whether they accept military training for credit, have dedicated Veteran support, offer the credential your target employer actually values and participate in the programs you need.
You can search current Military Friendly® schools to compare institutions serving military-connected students.
Thinking About Going Back to School?
Before committing four years of benefits to a degree, work backward from the Vermont career you actually want. Your best route may be a bachelor’s degree, technical program, apprenticeship or shorter credential.
Veteran Benefits in Vermont
Vermont’s Veteran-benefit picture improved significantly for military retirees beginning with tax year 2025.
Military Retirement
Act 71 changed Vermont’s treatment of military retirement and survivor benefit income.
Taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less can exclude all qualifying military retirement and survivor benefit income from Vermont taxable income. The exemption phases down between $125,000 and $175,000, and taxpayers at $175,000 or above do not receive the exemption.
That is an important change for retirees evaluating Vermont based on older tax comparisons.
Property Tax
Vermont provides a property-tax exemption for certain qualifying Veterans and survivors.
Eligibility includes Veterans receiving VA disability compensation at a 50% rating or higher, Veterans receiving a non-service-connected pension and certain medically retired Veterans.
State law establishes a minimum $10,000 exemption from appraised value, while municipalities may increase it up to $40,000. The property must generally be the eligible Veteran’s or survivor’s primary residence, and annual application requirements apply in many cases.
The local variation is important.
Two qualifying Veterans living in different Vermont towns may not receive the exact same exemption.
Veteran Employment
Vermont provides qualifying Veterans preferences in state employment, and the Department of Labor offers Veteran-specific employment assistance and priority services.
Recreation Benefits
Qualifying Vermont Veterans with a 60% service-connected disability rating can receive a free hunting or fishing license.
Honorably discharged Vermont resident Veterans can also obtain a Green Mountain Passport for $2 through their town clerk, providing lifetime free day-use admission to Vermont State Parks.
Veteran Assistance Fund
Low-income Vermont Veterans experiencing financial hardship may qualify for one-time emergency assistance for critical needs such as housing and utilities through the state Veteran Assistance Fund.
Burial Benefits
The Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs operates the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center. Eligible spouses and certain dependents may also qualify for burial.
For a broader state-by-state benefits comparison, use the Military Friendly® States Tool alongside information from the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs.
Important: These are Vermont programs and tax provisions. They are separate from federal VA benefits such as disability compensation, VA healthcare, VA home loans and the GI Bill.
Healthcare & VA Resources
Vermont has one major VA healthcare hub and a network of outpatient clinics.
That makes your exact location important.
White River Junction
The White River Junction VA Medical Center is the core of the VA White River Junction Healthcare System.
The system provides care through eight locations in Vermont and northwestern New Hampshire: the medical center plus seven community-based outpatient clinics.
For Veterans who expect to use specialty VA care regularly, the Upper Valley has an obvious advantage.
Burlington
The Burlington VA Clinic gives Veterans in Vermont’s largest population center access to outpatient VA services without driving to White River Junction for every appointment.
That matters because Burlington and the surrounding Chittenden County communities also contain Vermont’s biggest concentration of employers and residents.
Southern Vermont
VA clinics in Bennington and Brattleboro provide primary and specialty outpatient services. Brattleboro’s clinic includes preventive care, mental health and laboratory services, while Bennington offers primary care, mental health and laboratory care.
Rutland & the Northeast Kingdom
The system also operates Vermont clinics in Rutland and Newport. The Newport clinic provides services including primary care, laboratory work, prescriptions and X-rays.
The practical takeaway is simple: Vermont has more VA access points than its small population might suggest, but specialty care can still mean travel.
If VA healthcare is a major part of your life, do not choose a Vermont town based on scenery alone. Check the clinic serving your ZIP code, determine where your specialty care would be delivered and calculate the winter drive—not just the summer one.
Best Cities for Veterans
Vermont does not really have “big cities.”
Burlington, its largest city, would be considered a small city almost anywhere else.
