Copyright Newsweek
Newsweek has mapped out the 100 best and worst cities for veterans to live in, with Austin, Texas, ranked first and Newark, New Jersey, ranked last, according to new analysis. Finance website WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities in America, looking at 19 key indicators of livability, affordability and veteran-friendliness in a new report published on Monday. These indicators include military skill-related jobs, veteran income growth and the availability of veteran health facilities. Why It Matters Roughly 200,000 military members transition to civilian life each year, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. For many, relocation is an essential part of reintegration. Cities offering accessible health care, job opportunities and social support can make a significant difference in their post-service lives. What To Know WalletHub found that the top 10 cities for veterans to live in are: Austin, Texas Tampa, Florida Madison, Wisconsin Raleigh, North Carolina Colorado Springs, Colorado Virginia Beach, Virginia Orlando, Florida St. Petersburg, Florida Irvine, California Fort Worth, Texas Austin has the best colleges for veterans in the country as well as the 10th-highest median annual income for veterans ($62,000), a good job growth rate and opportunities for veterans to “form a community of support with others who have gone through similar experiences.” Austin also has the 12th-highest number of restaurants and the 10th-most arts/entertainment establishments per capita that offer military discounts. Tampa is ranked second for similar reasons, as well as its high number of veteran benefits and health facilities—its veteran medical facilities are rated as the second-best in the country. WalletHub’s bottom 10 cities for veterans to live in are: Newark, New Jersey Detroit, Michigan Baton Rouge, Louisiana Memphis, Tennessee Toledo, Ohio Indianapolis, Indiana Baltimore, Maryland Stockton, California Fresno, California Chicago, Illinois These cities ranked lowest on WalletHub’s analysis for employment, economy, quality of life and health. Newsweek has contacted city authorities for Newark, Detroit and Baton Rouge, via email, for comment. What People Are Saying WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report: “When veterans return home from serving our nation, it’s important for them to live in a place that provides good education and employment opportunities, along with access to quality care for their physical and mental health. The best cities for veterans have all these characteristics, plus added bonuses like large veteran populations for community support, plus many restaurants and entertainment venues that offer veteran discounts.” Daryl Griffin, the student life manager of veteran services at LaGuardia Community College, said: “I think a big issue is connecting with a community; many veterans join the military and leave behind family, friends, a strong community of support. When service members separate from the military that same structure that they left behind may not be there or they relocate to a different area.” What Happens Next Veterans Day is coming up on November 11. As more service members reenter civilian life, cities may look to emulate the models of top performers.
