Money > Best Places for Military Retirement
Best Places for Military Retirement
2010
Best Places for Military Retirement
Best Places for Military Retirement
USAA partnered with Military.com to develop this first-of-its-kind ranking that recognizes the best places in the nation for military men and women to reside after retiring from their first career with the armed forces and beginning their second career as a civilian. The rankings are a resource to help military retirees find locales offering a high quality of life while making the most of military retiree benefits.
Overall Top Ten Places
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USAA and Military.com worked with Sperling's BestPlaces to determine the variables on which 379 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. were evaluated against. Sperling's BestPlaces considers general quality of life issues along with variables that correspond directly to military retirees. The variables included:
- Military base proximity
- Military base amenities
- Veteran's Affairs hospital proximity
- Military pension taxation
- Unemployment rate
- Presence of colleges and universities
- Affordability
- Housing costs
- Housing appreciation (2007-2010)
- Economic stability
- Climate
- Health resources
- Health indicators
- Crime
- Local schools
- Recreation
- Arts and culture
- Major airport proximity
- Access to mass transit
- Natural disaster-prone area
Each of the identified variables was weighted based on importance to military retirees, and each metro area was given a score based on its total points for each variable. The metro areas were ranked based on these scores. Metro areas where the median housing cost was 40 percent above the national median were excluded from the list.
Military Towns
Large Metros
Medium Metros
Small Metros
| Rank | Place | Median Home Price | Unemployment Rate | Federal Pension Taxed? | Military Installation | VA Hospital Proximity | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City, OK Population 121,5611 |
$128,000 | 6.7% | Yes | Name: Tinker AFB Proximity: Local Amenities: Large commissary, large exchange, hospital |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 13 Prominent Institution: University of Oklahoma |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX Population 2,047,939 |
$152,800 | 7.7% | No | Name: Fort Sam Houston Proximity: Local Amenities: Very large commisary, large exchange, 200-bed hospital |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 9 Prominent Institution: University of Texas at San Antonio |
| 3 | Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX Population 380,636 |
$97,000 | 8.0% | No | Name: Fort Hood Proximity: Local Amenities: 2 large commissaries, 2 large exchanges, 187-bed hospital, 7 clinics |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 1 Prominent Institution: University of Mary Hardin-Baylor |
| 4 | Wichita, KS Population 603,236 |
$120,400 | 8.0% | No | Name: McConnell Air Force Base - Wichita Proximity: Local Amenities: Large commisary, small exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 4 Prominent Institution: Wichita State University |
| 5 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Population 2,783,730 |
$131,600 | 12.1% | No | Name: MacDill AFB Proximity: Local Amenities: Large commissary, exchange, large clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 10 Prominent Institution: University of South Florida |
| 6 | Dayton, OH Population 832,418 |
$110,900 | 11.3% | No | Name: Wright-Patterson AFB Proximity: Local Amenities: Small exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 11 Prominent Institution: Wright State University-Main Campus |
| 7 | Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Population 884,841 |
$223,100 | 10.3% | No | Name: Great Lakes Naval Training Center Proximity: Local Amenities: Large commissary, 2 large exchanges, 131-bed hospital |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 9 Prominent Institution: Trinity International University |
| 8 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA Population 5,495,175 |
$143,600 | 10.3% | Yes | Name: Fort McPherson Proximity: Local Amenities: Medium commissary, small exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 21 Prominent Institution: Georgia State University |
| 9 | Shreveport-Bossier City, LA Population 392,366 |
$152,300 | 7.8% | No | Name: Barksdale AFB Proximity: Local Amenities: Large commissary, medium exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 3 Prominent Institution: Louisiana State University-Shreveport |
| 10 | Elizabethtown, KY Population 112,675 |
$107,800 | 9.0% | Partly | Name: Fort Knox Proximity: Local Amenities: Very large commissary, large exchange, 141-bed hospital |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: n/a Prominent Institution: n/a |
