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Part of 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.

If you’re looking for a state where the military-to-civilian transition doesn’t feel like you’re leaving your military network completely behind, Georgia deserves a serious look.

The Peach State has one of the largest military and Veteran communities in the country, nine major military installations, a growing defense and aerospace economy, major universities, technical colleges and a long list of state benefits for Veterans.

And Georgia isn’t just talking about being Veteran-friendly.

The state has built an economy around the skills Veterans bring with them.

From Fort Stewart and Fort Eisenhower to Robins Air Force Base, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay and Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia’s military footprint creates a steady pipeline of experienced service members entering the civilian workforce. Georgia’s economic development officials estimate that approximately 5,000 service members leave Georgia’s military bases each year, bringing skills into defense, aerospace, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.

There’s another reason Georgia is getting attention from military retirees.

Beginning with the 2026 tax year, Georgia expanded its military retirement income exclusion, allowing qualifying Veterans under 65 to exclude up to $65,000 of military retirement income from Georgia taxable income.

That’s a pretty compelling reason to put Georgia on the relocation list.

But taxes aren’t the whole story.

The bigger question is whether Georgia gives you the career, community, education and lifestyle you want after military service.

For a lot of Veterans, the answer may be yes.

Table of Contents

• Veteran Snapshot
• Why Veterans Choose Georgia
• Georgia by the Numbers
• Employment Outlook for Veterans
• Education Opportunities
• Veteran Benefits in Georgia
• Healthcare & VA Resources
• Best Cities for Veterans
• Cost of Living
• Outdoor Recreation & Veteran Lifestyle
• Pros & Cons
• Is Georgia Right for You?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Veteran Snapshot

Category	Georgia
State Population	11,302,748
Veteran Population	601,304
Median Home Value	$303,300
Median Gross Rent	$1,393
Median Household Income	$77,353
Owner-Occupied Housing Rate	65.7%
Major Military Installations	9
Veteran-Owned Employer Firms	9,722
Average Commute	28.3 minutes
State Military Retirement Benefit	Up to $65,000 exclusion for qualifying Veterans under 65 beginning in tax year 2026

Georgia had an estimated population of 11.3 million in 2025 and approximately 601,304 Veterans in the 2020–2024 period. The state’s median owner-occupied home value was $303,300, while median gross rent was $1,393.

Georgia also had 9,722 Veteran-owned employer firms in 2023.

That’s worth paying attention to if your post-military plan involves entrepreneurship rather than simply finding your next employer.

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Why Veterans Choose Georgia

Georgia has a rare combination that works particularly well for Veterans:

Military community + civilian opportunity + relatively manageable housing costs.

You can live near a major installation and stay connected to the military community.

Or you can move into Atlanta and pursue careers in technology, logistics, healthcare, finance, media or professional services.

Or you can choose somewhere like Savannah, Augusta, Columbus or Warner Robins and build a life somewhere smaller.

That flexibility is one of Georgia’s biggest advantages.

The Military Community Is Everywhere

Georgia’s major military installations include:

• Fort Eisenhower
• Fort Stewart
• Hunter Army Airfield
• Robins Air Force Base
• Moody Air Force Base
• Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay
• Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany
• 116th Air Control Wing
• 165th Airlift Wing

That concentration creates something Veterans often don’t realize they value until they leave the military:

A community of people who get it.

You don’t necessarily have to explain why moving every few years became normal.

Or why you still instinctively organize everything in a five-paragraph order.

Or why “just swing by the house” sounds like an operational task.

Georgia’s military communities are large enough that Veterans can build civilian lives without completely losing that connection.

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Georgia’s Defense Economy Is a Big Deal

Georgia’s military presence doesn’t just support military jobs.

It supports an entire civilian ecosystem.

The state’s economic development agency identifies nine major military installations and says Georgia’s military presence supports aviation, cyber, intelligence, logistics and naval operations.

Georgia is also a major aerospace state.

The state reports more than 500 aerospace-related companies and says aerospace generated approximately $8.8 billion in GDP in 2024.

