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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.
Kansas at a Glance
Kansas isn’t flashy about what it offers Veterans. That’s actually part of the appeal. The state combines a sizable Veteran population, a deeply established military presence, relatively low housing costs and an economy that lines up surprisingly well with military experience.
Veteran Population: 151,597 Veterans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 estimates.
Veteran Unemployment: 3.2% in 2025, compared with 3.5% nationally.
Median Home Value: $217,200 statewide, 2020–2024.
Median Gross Rent: $1,060 per month, 2020–2024.
Median Household Income: $74,275, 2020–2024, in 2024 dollars.
Cost of Living: Kansas recorded an 87.6 composite cost-of-living index in the first quarter of 2026, compared with a national benchmark of 100.
Employment: Kansas had a 3.8% overall unemployment rate in July 2026, with manufacturing, construction and other industries supporting a broad employment base.
Military Footprint: Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and McConnell Air Force Base give Kansas an unusually strong military infrastructure for a state its size.
Best For: Veterans looking for affordable Midwestern living, manufacturing or aerospace careers, military-connected communities and room to build a career without coastal housing prices.
The Short Version
Yes—Kansas deserves serious consideration if you’re a Veteran looking for a combination of affordable housing, military community and practical career opportunities. Its biggest advantages are its low cost of living, strong aerospace/manufacturing/logistics economy and access to established military and VA infrastructure. The tradeoff? Kansas is not the place to move if you need ocean beaches, mountains or a major-city lifestyle outside a handful of metro areas.
Table of Contents
- Veteran Snapshot
- Why Veterans Choose Kansas
- Kansas by the Numbers
- Employment Outlook for Veterans
- Education Opportunities
- Veteran Benefits in Kansas
- Healthcare & VA Resources
- Best Cities for Veterans
- Cost of Living
- Outdoor Recreation & Veteran Lifestyle
- Pros & Cons
- Is Kansas Right for You?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Veteran Snapshot
Kansas has a legitimate military identity—not simply a handful of Veteran organizations scattered around the state.
The Census Bureau estimates 151,597 Veterans live in Kansas.
That community is reinforced by three major military installations: Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and McConnell Air Force Base.
Fort Riley is particularly significant. Home to the 1st Infantry Division, the installation hosts approximately 15,000 active-duty service members, more than 18,000 family members and a surrounding community that includes nearly 30,000 Veterans and retirees.
Then there’s Fort Leavenworth, which has been operating since 1827 and is home to the Army’s Combined Arms Command. The post has a particularly strong connection to military education, leadership development and professional military education.
McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita adds another major piece of the puzzle. The base is home to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and operates KC-135 and KC-46 aircraft, supporting global aerial refueling and airlift missions.
For a Veteran, that matters because military communities don’t simply disappear when you separate. They create networks, employers, organizations, schools and social connections that can make the transition into civilian life considerably easier.
Why Veterans Choose Kansas
Kansas is the kind of state that starts making more sense when you look at the whole package instead of chasing a single statistic.
Want a house without spending half your paycheck on it? Kansas has an argument.
Want to work in aerospace, manufacturing, logistics or defense? Kansas has an even stronger argument.
Want to remain close to a military community after leaving active duty? Kansas has three major installations anchoring different parts of the state.
The state’s economy is unusually relevant to military skill sets. The Kansas Department of Commerce identifies advanced manufacturing, logistics and distribution, aerospace and defense, food processing, animal health, biosciences, agriculture and energy among its key industries.
That creates a particularly good environment for Veterans whose military backgrounds involved:
- Logistics
- Maintenance
- Aviation
- Mechanical systems
- Transportation
- Supply chain management
- Operations
- Leadership
- IT
- Healthcare
- Security
- Project management
Kansas also gives Veterans something less glamorous but extremely important: financial breathing room.
The statewide median home value was $217,200 and median gross rent was $1,060 in the 2020–2024 Census estimates.
That doesn’t mean every Kansas ZIP code is cheap. Johnson County and parts of the Kansas City metro can look very different from Wichita, Salina or smaller communities. But statewide, the numbers remain favorable.
