Best Mountain West States for Veterans 2025
Guide to best Mountain West states for military retirees. Compare Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming for veteran benefits and outdoor recreation.
Best Mountain West States for Veterans 2025
The Mountain West represents America's premier region for outdoor recreation combined with growing economies, military retirement tax exemptions, and increasingly attractive living costs. This guide ranks the best Mountain West states for transitioning military retirees seeking outdoor lifestyle and career opportunities.
Top 5 Mountain West States for Veterans
1. COLORADO - BEST FOR OUTDOOR-FOCUSED VETERANS
Why Colorado Leads:
- Military retirement: 100% exempt from state income tax
- Cost of living: Low-moderate (outdoor recreation + tech economy)
- Climate: 300+ days of sunshine, excellent outdoor conditions
- Job market: Excellent (especially tech in Denver, Boulder)
- VA healthcare: Excellent statewide network
- Outdoor recreation: World-class skiing, hiking, climbing
Financial Profile:
- Military retirement: Tax-free
- State income tax: 4.4% (flat on other income)
- Cost of living: 108 index (moderate for region)
- Housing median: $525,000 (high due to tech growth)
- Property tax: 0.51% (lowest in nation)
- 10-year cost for $50K income: ~$460,000
Best Cities:
- Denver: Tech opportunities, urban amenities, nearby mountains, higher cost
- Colorado Springs: Military base presence, affordable ($420K), excellent outdoor access
- Fort Collins: Tech growth, college town culture, outdoor recreation
Outdoor Recreation:
- World-class skiing (Vail, Aspen, Keystone)
- Hiking: Rocky Mountain trails
- Rock climbing: Premier destinations
- Mountain biking: Renowned systems
- Elevation: 5,280-14,000+ feet
Recommendation: Colorado ideal for tech-focused veterans willing to pay premium for outdoor recreation + career growth.
2. UTAH - BEST VALUE MOUNTAIN WEST OPTION
Why Utah Excels:
- Military retirement: Taxed (4.65% rate)
- Cost of living: Lower than Colorado (103 index)
- Outdoor recreation: National parks, deserts, mountains
- Community: Strong, family-oriented
- Job market: Growing (especially Salt Lake City tech)
- VA healthcare: Good and growing
- Housing: Median $425,000 (more affordable than Colorado)
Financial Profile:
- Military retirement: Taxed at 4.65%
- Lower cost of living offsets tax burden
- Property tax: 0.60% (very low)
- Housing more affordable than Colorado
- 10-year cost for $50K income: ~$420,000 (vs $460K Colorado)
Best Cities:
- Salt Lake City: Growing tech hub, excellent skiing nearby, urban culture
- Provo: Affordable, college town, growing tech sector
- St. George: Very affordable, Zion access, retirement-focused
Outdoor Recreation:
- 5 national parks (Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, Capitol Reef)
- Skiing: Alta, Snowbird, Powder Mountain
- Hiking: Some of America's best trails
- Desert recreation: Red rock country
- Lower elevation (4,200-9,000 feet): Easier adaptation
Unique Advantage: National parks access within state—unmatched recreation diversity.
Recommendation: Utah ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking better value than Colorado.
3. IDAHO - EMERGING TECH HUB + AFFORDABILITY
Why Idaho Appeals:
- Military retirement: 100% exempt
- Cost of living: Moderate (105 index)
- Emerging tech hub: Boise tech boom (2nd fastest-growing)
- Outdoor recreation: Excellent
- VA healthcare: Good statewide
- Housing: $365,000 (moderate for region)
- Community: Growing, welcoming
Financial Advantages:
- Military retirement tax-free
- Emerging tech opportunities (without full California costs)
- Property tax: 0.87%
- Growing job market
- Outdoor recreation included
Best Cities:
- Boise: Tech boom, affordable urban living, outdoor access ($420K)
- Pocatello: Very affordable, college town, mountains ($240K)
- Coeur d'Alene: Outdoor recreation, beautiful lakes, moderate cost ($380K)
Outdoor Recreation:
- Mountains: Sawtooth, White Cloud ranges
- Skiing: Sun Valley, Schweitzer
- Rivers: Salmon, Snake rivers
- Lakes: Payette, Coeur d'Alene
- Fishing: World-class fly fishing
Consideration: Idaho housing prices rapidly rising due to tech boom—long-term value less certain.
Recommendation: Idaho optimal for tech-focused outdoor enthusiasts before prices rise further.
4. MONTANA - MOST OUTDOOR-FOCUSED STATE
Why Montana Attracts:
- Military retirement: 100% exempt
- Cost of living: Moderate (104 index)
- Outdoor recreation: Most wilderness in lower 48
- National parks: Glacier, Yellowstone access
- Community: Outdoor culture deeply embedded
- VA healthcare: Growing
- Housing: Median $340,000
- Climate: True seasons, excellent outdoor conditions
Financial Profile:
- Military retirement tax-free
- Very low property tax
- Moderate housing costs
- Strong outdoor culture
- 10-year cost: ~$365,000-$380,000
Best Cities:
- Missoula: College town, growing tech, culture ($400K)
- Billings: Moderate cost, practical ($320K)
- Bozeman: Premier outdoor recreation, expensive ($480K)
Outdoor Recreation:
- National parks: Glacier and Yellowstone access
- Mountains: Northern Rockies
- Rivers: Yellowstone, Missouri
- Fishing: Excellent
- Hiking: Some of nation's best trails
Lifestyle: True mountain culture, "frontier" feel, less development pressure
Recommendation: Montana ideal for retirees prioritizing outdoor living over career opportunities.