That opens doors for Veterans with backgrounds in:

• Aviation
• Aircraft maintenance
• Logistics
• Cybersecurity
• Intelligence
• Engineering
• Supply chain management
• Operations
• Project management
• Manufacturing
• Quality assurance
• Security
• Communications

In other words, your military experience may be more marketable in Georgia than you realize.

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Georgia by the Numbers

Category	Georgia
Population	11,302,748
Veteran Population	601,304
Median Household Income	$77,353
Median Home Value	$303,300
Median Gross Rent	$1,393
Homeownership Rate	65.7%
Civilian Labor Force Participation	63.1%
Veteran-Owned Employer Firms	9,722
Employer Establishments	261,320
Total Employment	4.4 million
Average Commute	28.3 minutes

Georgia had 261,320 employer establishments and approximately 4.4 million employees in 2023. Total employment increased 3.7% from 2022 to 2023, according to Census data.

The state’s economy also has substantial activity in healthcare, transportation and warehousing, retail and hospitality.

For Veterans, that means Georgia isn’t dependent on one industry.

That’s important.

If your first civilian career doesn’t work out, there’s another industry—and potentially another city—where your skills can transfer.

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Employment Outlook for Veterans

This is where Georgia really starts to separate itself from some of the other states in this series.

Georgia doesn’t just have a lot of Veterans.

It has a lot of industries that need people with the skills Veterans bring.

Defense and Aerospace

Georgia’s defense sector is substantial.

The state says seven of the nation’s top defense contractors have operations in Georgia and that its military installations help support defense, aviation, cybersecurity, intelligence and logistics industries.

That creates opportunities for Veterans who already understand:

• Mission planning
• Security
• Operations
• Maintenance
• Logistics
• Leadership
• Technical systems
• Compliance
• Risk management
• Project management

And the transition can be especially strong for Veterans whose experience aligns with aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

For example, Lockheed Martin’s Marietta facility supports more than 5,600 Georgia jobs, and the company announced plans for another 1,200 jobs in 2026.

That’s the kind of civilian opportunity Veterans should be watching.

Transportation and Logistics

Georgia’s location is another advantage.

The state sits at the intersection of major transportation networks and has one of the nation’s most important logistics hubs in metro Atlanta.

Veterans with experience in transportation, supply chains, fleet management, warehousing or operations can find plenty of potential career paths.

Technology and Cybersecurity

Atlanta has become a major technology and cybersecurity center.

For Veterans coming out of communications, intelligence, cyber, IT or information systems roles, that makes metro Atlanta particularly attractive.

You don’t necessarily need to start over.

You need to learn how to translate what you already know into civilian language – military resume vs. civilian resume.

Best Certifications for Veterans to Earn in Under 6 Months.

Military Friendly® Employers

Veterans researching Georgia employers should also explore Military Friendly® Employers.

This is a natural contextual link in this section.

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Education Opportunities

Georgia gives Veterans plenty of ways to continue their education without necessarily committing to a traditional four-year path.

That matters because your next mission might not require another bachelor’s degree.

It might require:

• A certification
• A technical credential
• A graduate degree
• An apprenticeship
• A licensing program
• A completely new skill set

Technical College System of Georgia

Georgia’s Technical College System includes 22 colleges, many of which offer Veteran assistance programs, Veteran coordinators and student Veteran organizations.

The state says the system offers more than 600 accredited college programs, many at relatively low tuition costs compared with other options in the Southeast.

For a transitioning Veteran who wants to get trained and get to work, that’s a major advantage.

Georgia’s Colleges and Universities

Veterans can also choose from major universities including:

• University of Georgia
• Georgia Tech
• Georgia State University
• Kennesaw State University
• Georgia Southern University
• Augusta University
• University of West Georgia
• Valdosta State University
• Mercer University
• Emory University

Georgia Tech is particularly notable for Veterans interested in engineering, technology and cybersecurity.

The state also has numerous community colleges and technical programs for Veterans who want a shorter path into a new career.

Military Friendly® Schools

Before choosing a school, compare Veteran services, credit for military training, GI Bill participation, Veteran advising and student support.