And if you served in Kansas, the state has another advantage: you may already have a network here. That’s especially true around Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and McConnell.
Kansas May Be a Great Fit If You…
✓ Want a lower-cost state where homeownership is still realistic
✓ Have experience in aerospace, manufacturing, logistics, maintenance or defense
✓ Want to stay connected to a strong military community
✓ Prefer four seasons and outdoor recreation over beaches and tropical weather
✓ Want access to larger metro areas without actually living in a huge city
✓ Are planning to use education benefits or retrain for a civilian career
✓ Want a state where military retirement income isn’t subject to Kansas income tax
You May Want to Think Twice If You…
✕ Need mountains or ocean beaches within easy driving distance
✕ Want extensive public transportation
✕ Need a huge concentration of highly specialized jobs in one metro area
✕ Hate driving and want a dense, walkable urban lifestyle
Kansas by the Numbers
| Metric | Kansas |
|---|---|
| Veteran population | 151,597 |
| 2025 Veteran unemployment rate | 3.2% |
| July 2026 overall unemployment | 3.8% |
| Median home value | $217,200 |
| Median gross rent | $1,060 |
| Median household income | $74,275 |
| Veteran-owned employer firms | 2,413 |
| Population estimate, July 2025 | 2,977,220 |
| Cost-of-living index, Q1 2026 | 87.6 |
The Census Bureau reports 151,597 Veterans, a $217,200 median owner-occupied home value, $1,060 median gross rent, $74,275 median household income and 2,413 Veteran-owned employer firms in its latest available datasets.
The Veteran unemployment rate was 3.2% in 2025, based on BLS annual state data. That was slightly below the 3.5% national Veteran unemployment rate.
The overall Kansas unemployment rate was 3.8% in July 2026, compared with 4.1% nationally.
For cost of living, Kansas posted an 87.6 composite index in Q1 2026, with 100 representing the national benchmark. Housing was particularly favorable, with a 77.5 housing index.
Employment Outlook for Veterans
If your military experience involved making things, moving things, fixing things, managing people or operating complicated systems, Kansas deserves a look.
The state has a broad industrial base rather than one economy dominated by a single sector.
Aerospace & Defense
Wichita is the obvious standout.
Kansas has a long aerospace manufacturing history, and the state’s current industry base includes companies such as Spirit AeroSystems, Bombardier, GE Aviation and Honeywell. The Kansas Department of Commerce identifies aerospace and defense as a key target sector.
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing alone employed roughly 30,400 people in the Wichita metro area in July 2026.
That makes Kansas particularly interesting for Veterans with aviation, aircraft maintenance, mechanical, quality-control, manufacturing, logistics and technical backgrounds.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is another major opportunity.
Kansas reports more than 4,400 manufacturers employing approximately 173,400 people across the state, including aviation, food and beverage, machinery, electronics and other manufacturing operations.
Military maintenance and technical experience can translate well into these environments—particularly when paired with a civilian credential or certification.
Logistics & Distribution
Kansas’ central location isn’t just something you see on a highway sign.
It’s an economic advantage.
The state specifically targets logistics and distribution, and its central location gives companies access to major transportation networks and markets.
That makes Kansas a natural fit for Veterans with transportation, supply, warehousing, distribution, operations and fleet-management experience.
Healthcare
Healthcare is another major employment sector, particularly in Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City and the state’s larger communities.
And, of course, the VA itself is an employer. The VA Wichita Healthcare System specifically highlights opportunities within its expanding programs and facilities.
Entrepreneurship
Kansas also has a meaningful small-business ecosystem. The Census Bureau counted 2,413 Veteran-owned employer firms in its 2023 business data.
For Veterans who would rather build the company than join one, Kansas’ relatively low operating and housing costs can make the math more attractive.
If you’re looking for a job after separating, don’t limit yourself to companies with a giant “Veteran Hiring” banner. Start with the state’s actual economic strengths and then identify Military Friendly® employers operating in those industries.
