Gov1 looked at key upward mobility factors for all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., to find out which 10 states are helping veterans the most.
About Our Stability Scores:
- Each state must have a home buying program for veterans or active duty military.
- States with the lowest unemployment rate (based on Bureau of Labor Statistics) received the highest scores.
- States with the lowest median price of a home (according to Zillow) received the highest scores.
- States with the lowest percentage of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population (according to HUD and census data) received the highest scores.
- States with the most approved “veteran-friendly” transition programs (according to the Department of Veterans Affairs) received the highest scores.
Our Top 10 states help veterans start new careers and finance home purchases.
- Iowa
- Unemployment rate: 40%
- Median price of a home: $130,700
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 007%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 614
Iowa’s veterans can obtain home buying grants ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 for closing costs or down payment assistance – a grant is a chunk of change that does not have to be paid back. Getting a job may be a gentler process in Hawkeye State as well. Iowa has the sixth-lowest unemployment rate in the nation.
- Missouri
- Unemployment rate:40%
- Median price of a home: $133,600
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 009%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 1,416
Missouri’s First Place loan program offers veterans a reduced rate on mortgages. Missouri’s low housing prices provide additional support for homeownership goals. Every little bit of help matters when it comes to financing a stable home. Not only is the number of veteran-friendly transition programs high in Missouri, the state also maintains the Show Me Heroes website, which is catered to veteran services like employment assistance, and on the job training resources.
- Ohio
- Unemployment rate:70%
- Median price of a home:$118,800
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 010%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs:1,159
The Ohio Heroes home buying program is aimed at many folks: veterans, active duty military, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and more. Ohio also has the lowest median home price on this list. When you compare those two factors, homeownership feels doable. Corporate giants like General Electric are a part of the VA network in Ohio, which indicates the strength of job opportunities in the state.
- Virginia
- Unemployment rate:20%
- Median price of a home:$232,000
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 007%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 1,171
Virginia offers discounted mortgage rates for veterans and a grant program for wounded warriors. The grant program could be a direct link to the low percentage of homeless veterans in Virginia. This state also happens to be veteran hiring grounds for some notable companies like USAA, Hewlett Packard, and Capital One.
- Maine
- Unemployment rate:4%
- Median price of a home:$135,000
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 011%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 399
Maine gives veterans a .25 percent discount on mortgage loans. What does that mean? If the home you’ve purchased costs $135,000 and your 30-year loan is fixed at 3.25 percent interest, the .25 percent discount brings your interest down to 3.00 percent. With the discount, you will save $6,610.71 in interest, over 30 years. Maine’s unemployment rate is .9 percent below the national average which makes the job hunt less daunting, too.
- Nebraska
- Unemployment rate:90%
- Median price of a home:$139,900
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 013%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 193
This state’s low unemployment rate is a sign of opportunity for those looking to land a job. The number of veteran-friendly transition programs is low compared to other states, but the quality of programs isn’t reduced (unless you count the football programs at veteran-friendly colleges — Cornhuskers, we’re looking at you).
- Georgia
- Unemployment rate:50%
- Median price of a home:$142,700
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 015
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 1,860
The high unemployment rate in the Empire State of the South is something to care about, but the number of military-friendly programs for college or on the job training balances things out. These programs can improve job opportunity for veterans.
- Pennsylvania
- Unemployment Rate: 4.80%
- Median price of a home:$152,000
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 015%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 1,458
Pennsylvania received a low score for unemployment, but the amount of veteran-friendly transition programs confirms Pennsylvania‘s spot on this list. If continued education is your trajectory after military life, the Keystone State is home to top-notch schools like Carnegie Mellon that are ready to accept your GI Bill benefits.
- Connecticut
- Unemployment rate: 20%
- Median price of a home:$237,000
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population:008%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 1,021
Connecticut offers home buying programs for both military and law enforcement. Veterans aiming to use their GI Bill benefits can try programs like on-the-job training with a county fire department or continue education at one of the approved Connecticut facilities for veterans to use GI Bill benefits.
- Louisiana
- Unemployment rate:10%
- Median price of a home: $140,000
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 008%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 461
Louisiana’s initiative to end veteran homelessness includes a grant program for moving homeless individuals into permanent housing. Louisiana also offers home buyer assistance programs such as reduced-rate mortgages and down payment and closing cost assistance for veterans. Don’t be discouraged by the high unemployment rate and lower number of transition programs, there are still an abundance of high quality military friendly companies in the state. According to MilitaryFriendly.com, Louisianans can turn to very large companies like Shell and Monsanto for employment opportunities.
And tied for 10th place: Tennessee
- Unemployment rate:60%
- Median price of a home:$130,100
- Amount of homeless veterans compared to the state’s population: 014%
- Number of “veteran-friendly” transition programs: 458
Bonus! Louisiana and Tennessee tied for tenth place, so we’d be remiss not to mention both. Tennessee’s Homeownership for the Brave program provides veterans a hefty .50 percent discount on mortgage rates. Job training programs, like The Chattanooga Police Academy, are also widely available.
Veterans can learn about various programs--from benefits & compensation to transportation & travel--offered throughout the country by searching the Department of Veterans Affairs National Resource Directory.
See how your state stacks up:
Megan Wells is a data journalist and digital content editor based in San Francisco, Calif. Wells currently focuses on personal finance, mortgage, and lifestyle content. Wells’ work has appeared in publications like Fox, Nasdaq, MSN, and Motley Fool. Wells also spoke at the 2015 Exceptional Women in Publishing conference.