Don’t Leave GI Bill Money on the Table

Georgia’s Department of Veterans Service serves as the state’s State Approving Agency, overseeing institutions and training programs that can qualify for VA education benefits.

That includes universities, colleges, technical and trade schools, flight schools, apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs.

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Veteran Benefits in Georgia

Georgia’s Veteran benefits are one of the state’s biggest selling points.

And there is one benefit in particular that deserves attention from military retirees.

Military Retirement Income Tax Break

Beginning with tax year 2026, Georgia allows qualifying Veterans under age 65 to exclude up to $65,000 of military retirement income from Georgia taxable income.

That’s a significant change from Georgia’s previous military retirement exclusion.

For Veterans ages 62–64, Georgia’s existing retirement-income provisions can provide up to $35,000 in qualifying retirement income exclusion, while taxpayers 65 and older may qualify for up to $65,000.

Important: Tax rules can be complicated, and eligibility depends on your individual situation. Veterans should verify current requirements with the Georgia Department of Revenue or a qualified tax professional.

Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption

Qualifying disabled Veterans may receive a substantial homestead property-tax exemption.

For 2025, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service lists an exemption of up to $121,812 for qualifying disabled Veterans, with the amount indexed according to federal law. The Veteran must own and occupy the home as a primary residence.

This benefit can also extend to qualifying surviving spouses and minor children who continue to occupy the home.

Vehicle Tax Benefits

Qualifying Veterans may also receive an exemption from ad valorem taxes on one vehicle.

Free Veteran Driver’s License

Georgia provides a free Veteran driver’s license to eligible Veterans with an honorable or medical discharge, as well as certain National Guard members.

The license prominently identifies the holder as a Veteran.

Veteran Business Benefits

Here’s an interesting one for the Vetrepreneurs reading this:

Georgia offers qualifying Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% a Veterans Business Certificate of Exemption.

The certificate can exempt qualifying Veterans from certain local occupation taxes, administrative fees and regulatory fees for up to 10 years.

That’s worth knowing if your post-military plan is:

“I’m going to work for myself.”

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Healthcare & VA Resources

Georgia has a substantial VA healthcare network.

The state has major VA medical centers in:

• Atlanta/Decatur
• Augusta
• Dublin

The VA Atlanta Healthcare System provides care through 22 locations serving a 50-county area in northeast Georgia.

The VA Augusta Healthcare System operates five locations serving northeast Georgia and western South Carolina, including the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center and community-based outpatient clinics in Athens and Statesboro.

The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin provides another major healthcare resource for Veterans in central and southern Georgia.

For someone considering moving to Georgia, don’t just look at the house.

Look at the VA map.

A great house that’s two hours from the healthcare you need may not feel so great six months later.

Georgia’s VA network also includes numerous outpatient clinics and other Veteran service locations.

And the Georgia Department of Veterans Service maintains field offices throughout the state to help Veterans navigate state and federal benefits.

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Best Cities for Veterans

Georgia’s biggest advantage may be that you can choose the kind of Veteran life you actually want.

Want a giant metro?

You’ve got Atlanta.

Want to stay close to a major military installation?

Try Columbus, Augusta, Savannah or Warner Robins.

Want coastal living?

Look toward Savannah or St. Marys.

Want a lower-cost, smaller-city environment?

There are plenty of options.

Atlanta

Best for: Technology, business, healthcare, cybersecurity and a huge civilian job market

Atlanta is Georgia’s economic engine.

For Veterans looking to make a clean break from military life while still having access to a large Veteran community, it’s hard to ignore.

The metro area offers careers in:

• Technology
• Cybersecurity
• Finance
• Healthcare
• Logistics
• Transportation
• Professional services
• Media
• Government contracting

The downside is obvious:

Traffic.

That 28.3-minute statewide average commute doesn’t tell the whole Atlanta story.

If you’re considering Atlanta, look at the commute before signing anything.

Columbus

Best for: Veterans who want to stay close to the military community

Columbus sits next to Fort Moore, making it one of Georgia’s most naturally Veteran-friendly communities.