If Your MOS Was…
Your military experience doesn’t disappear when you leave the military—it translates.
| Military Background | Civilian Opportunities in Kansas |
|---|---|
| Logistics & Supply Chain | Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Coordinator, Warehouse Operations Manager, Transportation Manager, Inventory Analyst |
| Maintenance & Mechanical | Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Industrial Maintenance Technician, Manufacturing Technician, Equipment Manager, Facilities Supervisor |
| Medical & Healthcare | Registered Nurse, Medical Assistant, EMT, Health Services Manager, Medical Technician |
| IT & Cybersecurity | IT Support Specialist, Systems Administrator, Network Technician, Cybersecurity Analyst, Cloud Support Specialist |
| Intelligence & Analysis | Intelligence Analyst, Data Analyst, Risk Analyst, Business Analyst, Compliance Analyst |
| Leadership & Management | Project Manager, Operations Manager, Program Manager, Production Supervisor, Team Lead |
The Kansas economy makes the aerospace and manufacturing rows especially interesting. If you worked around aircraft, engines, maintenance, production, quality assurance or technical systems, Wichita is one of the places where your military background can have obvious civilian relevance.
Before you start sending applications, make sure your military resume vs. civilian resume actually translates what you did into language a civilian hiring manager understands.
Ready to Translate Your Military Experience?
Your military experience already gave you skills employers want. The challenge is putting those skills into civilian language.
Read: Military Resume vs. Civilian Resume
Education Opportunities
Kansas gives Veterans plenty of ways to use education benefits without limiting the conversation to four-year universities.
The state has six public universities, a municipal university, 19 community colleges and seven technical colleges.
That creates several possible paths:
- Four-year degrees
- Graduate programs
- Community college
- Technical education
- Career certifications
- Apprenticeships
- Online programs
- Healthcare training
- Manufacturing credentials
The University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University and Washburn University are among the state’s major public institutions.
KU, for example, has a dedicated Military-Affiliated Student Center that helps Veterans navigate education benefits, scholarships, career planning and the transition into civilian life. KU also awards some college credit for military training and offers application-fee waivers to eligible Veterans.
Kansas law also provides particularly useful tuition protections for military-connected students. Eligible Veterans, spouses and dependents can qualify for resident tuition rates under certain circumstances, including Veterans who were stationed in Kansas for at least 11 months or established Kansas residency before military service.
The state also offers the Kansas Military Service Scholarship to qualifying Kansas residents who served after September 11, 2001, in qualifying overseas or international-water operations.
If you’re comparing programs, start with Military Friendly® schools and then compare the actual program, transfer-credit policy and Veteran support—not just the school’s name.
And before spending your GI Bill benefits, make sure you understand how the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program fit together.
Thinking About Going Back to School?
Don’t choose a program simply because it accepts the GI Bill. Compare the credential, career outcomes, military-credit policies and your actual remaining benefit.
Read: Your GI Bill Guide
Veteran Benefits in Kansas
Kansas has a few Veteran benefits worth knowing about before you move.
And some are easy to overlook.
Military Retirement Is Not Taxed
Kansas does not tax U.S. military retirement benefits. The Kansas Office of Veterans Services also lists VA disability payments and certain other military-related income as exempt from Kansas income tax.
For a military retiree, that’s a meaningful advantage when comparing states.
Property Tax Relief for Some Disabled Veterans
Kansas offers property-tax refund programs for qualifying disabled Veterans.
For the 2025 tax year, the K-40SVR program applies to qualifying Kansas resident disabled Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 50%, subject to income and property-value requirements. The 2025 household-income limit was $58,041 and the qualifying home’s base-year appraised value could not exceed $350,000.
New Disabled Veteran Sales Tax Exemption
Kansas also enacted a disabled Veteran sales-tax exemption beginning July 1, 2026. Qualifying Veterans receive a Disabled Veteran Sales Tax Exemption Certificate Card, with eligibility requirements and limitations applying.
That is a particularly timely benefit for anyone considering Kansas in 2026.