So the better question is: Which Vermont region matches the life you want?
| If You Want… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| Biggest job market | Burlington / South Burlington |
| Technology & advanced manufacturing | Burlington / Essex / Chittenden County |
| Vermont Air National Guard access | South Burlington / Colchester |
| Strongest direct VA medical-center access | White River Junction / Upper Valley |
| State government careers | Montpelier / Barre |
| Aerospace & manufacturing | Rutland |
| Southern Vermont access | Bennington / Brattleboro |
| Skiing & mountain lifestyle | Rutland / central Vermont / Stowe-area communities |
| Lower-key small-town living | Barre / Rutland / regional communities |
Burlington / South Burlington
This is the easiest Vermont recommendation for Veterans who want the broadest possible career market.
Chittenden County had an estimated population of 169,115 in July 2025 and 88,131 jobs at employer establishments in the Census Bureau’s 2023 business data. Its median household income was $96,759.
The region combines healthcare, higher education, technology, manufacturing, state and federal employment, Burlington International Airport and the Vermont Air National Guard.
The tradeoff is predictable: housing.
This is where the tension in the Vermont proposition becomes most obvious. The part of the state with the deepest job market is also one of the places where finding affordable housing can be hardest.
White River Junction / Upper Valley
If VA access is near the top of your list, White River Junction deserves serious consideration.
The VA Medical Center is here, and the Upper Valley economy extends across the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. That cross-border regional market gives Veterans access to healthcare, education and professional employment beyond what Vermont-only population numbers suggest.
Montpelier / Barre
Veterans interested in public-sector careers should look closely at the state-capital region.
Montpelier is tiny by capital-city standards, but state government creates an employment base that is particularly relevant to Veterans with administrative, leadership, logistics, public-safety or program-management backgrounds.
Barre and surrounding communities can expand housing options while keeping you within reach of the capital.
Rutland
Rutland is worth a look for Veterans who want a regional center rather than Burlington.
GE Aerospace gives the area a direct advanced-manufacturing and aviation connection, and Rutland provides access to healthcare, retail, trades and the ski economy. Killington is nearby, making this a particularly interesting region for someone who wants technical work plus immediate outdoor access.
Bennington / Brattleboro
Southern Vermont works differently from northern Vermont.
These communities have smaller local job markets, but they provide access to neighboring Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York markets depending on location.
Both also have VA outpatient clinics.
For remote workers or Veterans whose career is portable, southern Vermont can be especially interesting.
Cost of Living
Vermont is the state where “rural” and “cheap” need to be separated.
Housing is the clearest example.
The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 median owner-occupied home value was $316,600. Zillow’s typical home value reached $405,980 by July 2026, while Redfin put the July 2026 median sale price at $447,390.
Renters do not automatically escape the problem.
Zillow’s September 2026 statewide average asking rent was $2,200, including $2,000 for a two-bedroom unit.
That is a meaningful expense in a state without big-city salaries across every region.
What changes the math?
Burlington / Chittenden County: Best concentration of jobs, but housing demand can make the region expensive.
Montpelier / Barre: Better suited to government careers and central-state access, with a different housing market than Burlington.
Rutland: A regional employment center where manufacturing, healthcare and recreation intersect.
White River Junction: Excellent VA access and a cross-state Upper Valley economy, but housing demand is influenced by the broader regional market.
Resort communities: Beautiful does not mean inexpensive. Ski-country housing can be distorted by tourism, second homes and short-term rental demand.
Rural Vermont: You may find more space, but the financial savings can be offset by longer drives, fewer nearby jobs and limited access to services.
And winter adds its own line items.
Heating costs, snow removal, winter tires and longer cold-weather driving are not theoretical expenses here.
The right Vermont budget is not simply mortgage or rent.
It is housing + transportation + winter + the location of your actual job.
Outdoor Recreation & Veteran Lifestyle
If you leave the military wanting your weekends back, Vermont knows what to do with them.
This is one of the few states where outdoor recreation is simultaneously a lifestyle, a tourism engine and a major economic sector.
The outdoor recreation economy contributed $2.2 billion to Vermont GDP in 2024 and supported 16,682 jobs.
A few ways to use your weekends:
• Hike sections of the Long Trail through the Green Mountains
• Ski or snowboard at Killington, Stowe, Sugarbush, Jay Peak or one of Vermont’s smaller mountains
• Mountain bike the Kingdom Trails in the Northeast Kingdom
• Paddle, sail or fish Lake Champlain
• Camp in Vermont State Parks
• Fish the Batten Kill, Connecticut River and Vermont’s lakes and streams
• Hunt deer, turkey and other game in season
• Explore Smugglers’ Notch
• Hike Mount Mansfield, Camel’s Hump or Killington Peak
• Take the family swimming, hiking or camping without turning the weekend into an interstate expedition
Vermont’s scale helps.