The military presence influences the local economy, housing market, schools and culture.

It’s particularly attractive for Army Veterans who aren’t ready to completely sever ties with the military community.

The area also offers a lower-cost alternative to Atlanta.

Augusta

Best for: Cybersecurity, healthcare and military-connected careers

Augusta is home to Fort Eisenhower, one of the country’s most important military installations for communications and cyber-related missions.

That makes the region particularly interesting for Veterans with:

• Cybersecurity experience
• Signal/communications backgrounds
• IT experience
• Intelligence experience
• Healthcare experience
• Logistics backgrounds

Augusta also has the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center and a growing technology presence.

Savannah

Best for: Coastal lifestyle + military community

Savannah gives you something Atlanta can’t:

the coast.

The city combines a strong tourism economy, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing and access to military installations in the region.

It’s also near Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, creating a strong military community.

If you want your post-military life to include historic neighborhoods, coastal access and a large military presence, Savannah is worth considering.

Warner Robins

Best for: Aviation, Air Force and defense careers

Warner Robins is closely tied to Robins Air Force Base, making it one of Georgia’s strongest choices for Air Force Veterans.

The base supports major logistics, maintenance and aviation missions.

For Veterans with aviation, maintenance, logistics, acquisition or technical backgrounds, this area deserves a close look.

And compared with Atlanta, the pace is considerably slower.

Athens

Best for: College-town lifestyle and education

Athens is home to the University of Georgia and offers a very different lifestyle from Georgia’s military hubs.

Veterans interested in higher education, healthcare, entrepreneurship or a college-town environment may find it appealing.

Cost of Living

One of Georgia’s biggest advantages is that its housing costs remain relatively moderate compared with some major coastal and metropolitan markets.

The Census Bureau reports a $303,300 median value for owner-occupied homes and $1,393 median gross rent statewide for 2020–2024.

Compare that with the cost of housing in many major U.S. metro areas, and Georgia starts looking pretty attractive.

But—and this is important—Georgia is not one uniform housing market.

Atlanta can be expensive.

Savannah has its own housing pressures.

Smaller communities may offer significantly more house for your money.

Georgia Cost-of-Living Snapshot

Category	Georgia
Median Home Value	$303,300
Median Gross Rent	$1,393
Median Household Income	$77,353
Homeownership Rate	65.7%
Average Commute	28.3 minutes

For Veterans, there’s another piece to the equation: state benefits.

A Veteran receiving military retirement should factor Georgia’s new retirement income exclusion into the relocation calculation. A qualifying disabled Veteran should also investigate the state’s homestead exemption before purchasing a home.

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Outdoor Recreation & Veteran Lifestyle

Georgia doesn’t have Florida’s beaches or Colorado’s mountains.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking that means there’s nothing to do outside.

Georgia has:

• Mountains
• Lakes
• Rivers
• Beaches
• Forests
• State parks
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Camping
• Boating
• Golf

The state reports 125 wildlife areas and more than 13 million acres of land available for hunting, giving outdoor-oriented Veterans plenty of options.

Veterans can also qualify for special hunting and fishing licenses.

Georgia offers a free one-time Veteran hunting and fishing license to qualifying Georgia resident Veterans who served on active federal duty for at least 90 days and were honorably discharged after July 1, 2005.

After that license expires, qualifying Veterans can purchase discounted lifetime licenses.

For Veterans who would rather spend their weekends outdoors than sitting in traffic, Georgia gives you plenty of opportunities to do exactly that.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✔ Large Veteran population

✔ Nine major military installations

✔ Strong military community

✔ Major defense and aerospace economy

✔ Growing cybersecurity and technology industries

✔ Strong logistics and transportation sector

✔ More than 600,000 Veterans statewide

✔ Military retirement tax benefits

✔ Significant disabled Veteran property-tax exemption

✔ Veteran business tax/fee benefits

✔ Strong technical college system

✔ Major universities

✔ Extensive VA healthcare network

✔ Multiple Veteran communities to choose from

✔ Relatively affordable housing compared with many major U.S. markets

✔ Mountains, lakes, coast and outdoor recreation

Cons

✖ Atlanta traffic can be brutal

✖ Housing costs vary dramatically by location

✖ Georgia still has state income taxes on most non-exempt income

✖ Summers are hot and humid

✖ Some smaller communities have fewer civilian career options

✖ Property-tax benefits require specific eligibility

✖ Military-connected job opportunities can be concentrated around specific regions

✖ Rural Veterans may have longer drives to major healthcare facilities

Is Georgia Right for You?