Education Benefits
Kansas offers the Military Service Scholarship, tuition assistance programs and resident tuition provisions for qualifying Veterans and military families.
Hunting & Fishing
This one is genuinely useful if your ideal retirement plan involves a fishing rod.
Kansas provides free permanent hunting and fishing licenses to qualifying resident disabled Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 30%.
Kansas also provides certain free hunting, fishing and park vehicle permits to active members of the Kansas National Guard, subject to program funding.
Because state programs can change, verify current eligibility before making a financial decision. The Military Friendly® States Tool is a useful starting point for comparing Kansas with other states.
Healthcare & VA Resources
Kansas is relatively well positioned for VA access, particularly around Wichita, Topeka, Leavenworth and the Kansas City metro.
The major VA facilities include:
- Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center — Wichita
- Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center — Topeka
- Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center — Leavenworth
VA Wichita provides care through seven Kansas locations, including the Dole VA Medical Center and community-based outpatient clinics in Dodge City, Hays, Hutchinson, Parsons and Salina, plus a mobile care unit.
The Eastern Kansas system includes the Topeka and Leavenworth VA medical centers.
Veterans living in northeastern Kansas also have access to the Kansas City VA system, whose network includes outpatient locations in Paola, Overland Park and Shawnee, Kansas, although the main Kansas City VA Medical Center itself is located across the state line in Missouri.
That’s an important distinction if VA access is high on your relocation checklist.
Living near Wichita? Dole VA is the obvious anchor.
Living around Topeka or northeast Kansas? Eastern Kansas VA facilities may be more convenient.
Living in the Kansas City metro? Look at both Kansas and Missouri facilities rather than assuming the state line determines your options.
Best Cities for Veterans
Kansas is one of those states where where you live matters almost as much as whether you choose the state at all.
Where Should a Veteran Live in Kansas?
| If You Want… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| Biggest job market | Wichita |
| Kansas City access | Overland Park / Olathe / Kansas City |
| Lower housing costs | Wichita / Topeka / smaller communities |
| Family-friendly lifestyle | Overland Park / Olathe |
| College-town environment | Lawrence / Manhattan |
| Military community | Junction City / Manhattan / Leavenworth |
| Outdoor recreation | Manhattan / Flint Hills communities |
| Strong VA access | Wichita / Topeka / Leavenworth / Kansas City metro |
Wichita
If career opportunity is your No. 1 priority, Wichita is probably the first Kansas city you should investigate.
It’s the state’s largest city and an aerospace powerhouse. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing alone employed about 30,400 people in the Wichita metro area in July 2026.
Wichita also has the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center.
Best for: Aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and Veterans who want a larger city without coastal-city prices.
Overland Park & the Kansas City Metro
Johnson County gives Veterans access to the broader Kansas City economy, corporate employers, healthcare, professional services, restaurants and entertainment.
The tradeoff is simple: you pay more for the location.
It’s one of the better options for a Veteran family that wants suburban amenities and access to a major metro, but housing costs can be substantially higher than in smaller Kansas communities.
Topeka
Topeka offers a middle ground.
It’s the state capital, has a strong government presence and sits between Kansas City and the central part of the state. It also has the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center.
Best for: Government work, healthcare, affordability and Veterans who want a smaller city with solid infrastructure.
Manhattan
Manhattan sits near Fort Riley and Kansas State University, creating a combination of military, education and college-town culture.
Fort Riley identifies Manhattan as one of the closest communities to the installation.
Best for: Military-connected families, education, outdoor recreation and people who like a college-town atmosphere.
Lawrence
Lawrence is a strong choice if education, culture and a more energetic college-town environment are priorities.
The University of Kansas also has a particularly robust military-affiliated student infrastructure, including a dedicated center and VA VetSuccess on Campus counselor.
Best for: Veterans going back to school, college-town living and people who want something a little more eclectic.
Leavenworth
Leavenworth has something few cities can replicate: a historic military identity built into the community itself.
Fort Leavenworth is the oldest continuously operating military installation west of the Mississippi River and home to the Army’s Combined Arms Command.