| Rank | Place | Median Home Price | Unemployment Rate | Federal Pension Taxed? | Military Installation | VA Hospital Proximity | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City, OK Population 121,5611 |
$128,000 | 6.7% | Yes | Name: Tinker AFB Proximity: Local Amenities: Large commissary, large exchange, hospital |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 13 Prominent Institution: University of Oklahoma |
| 2 | Austin-Round Rock, TX Population 1,659,140 |
$180,600 | 7.4% | No | Name: Fort Hood Proximity: within 57 miles Amenities: 2 large commissaries, 2 large exchanges, 187-bed hospital, 7 clinics |
58 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 9 Prominent Institution: University of Texas |
| 3 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Population 533,812 |
$144,200 | 8.4% | No | Name: Carlisle Barracks Proximity: Local Amenities: Medium commissary, small exchange, clinics |
29 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 6 Prominent Institution: Shippensburg University |
| 4 | Madison, WI Population 558,913 |
$216,500 | 5.9% | No | Name: Fort McCoy Proximity: within 91 miles Amenities: Medium commissary, large exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 2 Prominent Institution: University of Wisconsin |
| 5 | Pittsburgh, PA Population 2,340,213 |
$116,400 | 8.5% | No | Name: Carlisle Barracks Proximity: within 144 miles Amenities: Medium commissary, small exchange, clinics |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 25 Prominent Institution: University of Pittsburgh |
| 6 | New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA Population 1,148,994 |
$157,800 | 8.2% | No | Name: New Orleans NAS Joint Reserve Base Proximity: Local Amenities: Medium commissary, medium exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 11 Prominent Institution: University of New Orleans |
| 7 | Syracuse, NY Population 643,298 |
$125,200 | 7.9% | No | Name: Fort Drum Proximity: within 66 miles Amenities: Large commissary, medium exchange, 3 clinics |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 8 Prominent Institution: Syracuse University |
| 8 | San Antonio, TX Population 2,047,939 |
$152,800 | 7.7% | No | Name: Fort Sam Houston Proximity: Local Amenities: Very large commisary, large exchange, 200-bed hospital |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 9 Prominent Institution: University of Texas at San Antonio |
| 9 | Wichita, KS Population 603,236 |
$120,400 | 8.0% | No | Name: McConnell Air Force Base Proximity: Local Amenities: Large commisary, small exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 4 Prominent Institution: Wichita State University |
| 10 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Population 2,783,730 |
$131,600 | 12.1% | No | Name: Coast Guard Air Station Proximity: Local Amenities: Small exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 10 Prominent Institution: University of South Florida |
| Rank | Place | Median Home Price | Unemployment Rate | Federal Pension Taxed? | Military Installation | VA Hospital Proximity | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waco, TX Population 230,140 |
$84,100 | 7.5% | No | Name: Fort Hood Proximity: within 46 miles Amenities: 2 large commissaries, 2 large exchanges, 187-bed hospital, 7 clinics |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 1 Prominent Institution: Baylor University |
| 2 | College Station-Bryan, TX Population 208,481 |
$111,400 | 6.9% | No | Name: Fort Hood Proximity: within 89 miles Amenities: 2 large commissaries, 2 large exchanges, 187-bed hospital, 7 clinics |
66 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 2 Prominent Institution: Texas A&M University |
| 3 | Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX Population 380,636 |
$97,000 | 8.0% | No | Name: Fort Hood Proximity: Local Amenities: 2 large commissaries, 2 large exchanges, 187-bed hospital, 7 clinics |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 1 Prominent Institution: University of Mary Hardin-Baylor |
| 4 | Gainesville, FL Population 265,965 |
$161,600 | 8.5% | No | Name: Jacksonville NAS Proximity: within 58 miles Amenities: Large commissary, large exchange, 84-bed hospital |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 2 Prominent Institution: University of Floria |
| 5 | Rockingham County-Strafford County, NH Population 422,157 |
$235,000 | 5.8% | No | Name: Hanscom AFB Proximity: within 46 miles Amenities: Medium commissary, small exchange, clinic |
23 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 2 Prominent Institution: University of New Hampshire |
| 6 | Topeka, KS Population 229,697 |
$111,100 | 6.3% | No | Name: Fort Leavenworth Proximity: within 57 miles Amenities: Medium commissary, large exchange, 25-bed health center |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 2 Prominent Institution: Washburn University |
