Veterans United Ranks 7 Best U.S. Cities for Veterans in 2026
Veterans United has published its 2026 assessment of the best cities in the U.S. for veterans, analyzing 23 criteria among the 50 largest urban areas. Notably, Florida and Texas accounted for half of the top ten, with seven cities making their debut on the list. The leading seven cities are Virginia Beach, VA; San Antonio, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Nashville, TN; Tampa, FL; Oklahoma City, OK; and Austin, TX. Virginia Beach secured the top position with a veteran community score of 421.32 and a median home price of $412,500, while San Antonio followed closely with a score of 808.33 and a median price of $323,950. The ranking prioritizes affordability, community, and lifestyle, showcasing the benefits available in Texas and Florida.
Key facts
- Veterans United analyzed 23 factors across the 50 largest U.S. cities.
- Veteran community strength was weighted more heavily than other factors.
- Virginia Beach, Virginia, ranked first with a veteran community score of 421.32.
- San Antonio, Texas, ranked second with a composite score of 808.33, just 0.13 points behind Virginia Beach.
- Jacksonville, Florida, ranked third with the strongest cost of living score (120.42).
- Nashville, Tennessee, ranked fourth with the highest median home price ($529,000).
- Tampa, Florida, ranked fifth with the highest quality of life score (140.00).
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, ranked sixth with the strongest cost of living score (125.48) and lowest quality of life score (89.87).
- Austin, Texas, ranked seventh with the lowest veteran community score (279.91).
- Seven of the top ten cities are new to the list this year.
- Florida and Texas claimed half of the top 10 spots.
- State-level benefits like no state income tax and property tax exemptions for disabled veterans were noted in Texas and Florida.
Entities
Institutions
- Veterans United
- Realtor.com
Locations
- Virginia Beach
- Virginia
- San Antonio
- Texas
- Jacksonville
- Florida
- Nashville
- Tennessee
- Tampa
- Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma
- Austin
- United States
Sources
- Quartz —