You can live near a job center and still be surprisingly close to trailheads, mountains, lakes and forests.
Qualifying Veterans get an extra benefit: honorably discharged Vermont resident Veterans can obtain the Green Mountain Passport for $2, providing lifetime free day entry to Vermont State Parks. Veterans with a qualifying 60% service-connected disability can receive a free hunting or fishing license.
If your ideal Saturday involves six hours inside a shopping mall, Vermont may not be trying to win you over.
If it involves boots, skis, a bike, a fishing rod or a kayak, the state starts making a lot more sense.
Veteran Reality Check
Vermont can look almost too good in photographs.
Relocation decisions need more than photographs.
First: Housing is a real problem. A small rural state does not automatically mean cheap houses, and current statewide sale prices are well above the Census Bureau’s longer-term home-value estimate.
Second: The job market is small. Vermont’s low unemployment rate is encouraging, but highly specialized Veterans should identify actual employers before relocating.
Third: Winter is part of the budget and the lifestyle. Snow tires, heating, snow removal, dark winter afternoons and driving in difficult conditions are not minor details.
Fourth: Rural VA access requires planning. Vermont has outpatient clinics around the state, but the primary VA medical center is in White River Junction. Specialty care may involve significant travel depending on where you live.
3 Things Veterans Should Know Before Moving to Vermont
1. Do Not Pick the Mountain Town Before You Pick the Career
A ski-town listing can make Vermont relocation look irresistible.
Start with employment.
If your career is in semiconductors or technology, Chittenden County makes more sense. If it is aerospace manufacturing, Rutland deserves attention. If state government is your target, look around Montpelier. If frequent VA specialty care matters, investigate the Upper Valley.
Find the Vermont that supports your weekday life before optimizing your weekends.
2. Vermont’s Military Footprint Is Small but Legitimate
Do not mistake “few major active-duty installations” for “no military community.”
The 158th Fighter Wing in South Burlington has approximately 1,000 assigned personnel, and Camp Ethan Allen hosts the Army Mountain Warfare School.
For Veterans interested in continuing Guard service, aviation or maintaining some connection to military culture, northwestern Vermont has more going on than outsiders may expect.
3. Recheck the Tax Math if You Ruled Vermont Out Before
Military retirees should not rely on old “states that tax military retirement” lists.
Vermont changed its law beginning with tax year 2025. Qualifying taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income at or below $125,000 can now exclude all military retirement and survivor benefit income, with a phased exemption up to $175,000.
That does not make Vermont a low-tax state across the board.
It does mean the calculation for military retirees is considerably different than it used to be.
Pros & Cons
Pros
✓ Exceptional access to skiing, hiking, fishing, camping, biking and other outdoor recreation
✓ Very low statewide unemployment
✓ Advanced manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare and technology opportunities
✓ Vermont National Guard and Army Mountain Warfare School connections
✓ Expanded military-retirement tax exemption beginning with tax year 2025
✓ VA medical center plus outpatient clinics around the state
Cons
✕ Housing is considerably more expensive than Vermont’s rural image suggests
✕ Small overall job market for highly specialized careers
✕ Long, cold winters and added winter-related costs
✕ Limited public transportation outside certain communities
✕ Rural Veterans may face longer drives for specialty healthcare and employment
Is Vermont Right for You?
Vermont is probably a strong choice if…
You want a smaller state where outdoor recreation is part of normal life rather than something you save for vacation.
It becomes particularly compelling if your military background translates into healthcare, aviation, maintenance, manufacturing, technology, government or skilled technical work—and you are willing to choose your location carefully around the job market.
Military retirees under Vermont’s income thresholds also have a better tax proposition than they did only a few years ago.
Vermont may not be the best choice if…
You want inexpensive housing, a massive defense sector, extensive public transportation, warm winters or dozens of employers competing for the same highly specialized skill set.
