Best Great Plains States for Veterans 2025
Guide to best Great Plains states for military retirees. Compare Texas, Kansas, Missouri for veteran benefits, cost of living, and job opportunities.
Best Great Plains States for Veterans 2025
The Great Plains represent America's most affordable region for military retirees, combining exceptional tax benefits for military retirement, very low cost of living, agricultural heritage, and increasingly diverse job markets. This guide ranks the best Great Plains states for transitioning service members seeking maximum purchasing power.
Top 3 Great Plains States for Veterans
1. TEXAS - BEST OVERALL GREAT PLAINS CHOICE
Why Texas Dominates:
- No state income tax: On any income source (ultimate advantage)
- Military retirement: 100% tax-free
- Cost of living: Low-moderate (97 index)
- Job market: Excellent (especially tech, energy, healthcare)
- Military presence: Numerous bases, strong culture
- VA healthcare: Extensive statewide network
- Housing: Median $315,000 (very affordable)
- Climate: Warm, minimal winter
Financial Advantages:
- Zero state income tax on all income
- Military retirement completely tax-free
- Other income completely tax-free
- Property tax: 1.8% (higher rate but no income tax offset)
- Very affordable housing throughout state
- Growing job market
Best Cities:
- San Antonio: Very affordable ($290K), military culture, excellent VA, growing tech
- Austin: Tech hub, higher cost ($480K), excellent job market, outdoors access
- Dallas: Major city, good jobs, affordable suburbs ($380K)
- Houston: Large metro, diverse economy, good jobs ($310K)
Financial Profile - $50K Military Pension + $10K Other:
- State income tax: $0
- Property tax: ~$5,400/year on $300K home
- Cost of living: 97 index
- Annual cost: ~$38,000-$40,000
10-Year Cost: ~$380,000-$400,000
Outdoor Recreation:
- Hunting and fishing (abundant)
- State parks (95 parks)
- Hill Country outdoor recreation
- Water recreation (lakes, rivers)
- Hiking trails throughout
Recommendation: Texas optimal for military retirees wanting no state income tax combined with good job opportunities and affordability.
2. KANSAS - LOWEST PROPERTY TAX + MILITARY EXEMPTION
Why Kansas Appeals to Budget-Conscious Retirees:
- Military retirement: 100% exempt
- Property tax: 0.71% (lowest Great Plains)
- Cost of living: 98 index (very low)
- Housing: Median $220,000 (very affordable)
- Climate: Four seasons, tornado consideration
- Job market: Moderate, growing aerospace (Wichita)
Financial Advantages:
- Military retirement completely tax-free
- Lowest property tax rate in region: ~$2,130/year on $300K
- Very low cost of living
- Very affordable housing
- 30-year property tax savings: $30,000+ vs national average
Best Cities:
- Wichita: Aerospace hub, growing economy ($220K)
- Topeka: Capital city, government jobs, affordable ($200K)
- Smaller towns: Extremely affordable housing ($160K)
Financial Profile - $45K Pension Only:
- State income tax: $0
- Property tax: ~$2,130/year
- Cost of living: 98 index
- Annual cost: ~$30,000-$32,000 (lowest Great Plains)
10-Year Cost: ~$300,000-$320,000
Drawbacks:
- Tornado season (more severe than Texas/Missouri)
- Smaller job market
- Less diverse recreation
Recommendation: Kansas best for retirees prioritizing absolute affordability over job opportunities or recreation diversity.
3. MISSOURI - BALANCED OPTION
Why Missouri Deserves Consideration:
- Military retirement: 100% exempt
- Cost of living: Very low (100 index)
- Job market: Better than Kansas
- Property tax: 0.97% (moderate)
- Housing: Median $235,000 (affordable)
- Climate: Moderate winters, less tornadic than Kansas
Financial Profile:
- Military retirement tax-free
- Property tax: ~$2,910/year
- Cost of living: Very low
- Better job market than Kansas
- Good VA healthcare network
Best Cities:
- St. Louis: Major city, diverse economy ($240K)
- Kansas City: Metro area, good opportunities ($260K)
- Springfield: Small city, affordable ($190K)
Financial Profile - $50K Pension + $10K Other:
- State income tax: $910
- Property tax: ~$2,910
- Cost of living: 100 index
- Annual cost: ~$34,500
10-Year Cost: ~$345,000
Recommendation: Missouri ideal balance between affordability, job opportunities, and lifestyle quality.
Financial Comparison: Military Retiree with $45K Pension + $10K Other Income
| State | Income Tax | Property Tax (300K) | Cost of Living | Annual Cost | 10-Yr Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $0 | $5,400 | 97 | $38,500 | $385,000 |
| Kansas | $0 | $2,130 | 98 | $33,020 | $330,200 |
| Missouri | $910 | $2,910 | 100 | $34,510 | $345,100 |
Best Value: Kansas (Lowest overall cost) Best Balance: Missouri (Affordability + job market + weather) Best Income Tax: Texas (No state income tax)
30-Year Property Tax Impact ($300,000 Home)
| State | Year 1 | Year 30 | 30-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $2,130 | $2,730 | $71,850 |
| Missouri | $2,910 | $3,730 | $101,850 |
| Texas | $5,400 | $6,900 | $178,200 |
30-Year Advantage: Kansas saves $106,350 over Texas!