Here’s the easiest way to think about Georgia:

If you want a state where your military experience can translate directly into civilian opportunity, Georgia deserves your attention.

If you worked in aviation, logistics, cyber, intelligence, maintenance, communications, engineering or operations, you’ve got some obvious starting points.

If you’re retiring from the military, Georgia’s new military retirement tax exclusion makes the state even more interesting.

If you want to start a business, Georgia’s large economy and Veteran population create a potentially strong customer and networking base.

If you’re going back to school, the combination of universities and a large technical college system gives you plenty of options.

And if you want to remain connected to the military community?

Georgia makes that easy.

You can live near Fort Eisenhower, Fort Stewart, Robins AFB, Kings Bay or another military installation without necessarily living on base or working for the government.

But Georgia isn’t perfect.

If you hate traffic, Atlanta may drive you insane.

If you want year-round cool weather, Georgia’s summer humidity may change your mind.

And if you’re moving for a civilian career, don’t assume a military-heavy area automatically has the best civilian job for you.

Do the research before you move.

Look at the job market.

Look at housing.

Look at healthcare.

Look at schools.

Look at taxes.

And then look at the lifestyle you actually want.

That’s the point of this series.

There isn’t one “best” state for every Veteran.

There’s the state that makes the most sense for your next mission.

And Georgia has a pretty strong case.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Georgia a good state for Veterans?

Yes. Georgia combines a large Veteran population with major military installations, defense and aerospace industries, Veteran benefits, education opportunities, VA healthcare and relatively moderate housing costs.

How many Veterans live in Georgia?

The Census Bureau estimates 601,304 Veterans live in Georgia based on 2020–2024 data.

Does Georgia tax military retirement?

Georgia provides a military retirement income exclusion. Beginning with tax year 2026, qualifying Veterans under age 65 can exclude up to $65,000 of military retirement income from Georgia taxable income.

What are the best cities in Georgia for Veterans?

Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta, Savannah and Warner Robins are among the strongest options, depending on your career, budget and preferred lifestyle.

What military bases are in Georgia?

Major installations include Fort Eisenhower, Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield, Robins Air Force Base, Moody Air Force Base, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.

Does Georgia offer property tax benefits to disabled Veterans?

Yes. Qualifying disabled Veterans can receive a substantial homestead property-tax exemption. For 2025, the exemption was up to $121,812 for qualifying Veterans, subject to eligibility requirements and local administration.

Does Georgia have good VA healthcare?

Georgia has major VA healthcare systems in Atlanta, Augusta and Dublin, along with numerous outpatient locations. The Atlanta VA Healthcare System alone provides care through 22 locations serving a 50-county area.

Is Georgia affordable for Veterans?

Georgia’s statewide median owner-occupied home value was $303,300 and median gross rent was $1,393 for 2020–2024. However, costs vary significantly between Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Columbus and smaller communities.

Does Georgia offer education benefits for Veterans?

Yes. Georgia Veterans can use federal GI Bill benefits at approved institutions and training programs, while the state also provides additional education programs and resources. Georgia’s Technical College System includes 22 colleges with Veteran support programs.

Does Georgia offer benefits for Veteran-owned businesses?

Yes. Qualifying Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% can receive a Veterans Business Certificate of Exemption that may exempt them from certain local occupation taxes, administrative fees and regulatory fees for up to 10 years.

Are there hunting and fishing benefits for Georgia Veterans?

Yes. Qualifying Georgia resident Veterans can receive a free one-time Veteran hunting and fishing license, and eligible Veterans can purchase discounted lifetime licenses.