Austin, Madison, Scottsdale Top List for Veteran Relocation

Austin, Texas, leads a new ranking of the best U.S. cities for veterans, according to data released this week by WalletHub. The analysis evaluated the 100 most populated cities in the country using 19 metrics across four categories: employment, economy, quality of life, and health. The data, collected as of October 5, 2026, included inputs from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Austin secured the top position due to its educational infrastructure and job growth. The Texas capital ranked first for colleges serving veterans and seventh for job growth. Veterans in the city report a median annual income exceeding $66,000, placing it ninth among all evaluated locations. Madison, Wisconsin, finished second. Veterans there experience average annual median income growth of approximately 8%, the sixth highest rate in the nation. The city also recorded one of the lowest rates of veteran homelessness, with two homeless individuals for every 1,000 veterans.

Scottsdale, Arizona, placed third on the list. The city boasts a median annual income of about $68,000 for veterans, the sixth highest figure in the study. Scottsdale also ranked seventh for low unemployment and third for having the fewest homeless veterans. The final two spots in the top five went to Plano, Texas, and Fort Worth, Texas.

Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, stated that veterans need locations offering good education, employment, and quality physical and mental health care. He noted that top cities also feature large veteran populations for community support and many venues offering veteran discounts.

The rankings come as veterans face distinct financial pressures. WalletHub data shows a veteran unemployment rate of 3.6%, lower than the overall population rate of 4.2%. However, more than 32,000 veterans are currently experiencing homelessness. A separate report found that over 26,000 veterans are paying higher monthly mortgage costs after the Trump administration eliminated the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program.

The VASP program previously helped veterans facing financial hardship by moving missed payments onto a new mortgage with a 2.5% interest rate. This rate was far lower than current average interest rates, which hover around 7%. Many affected veterans now face monthly increases of $1,000 or more.

The 17.2 million veterans in the United States continue to navigate the transition from military to civilian life. The WalletHub report provides a benchmark for cities that offer specific economic and social advantages to this demographic.