5. WYOMING - LOWEST COST + TAX-FREE
Why Consider Wyoming:
- No state income tax: Any source (unique advantage)
- Military retirement: 100% tax-free
- Cost of living: Very low (96 index)
- Housing: Very affordable ($280K median)
- Property tax: 0.61% (very low)
- VA healthcare: Limited (major drawback)
- Outdoor recreation: Excellent
- Lifestyle: Frontier, less developed
Financial Advantages:
- No state income tax—unique advantage
- Military retirement completely tax-free
- Very low property taxes
- Very affordable housing
- 10-year cost: ~$340,000 (lowest Mountain West)
Drawbacks:
- Very limited VA healthcare
- Smaller veteran community
- Remote, rural lifestyle
- Long distances between services
Best Cities:
- Casper: Moderate size, affordable
- Laramie: College town, outdoor recreation, affordable
Recommendation: Wyoming only for budget-conscious retirees comfortable with remote living and private healthcare.
Financial Comparison: $50,000 Military Pension + $10,000 Other Income
| State | Tax on Pension | Tax on Other | Cost of Living | Housing | Annual Cost | 10-Yr Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $0 | $440 | 108 | $525K | $46,000 | $460,000 |
| Utah | $2,325 | $465 | 103 | $425K | $42,000 | $420,000 |
| Idaho | $0 | $475 | 105 | $365K | $37,900 | $379,000 |
| Montana | $0 | $600 | 104 | $340K | $36,900 | $369,000 |
| Wyoming | $0 | $0 | 96 | $280K | $34,000 | $340,000 |
Best Value: Wyoming, then Montana, then Idaho Best Overall: Colorado (if resources allow)
VA Healthcare Rankings
| State | Centers | Providers | Wait Time | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 3 | 1,400+ | 20 days | Good |
| Utah | 2 | 1,200+ | 22 days | Adequate |
| Idaho | 3 | 1,100+ | 20 days | Good |
| Montana | 3 | 800+ | 22 days | Limited |
| Wyoming | 1 | ~300 | 24+ days | Very Limited |
Best VA Healthcare: Colorado and Idaho
Outdoor Recreation Ranking
| State | Skiing | Hiking | National Parks | Fishing | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Excellent | Excellent | Limited | Good | Excellent |
| Utah | Very Good | Excellent | Exceptional (5) | Excellent | Exceptional |
| Idaho | Good | Excellent | Limited | Excellent | Excellent |
| Montana | Very Good | Excellent | Exceptional (2) | Excellent | Exceptional |
| Wyoming | Good | Good | Limited | Good | Good |
Best Recreation: Utah and Montana (tie)
Recommendations by Mountain West Veteran Profile
Career-Focused Tech Professional
Best: Colorado
- Tech opportunities (Denver, Boulder)
- Urban amenities + mountain access
- Higher salaries justify costs
- Recommendation: Denver, Boulder
Outdoor Enthusiast, Fixed Income
Best: Montana
- Mountain recreation priority
- Affordable housing
- Tax-free retirement
- Accept lower VA resources
- Recommendation: Missoula, Billings
Balanced Lifestyle Seeker
Best: Utah
- National parks diversity
- Growing Salt Lake City tech
- More affordable than Colorado
- Better VA than Montana
- Recommendation: Salt Lake City, St. George
Budget-Conscious Retiree
Best: Wyoming
- No state income tax
- Lowest overall costs
- Tax-free retirement
- Challenge: Limited VA healthcare
- Recommendation: Only if can afford private care
Tech + Outdoor Balance
Best: Idaho
- Emerging tech opportunities
- Outdoor recreation
- Tax-free retirement
- Value before prices rise
- Recommendation: Boise area
Overall Mountain West Ranking for Veterans
| Rank | State | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 9.1/10 | Outdoor + career-focused |
| 2 | Utah | 9.0/10 | Outdoor + affordability balance |
| 3 | Montana | 8.8/10 | Pure outdoor recreation focus |
| 4 | Idaho | 8.7/10 | Tech + outdoor balance |
| 5 | Wyoming | 7.5/10 | Budget-conscious (with healthcare caveat) |
Key Mountain West Advantages for Veterans
- Military Retirement Tax Exemptions: All except Utah (though lower rates)
- Outdoor Recreation: World-class skiing, hiking, fishing
- Sunshine: 300+ days annually (Colorado, Wyoming)
- Growing Job Markets: Especially tech (Colorado, Idaho)
- Lower Property Taxes: Very low rates across region
- Outdoor Culture: Established recreational communities
- Air Quality: Generally excellent
- Four Seasons: Full seasonal variation
Climate Considerations
| State | Winter Severity | Elevation | Adaptation Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Severe | 5,280-14,000 ft | High altitude adjustment |
| Utah | Moderate-Severe | 4,200-9,000 ft | Easier adaptation |
| Idaho | Severe (north) | 2,000-7,000 ft | Variable |
| Montana | Severe | 2,000-10,000 ft | Cold winters |
| Wyoming | Severe | 4,000-13,000 ft | High altitude + cold |
Conclusion
The Mountain West offers unmatched outdoor recreation combined with growing economic opportunities for veterans.
Colorado emerges as best overall for those balancing career and outdoor recreation.
Utah provides best value for outdoor enthusiasts on budget.
Montana optimal for retirement-focused outdoor living.
Idaho emerging as best tech + outdoor combination before costs rise.
Wyoming lowest cost but requires private healthcare resources.
For a military retiree with $60,000 annual income, the Mountain West enables:
- World-class outdoor recreation
- Four-season climate
- Growing tech opportunities
- Excellent quality of life
- Annual costs $34,000-$46,000 depending on state choice
The region's combination of tax benefits, outdoor recreation, growing economies, and veteran-friendly communities makes it increasingly attractive for next-generation military retirees.