Your Guide to Finding the Best Place to Call Home After Military Service
Leaving the military means more than landing your first civilian job.
It means deciding where to build your future.
Should you stay where you’re stationed? Move closer to family? Chase better career opportunities? Find a state with lower taxes? Use your GI Bill somewhere new? Buy your first home?
Those decisions shape the next chapter of your life.
Whether you’re looking for higher pay, lower living costs, outstanding education benefits, or a community that understands military life, there’s a state that’s right for you.
That’s why we’ve created GIJobs 50 States of Opportunity for Veterans—a comprehensive guide to help you compare every state through the lens of military transition.
Because finding your next mission starts with finding the right place to call home.
What Makes a State Great for Veterans?
Every veteran has different priorities.
For some, it’s landing a high-paying job.
For others, it’s buying a home, raising a family, starting a business, finishing college, or enjoying retirement.
Throughout this series, we’ll examine every state using the factors that matter most to transitioning service members.
💼 Career Opportunities
Does the state have employers that actively recruit veterans?
Are industries like aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare, cybersecurity, logistics, energy, or government contracting thriving?
🎓 Education
How well does the state support veterans using their GI Bill?
Are there state-funded scholarships, tuition waivers, or benefits for military spouses and dependents?
🏡 Affordability
How far will your paycheck go?
We’ll look at:
- Cost of living
- Housing affordability
- Property taxes
- Military retirement tax policies
- Overall financial value
👨👩👧 Military Family Support
Transition isn’t just about veterans.
We’ll also examine resources for:
- Military spouses
- Children
- Veteran communities
- Healthcare
- Family support programs
🚀 Veteran Entrepreneurship
Thinking about starting a business?
We’ll highlight states that make it easier through:
- Small Business Development Centers
- Veteran-owned business programs
- Government contracting opportunities
- Startup resources
🌲 Quality of Life
Life after service should be enjoyable.
We’ll consider:
- Outdoor recreation
- Climate
- Traffic
- Community
- Access to healthcare
- Overall lifestyle
Every State Receives a Military Friendly® Transition Scorecard
To make comparing states easier, every article in this series includes a simple scorecard.
| Category | What We Measure |
|---|---|
| 💼 Career Opportunities | Hiring, industries, job growth |
| 🎓 Education | Veteran and family education benefits |
| 🏡 Cost of Living | Affordability and tax advantages |
| 👨👩👧 Family Support | Resources for military families |
| 🚀 Entrepreneurship | Veteran business opportunities |
| 🌲 Outdoor Lifestyle | Recreation and quality of life |
| ⭐ Overall Transition Score | Overall recommendation for transitioning veterans |
While no state is perfect for everyone, these scorecards provide a quick snapshot to help narrow your search.
Compare States with the Military Friendly® States Tool
Our articles provide the big picture.
The Military Friendly® States Tool helps you dive deeper.
Use it to explore:
- Veteran benefits
- Employment opportunities
- Education resources
- State-specific programs
- Military family resources
- Quality-of-life information
Whether you’re comparing two neighboring states or planning a cross-country move, it’s one of the best resources available for veterans making relocation decisions.
Explore the Military Friendly® States Tool
Start exploring our first featured state: Alabama →
Explore All 50 States
Over the coming months, we’ll be highlighting every state as part of this series. Check out the current available states below! *more coming soon*
State Links
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Where Will Your Next Mission Take You?
Every state has something unique to offer veterans.
Some excel at career opportunities.
Others stand out for education, affordability, retirement benefits, entrepreneurship, or quality of life.
The best state isn’t the one with the highest score.
It’s the one that fits your goals.
Whether you’re transitioning next month or planning years ahead, we hope this series helps you make one of the biggest decisions of your civilian life with confidence.
America has spent 250 years creating opportunities. Now it’s time to find the one that’s right for you.
🇺🇸 Not sure where to start?
Compare veteran benefits, careers, education, tax advantages, and quality of life across all 50 states with the Military Friendly® States Tool.
Explore the Tool → HERE