Veterans who need frequent specialty VA care should also investigate drive times before choosing a remote mountain or rural community.
The G.I. Jobs Take
Vermont is not trying to be the easiest state for every Veteran.
That is actually part of its appeal.
This is a state for someone whose post-military plan sounds less like “find the biggest job market possible” and more like “build a good career somewhere I actually want to live.”
The employment side is stronger than Vermont’s pastoral image suggests. Advanced manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, technology and government all create legitimate transition opportunities. The military-retirement tax change helps. The National Guard connection is real. And few states can compete with Vermont if skiing, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing or simply having mountains nearby is part of the life you want.
But Vermont demands planning.
Housing can hurt. Specialized jobs are concentrated. Winter is not optional.
Find the job first, calculate the housing honestly and check your VA access.
If those three pieces work, Vermont can offer something a lot of Veterans spend years looking for after leaving the military: a genuinely different pace of life without giving up meaningful work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vermont a good state for Veterans?
Yes, for the right Veteran. Vermont offers low unemployment, strong outdoor recreation, Veteran employment assistance, VA healthcare access, National Guard connections and a newer military-retirement tax exemption. Housing costs and the small job market are the major tradeoffs.
What are the best cities in Vermont for Veterans?
Burlington/South Burlington is strongest for overall employment, technology and National Guard access. White River Junction stands out for VA healthcare, Montpelier/Barre for state-government careers and Rutland for manufacturing, healthcare and outdoor access.
What Veteran benefits does Vermont offer?
State programs include qualifying disabled-Veteran property-tax exemptions, employment assistance, state hiring preferences, recreation benefits, emergency assistance and the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery. These are separate from federal VA benefits.
Does Vermont tax military retirement pay?
Vermont now exempts all qualifying military retirement and survivor benefit income for taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less. The exemption phases down between $125,000 and $175,000 and ends at $175,000. The change applies beginning with tax year 2025.
What jobs are good for Veterans in Vermont?
Healthcare, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, technology, government, skilled trades and operations are strong places to look. Veterans with maintenance, aviation, medical, IT, logistics and leadership backgrounds have especially direct civilian translations.
Where do Veterans get VA healthcare in Vermont?
The main VA medical center is in White River Junction. Vermont also has VA outpatient clinics in Burlington, Bennington, Brattleboro, Newport and Rutland as part of the White River Junction healthcare system.
Are there Military Friendly® schools in Vermont?
Veterans can search current Military Friendly® schools in Vermont and compare schools based on their support for military-connected students. Vermont also has public, private, community-college and technical education options.
How can Veterans use the GI Bill in Vermont?
Federal GI Bill benefits can be used at approved Vermont colleges, universities and training programs. Veterans should verify that the specific program—not simply the institution—is approved for their benefit before enrolling.
Is Vermont affordable for Veteran families?
It depends heavily on location and income. Vermont’s current housing market is not especially inexpensive: Redfin reported a $447,390 statewide median sale price in July 2026, while Zillow reported $2,200 average asking rent in early September.
What are the biggest drawbacks of living in Vermont as a Veteran?
Housing costs, a relatively small job market, long winters and longer drives from rural communities to specialized healthcare or employment are the biggest practical drawbacks.
How Does Vermont Compare?
Vermont is one of 50 very different answers to the question: Where should you build your next chapter after military service?
Its strongest argument is not sheer economic scale.
It is the combination of a tight labor market, advanced manufacturing and healthcare opportunities, legitimate military connections, an improving tax picture for military retirees and an outdoor lifestyle that is difficult to replicate.
The tradeoffs are equally clear: expensive housing, winter and a much smaller employer base than states with major metropolitan or defense corridors.
That makes comparison especially important.
Start with the complete Best States for Veterans guide and compare Vermont with the other 49 states before deciding where your next mission should take you.
Up Next: Virginia
We’ve covered Vermont. Now let’s see what Virginia has to offer Veterans looking for their next mission.
← Previous: Utah | Next: Virginia →
Looking for the complete rankings? Visit our Best States for Veterans guide.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vermont Department of Labor, Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs, Vermont Department of Taxes, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Army, Vermont Air National Guard and Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development/ThinkVermont. Current housing figures use Zillow and Redfin where current market measures are more useful than multi-year Census estimates.