Best for: Veterans who want to remain deeply connected to the military community, Army professionals and those working in federal or defense-related fields.
Cost of Living
Kansas’ affordability is one of its biggest selling points—but don’t confuse a low statewide average with every Kansas city being inexpensive.
The state’s Q1 2026 cost-of-living index was 87.6, meaning the composite cost of living was well below the national benchmark of 100. Kansas ranked fourth-lowest among states in that quarter. Its housing index was 77.5.
The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 data tells a similar story:
- Median home value: $217,200
- Median gross rent: $1,060
- Median household income: $74,275
But location changes the math.
Wichita
Generally offers more house for the money than the Kansas City suburbs and gives you access to one of the state’s strongest job markets.
Kansas City Suburbs
The closer you get to Johnson County and the more desirable suburban communities, the more you’ll pay for housing.
Topeka
Often makes sense for Veterans prioritizing affordability, government employment and access to both Kansas City and central Kansas.
Smaller Communities
You can find dramatically lower housing costs outside the state’s largest metros, but the tradeoff can be fewer specialized jobs, fewer entertainment options and longer drives to major healthcare facilities.
That’s the Kansas relocation equation in a nutshell:
Lower cost + more space usually means fewer big-city amenities.
Outdoor Recreation & Veteran Lifestyle
Kansas doesn’t have mountains. It doesn’t have an ocean. And nobody is going to accidentally mistake the Flint Hills for the Rockies.
But Kansas has its own version of the outdoors—and Veterans who enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and wide-open spaces can have a lot to work with.
The Flint Hills are the state’s signature landscape, stretching across central Kansas and surrounding the Fort Riley area.
Kansas also has lakes and reservoirs, state parks, hunting opportunities and extensive public recreation areas.
And there’s a particularly good Veteran perk here: qualifying disabled Veterans with at least a 30% service-connected disability can receive a free permanent Kansas hunting and fishing license.
So if your ideal weekend is less “brunch reservation” and more “load the truck and disappear into the outdoors,” Kansas starts looking pretty good.
Veteran Reality Check
Kansas has a lot going for it, but here’s what you should know before putting a moving truck on the road.
1. The job market is geographically uneven.
Aerospace opportunities are heavily concentrated around Wichita. Military-connected employment is much stronger around Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and McConnell. Don’t assume a job you see in Wichita exists in rural western Kansas.
2. VA access depends on where you live.
Wichita, Topeka and Leavenworth have major VA facilities, while rural Veterans may rely more heavily on community-based outpatient clinics or longer drives. VA Wichita operates multiple CBOCs and a mobile care unit, but geography still matters.
3. Kansas is affordable—but taxes and housing vary by location.
A statewide cost-of-living number is useful for comparison, but it won’t tell you what it costs to buy a house in a particular Kansas City suburb versus Wichita or a smaller community.
4. Weather is a real consideration.
Kansas gives you four seasons, including hot summers, cold winters and severe-weather risks. If you’re coming from a place where “weather” means rain or sunshine, this may require some adjustment.
3 Things Veterans Should Know Before Moving to Kansas
1. Your military background may be more marketable here than you think.
Kansas’ aerospace, manufacturing, logistics and defense industries create a strong overlap with military technical and operational skills.
Don’t automatically assume you need to start over.
2. Check Kansas’ Veteran tax benefits before comparing salaries.
Military retirement isn’t taxed by Kansas, and qualifying disabled Veterans may also benefit from property-tax relief and the state’s new disabled Veteran sales-tax exemption.
That can change the real value of a compensation package.
3. Pick the city before you pick the state.
“Kansas” is too broad to be a relocation plan.
Decide whether your priority is aerospace in Wichita, military community around Fort Riley or Leavenworth, suburban life around Kansas City, government work in Topeka or education in Lawrence or Manhattan.