| 7 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI Population 456,514 |
$102,400 | 10.6% | No | Name: Selfridge Air National Guard Base Proximity: within 88 miles Amenities: Large commissary, clinic |
43 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 5 Prominent Institution: Michigan State University |
| 8 | Spokane, WA Population 461,341 |
$169,600 | 8.5% | No | Name: Fairchild Air Force Base Proximity: Local Amenities: Large commissary, medium exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 4 Prominent Institution: Gonzaga University |
| 9 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA Population 203,439 |
$98,400 | 6.0% | No | Name: New Orleans NAS Joint Reserve Base Proximity: within 42 miles Amenities: Small exchange, clinic for active duty and reservists on drill only; also see Keesler AFB, Miss. |
44 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 1 Prominent Institution: Nicholls State University |
| 10 | Utica-Rome, NY Population 294,180 |
$125,200 | 7.9% | No | Name: Fort Drum Proximity: within 68 miles Amenities: Large commissary, medium exchange, 3 clinics |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 3 Prominent Institution: SUNY Institute of Technology At Utica-Rome |
| Rank | Place | Median Home Price | Unemployment Rate | Federal Pension Taxed? | Military Installation | VA Hospital Proximity | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Angelo, TX Population 107,660 |
$88,500 | 6.8% | No | Name: Goodfellow AFB Proximity: Local Amenities: Large commissary, medium exchange, clinic |
125 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 1 Prominent Institution: Angelo State University |
| 2 | State College, PA Population 146,134 |
$196,000 | 6.8% | No | Name: Carlisle Barracks Proximity: within 55 miles Amenities: Medium commissary, small exchange, clinics |
80 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 1 Prominent Institution: Pennsylvania State University |
| 3 | Abilene, TX Population 160,918 |
$73,000 | 6.9% | No | Name: Dyess AFB Proximity: Local Amenities: Medium commissary, small exchange, clinic |
20 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 3 Prominent Institution: Abilene Christian University |
| 4 | Lawrence, KS Population 115,724 |
$162,300 | 5.8% | No | Name: Fort Leavenworth Proximity: within 33 miles Amenities: Medium commissary, large exchange, 25-bed health center |
90 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 3 Prominent Institution: University of Kansas |
| 5 | Johnstown, PA Population 143,587 |
$77,600 | 10.5% | No | Name: Carlisle Barracks Proximity: within 86 miles Amenities: Medium commissary, small exchange, clinics |
90 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 3 Prominent Institution: University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown |
| 6 | Sherman-Denison, TX Population 120,643 |
$85,400 | 8.7% | No | Name: NAS Joint Reserve Base Proximity: within 77 miles Amenities: Large commissary, clinic |
90 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 1 Prominent Institution: Austin College |
| 7 | La Crosse, WI-MN Population 131,490 |
$127,400 | 6.2% | No | Name: Fort McCoy Proximity: within 23 miles Amenities: Medium commissary, large exchange, clinic |
80 miles | Number of 4-yr colleges: 2 Prominent Institution: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse |
| 8 | Cheyenne, WY Population 87,243 |
$141,400 | 7.0% | No | Name: F.E. Warren AFB Proximity: Local Amenities: Medium commissary, small exchange, clinic |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: n/a Prominent Institution: n/a |
| 9 | Lebanon, PA Population 129,695 |
$138,300 | 7.7% | No | Name: Carlisle Barracks Proximity: within 41 miles Amenities: Medium commissary, small exchange, clinics |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: 2 Prominent Institution: Lebanon Valley College |
| 10 | Pascagoula, MS Population 155,630 |
$100,400 | 9.8% | No | Name: Keesler AFB - Biloxi Proximity: within 18 miles Amenities: Large commissary, large exchange, 185-bed medical center |
Local | Number of 4-yr colleges: n/a Prominent Institution: n/a |
Military Retired Pay Overview
The military retirement system is arguably the best retirement deal around. Unlike most retirement plans, the Armed Forces offer a pension with benefits, that start the day you retire, no matter how old you are.
TRICARE for Retirees
So you are set to retire, but do you know what is going to happen with your health care? Can you really stand to lose your military health care benefits now that you're leaving and probably have a family to take care of?
Online Retirement Center
Helpful tools and advice for military retirees whether you're just getting started, approaching or living in retirement.
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