Job Market Comparison
| State | Strongest Sectors | Avg Salary | Unemployment | Veterans Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Tech, Energy, Healthcare | $56,200 | 3.5% | 89% |
| Missouri | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance | $54,100 | 3.5% | 89% |
| Kansas | Aerospace, Manufacturing | $51,900 | 3.3% | 90% |
Best Job Market: Texas (Higher salaries, more diverse opportunities)
VA Healthcare Comparison
| State | Major Centers | Providers | Wait Time | Clinics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 5 | 2,800+ | 19 days | 50+ |
| Missouri | 4 | 1,600+ | 18 days | 42+ |
| Kansas | 3 | 900+ | 19 days | 22+ |
Best VA Healthcare: Texas (Most comprehensive network)
Military Culture & Presence
Texas:
- Military Bases: Fort Hood (largest), Fort Bliss, Fort Sam Houston, Naval Station Corpus Christi
- Veteran Population: 1.3 million (2nd most in nation)
- Military Culture: Very strong throughout state
- Veteran Communities: Abundant, well-established
Missouri:
- Military Bases: Fort Leonard Wood, Scott Air Force Base (IL border)
- Veteran Population: 400,000+
- Military Culture: Moderate
- Veteran Communities: Growing
Kansas:
- Military Bases: Fort Riley, McConnell Air Force Base
- Veteran Population: 300,000+
- Military Culture: Moderate
- Veteran Communities: Established but smaller
Winner: Texas (Largest military presence and veteran infrastructure)
Climate Comparison
| State | Summer | Winter | Rainfall | Tornadoes | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 95-100°F | 50-60°F | 30-50" | Moderate | Best |
| Missouri | 85-92°F | 30-40°F | 40-48" | Moderate | Good |
| Kansas | 85-95°F | 25-35°F | 20-40" | Frequent | Challenging |
Climate Winner: Texas (Warmest, mildest winters, manageable weather)
Recommendations by Great Plains Veteran Profile
Budget-Conscious Retirees ($45K Pension Only)
Best: Kansas
- Lowest annual costs (~$33K)
- Military retirement tax-free
- Lowest property taxes
- Challenge: Limited job market, tornadoes
- Recommendation: Wichita or small towns
Military Retirees Seeking Balance
Best: Missouri
- Affordable but not absolute minimum
- Better job market than Kansas
- Better weather than Kansas
- Good VA healthcare
- Recommendation: Springfield, St. Louis suburbs
Working Veterans or Career-Focused
Best: Texas
- No state income tax (major advantage)
- Excellent job market + salaries
- Strong military culture/base presence
- Extensive VA healthcare
- Best for: San Antonio, Austin (tech), Houston
- Trade-off: Higher property tax
Veterans Wanting Urban Amenities
Best: Texas (Dallas, Houston) or Missouri (St. Louis)
- Texas: Larger metro areas, more opportunities
- Missouri: More affordable than Texas cities
- Recommendation: Dallas suburbs or St. Louis
Disabled Veterans on Fixed Income
Best: Kansas or Missouri
- Military retirement tax-free
- Low cost of living
- Moderate property taxes (especially Kansas)
- Recommendation: Kansas small towns or Missouri Springfield
Overall Great Plains Ranking for Veterans
| Rank | State | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 9.3/10 | Working veterans, no-tax state, military culture |
| 2 | Missouri | 9.0/10 | Balance of affordability + opportunities |
| 3 | Kansas | 8.7/10 | Budget-conscious retirees |
Key Great Plains Advantages for Veterans
- No/Low State Income Tax: Texas has zero, others exempt military retirement
- Lowest Cost of Living: Comparable to Midwest, cheaper than most regions
- Affordable Housing: $220-315K medians
- Strong Military Culture: Especially Texas with multiple major bases
- Good VA Healthcare: Growing networks across region
- Outdoor Recreation: Hunting, fishing, state parks abundant
- Employment Growth: Especially Texas (tech, energy) and Missouri
- Strong Veteran Communities: Established networks and support
Great Plains vs Other Regions Comparison
| Factor | Great Plains | Southeast | Midwest | Pacific NW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | Lowest | Very low | Very low | High |
| Tax on military retirement | 0-exempt | Exempt | Exempt | Taxable (OR) |
| Climate | Hot/moderate | Warm | Cold | Mild/rainy |
| Job market | Growing (TX) | Moderate | Moderate | Excellent |
| VA healthcare | Good-Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good-Excellent |
| Outdoor recreation | Hunting/Fishing | Beaches | Lakes | Mountains/Coast |
Conclusion
The Great Plains represents America's best region for budget-conscious military retirees, combining:
- No or exempted military retirement income
- Lowest cost of living (Kansas, Missouri)
- Affordable housing
- Strong military culture (especially Texas)
- Growing job markets (especially Texas)
- Good and growing VA healthcare
- Outdoor recreation (hunting, fishing)
Texas dominates for working veterans wanting no income tax + job opportunities.
Missouri offers best balance of affordability, opportunities, and quality of life.
Kansas best for retirees prioritizing absolute lowest costs.
A military retiree with $55,000 annual income can achieve excellent quality of life for $33,000-$39,000 annually in the Great Plains—enabling travel, recreation, and substantial savings. The region's combination of tax benefits, affordability, military presence, and growing economies makes it increasingly attractive for next-generation military retirees.