Then compare the ZIP codes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
✓ Low overall cost of living compared with the national average
✓ Strong aerospace, manufacturing and logistics economy
✓ Large, established Veteran and military communities
✓ Military retirement income is not taxed by Kansas
✓ Major VA facilities in Wichita, Topeka and Leavenworth
✓ Multiple education and technical-training pathways
Cons
✕ Limited access to mountains and ocean recreation
✕ Public transportation is limited outside major urban areas
✕ Specialized jobs can be concentrated in specific metros
✕ Severe weather and hot summers aren’t for everyone
✕ Housing affordability varies significantly by city
Is Kansas Right for You?
Kansas is probably a strong choice if…
You want to stretch your income further, are interested in aerospace, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare or government work, and like the idea of living somewhere with an established military community.
It’s particularly compelling for military retirees, working-age Veterans with technical skills and families that want more house and space without moving completely away from major employment centers.
Kansas may not be the best choice if…
Your dream civilian life requires ocean access, mountains, dense public transportation or the enormous job market of a major coastal metro.
Kansas also may not be ideal if you want to live in a small rural community but work in a highly specialized career. You may have to commute.
The G.I. Jobs Take
Kansas isn’t trying to be everything. That’s why it works.
For the right Veteran, Kansas offers a remarkably practical combination: a real military community, strong blue-collar and technical career opportunities, affordable housing, solid VA infrastructure and state benefits that can improve the financial picture.
If your next mission is building a stable life rather than chasing a particular zip code, Kansas belongs on your shortlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas a good state for Veterans?
Yes. Kansas offers a large Veteran population, major military installations, relatively low housing costs, a strong aerospace and manufacturing economy, and multiple VA healthcare systems.
What are the best cities in Kansas for Veterans?
Wichita, Overland Park, Topeka, Manhattan, Lawrence and Leavenworth are among the strongest options, depending on whether you prioritize jobs, affordability, education, military community or VA access.
Does Kansas tax military retirement pay?
No. Kansas exempts U.S. military retirement benefits from Kansas income tax.
What Veteran benefits does Kansas offer?
Kansas offers benefits that can include military-retirement tax exemptions, property-tax relief for qualifying disabled Veterans, education programs, resident tuition provisions, hunting and fishing benefits and a new disabled Veteran sales-tax exemption beginning July 1, 2026.
What jobs are in demand for Veterans in Kansas?
Aerospace, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, healthcare, construction, technology and government-related occupations are important areas to explore. Kansas specifically identifies aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing and logistics among its key industries.
Where do most Veterans live in Kansas?
Veterans are distributed throughout the state, but major military communities and population centers include the Wichita area, the Kansas City metro, Topeka, the Fort Riley/Manhattan/Junction City region and Leavenworth.
Are there Military Friendly® schools in Kansas?
Yes. Veterans can use the Military Friendly® Schools directory to identify and compare schools serving military-connected students.
How can Veterans use the GI Bill in Kansas?
Eligible Veterans can use federal GI Bill benefits at approved Kansas colleges, universities, technical schools and other training programs. Some students may also qualify for Yellow Ribbon participation or Kansas-specific education benefits.
Is Kansas affordable for Veteran families?
Kansas is among the lower-cost states nationally. Its Q1 2026 cost-of-living index was 87.6, while the Census Bureau reported a $217,200 median home value and $1,060 median gross rent for 2020–2024.
What are the biggest drawbacks of living in Kansas as a Veteran?
The biggest drawbacks are geographic: limited public transportation, fewer specialized job opportunities outside major metros, no ocean or mountain recreation and significant differences in healthcare and employment access between urban and rural communities.
How Does Kansas Compare?
Kansas is only one of 50 options.
For some Veterans, the combination of affordable housing, aerospace and manufacturing jobs, military communities and Veteran benefits will make Kansas a standout. For others, another state may offer a better fit based on climate, career field, family needs or access to specific amenities.
That’s exactly why we’re looking at all 50.
Compare Kansas with the other Best States for Veterans
Up Next:
We’ve covered Kansas. Now let’s see what Kentucky has to offer Veterans looking for their next mission.
Looking for the complete rankings?
Visit our Best States for Veterans guide.