Texas Veteran Benefits 2025: Complete Guide to Living Tax-Free in Texas

Bottom Line Up Front

Texas has some of the best veteran benefits in the nation. No state income tax for anyone. 100% property tax exemption if you're 100% disabled through the VA. 150 hours of free college tuition through the Hazelwood Act. Plus veteran hiring preferences, drivers license exemptions, business advantages, and more. If you're choosing where to retire or relocate after service, Texas makes a strong financial case. This guide covers every major benefit, who qualifies, and how to maximize your value.

Why Texas for veterans?

1.5 million veterans live in Texas. That's not an accident.

Texas has:

No state income tax (you keep more of your retirement/disability pay)
Massive property tax breaks for disabled veterans
Free college tuition for veterans and dependents
15+ major military installations (easy transition, familiar culture)
Strong veteran employment programs
Large veteran community and support networks
Booming economy with job opportunities

Let's break down each benefit and what it's actually worth.

Property tax exemption (the big one)

This is the benefit that changes the math on living in Texas.

100% Disabled Veterans (the full exemption)

If you have a 100% VA disability rating, you qualify for:

100% exemption from school district property taxes
100% exemption from county property taxes
100% exemption from city property taxes (most cities)
$12,000 exemption from other taxing entities

What's this worth?

Average home in Texas: $320,000 Average property tax rate: 1.6% (varies by area) Annual property tax without exemption: ~$5,120

With 100% disability exemption: $0 for most homeowners

That's $5,000+ per year in savings. Every year. For life.

Over 20 years of retirement, that's $100,000+ in tax-free value.

Partial exemptions (if you're not 100%)

Don't have 100%? You still get partial exemptions:

10-29% disabled: $5,000 off assessed home value
30-49% disabled: $7,500 off assessed home value
50-69% disabled: $10,000 off assessed home value
70-99% disabled: $12,000 off assessed home value

Plus an additional $12,000 off for disabled veterans who are 65+ or surviving spouses.

Example: 60% disabled veteran with a $300,000 home in an area with 2% tax rate:

Regular tax: $6,000/year
With exemption: $5,800/year
Savings: $200/year

Not as dramatic as 100%, but it adds up.

How to claim it

Get your VA disability rating (if you don't have one, apply through VA)
Apply with your county appraisal district - each county handles this separately. Search "[your county] appraisal district veteran exemption"
Provide documentation:
- Copy of your VA disability award letter showing percentage
- DD-214 showing honorable discharge
- Texas driver's license or ID showing residency
- Proof of homeownership
Apply by April 30th for that tax year (but you can apply late and still get future years)
It carries forward - once approved, you don't reapply annually unless your situation changes

Where to start:

Travis County (Austin area)
Harris County (Houston area)
Bexar County (San Antonio area)
Dallas County (Dallas area)
Tarrant County (Fort Worth area)

Or Google "[your county] appraisal district"

No state income tax (everyone benefits)

Texas has no state income tax. Period.

What's this worth?

If you're pulling in military retirement, disability, and civilian income:

E-7 retirement + 60% disability + $75K civilian job = ~$140K total income
In California (9.3% state tax on that): ~$13,000/year in state taxes
In Texas: $0

That's $13,000 more in your pocket. Every year.

Over 20 years: $260,000+ (assuming no income growth, which is conservative)

This alone makes Texas attractive for military retirees drawing multiple income streams.

Hazelwood Act (free college tuition)

The Hazelwood Act provides up to 150 semester credit hours of tuition exemption at Texas public colleges and universities.

Who qualifies?

You must be a Texas resident and meet one of these:

Veteran who served at least 181 days of active duty (excluding training)
Veteran with an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions
Served as a member of the Texas National Guard or Reserve
Child of veteran (if veteran qualifies and transfers unused hours)

What's covered?

Tuition and required fees at any Texas public college or university
Up to 150 credit hours (enough for a bachelor's degree + some graduate work, or multiple degrees)
Undergraduate and graduate courses

What's NOT covered?

Books, supplies, room and board
Lab fees (usually covered, but varies)
Optional fees
Private universities

What's this worth?

University of Texas at Austin:

Annual tuition: ~$11,500
Four-year degree: ~$46,000
Hazelwood saves you: $46,000

Texas A&M:

Annual tuition: ~$12,000
Four-year degree: ~$48,000
Hazelwood saves you: $48,000

Community college pathway:

2 years community college: ~$8,000
2 years university: ~$24,000
Total saved: $32,000

If you have kids, you can transfer your unused hours to them. Many veterans use 30-45 hours for themselves and give the rest to their kids.

How to apply

Apply for admission to a Texas public college/university
Complete the Hazelwood application through the school's financial aid office
Provide documentation:
- DD-214 showing honorable discharge
- Proof of Texas residency (driver's license, utility bills)
- If transferring to children: birth certificate and veteran's unused hours
Submit BEFORE registration for each semester

Each school handles it differently. Contact their financial aid office.

Important: You must be a Texas resident when you apply, not when you served. So you can move to Texas after service and still qualify.

Texas Veterans Land Board (cheap land loans)

The Texas Veterans Land Board offers below-market interest rate loans for:

Land loans - purchase land in Texas

Max loan: $150,000
Interest rate: typically 1-2% below market
Up to 30-year term

Home loans - purchase or refinance a home

Max loan: Up to conventional limits (~$766K for 2025)
Interest rate: competitive with VA loans, sometimes lower
No PMI, low closing costs

Home improvement loans - repairs, renovations

Max loan: $75,000
Low fixed rate
Can be combined with home loan

Who qualifies?

Served in U.S. military
Honorable discharge or still serving
Texas resident (or planning to become one)
Haven't defaulted on previous VLB loan

What's this worth?

Example: $300,000 home loan

Market rate: 7%
VLB rate: 6.5%
Monthly payment difference: ~$95/month
Savings over 30 years: ~$34,000

Plus lower closing costs than conventional loans.

Apply at texasveterans.com

Veteran employment preference

Texas law requires state agencies and some local governments to give hiring preference to veterans.

What it means:

Veterans get preference over non-veterans with similar qualifications
Disabled veterans get additional preference
Apply to state jobs, universities, some city/county positions

Where to look:

Texas Workforce Commission Veteran Services
WorkInTexas.com - state job board with veteran filters
Individual state agency career pages

Does it guarantee a job? No. But it gives you an edge in state/public employment.

Driver's license and ID benefits

Free driver's license for:

Veterans with at least 50% VA disability rating
Medal of Honor recipients

Veteran designation on license:

Optional "Veteran" designation
Makes proving veteran status easier for discounts, benefits
Free to add

Military training credit:

Some military driving experience counts toward commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements

Apply when getting/renewing your Texas license. Bring DD-214.

License plate benefits

Disabled Veteran license plates:

Free registration if you have 60%+ disability rating connected to loss of/loss of use of limb
Specialized DV plates available
Some parking benefits

Other veteran plates:

Various designs (branch-specific, medals, etc.)
Small fee ($30-40 typically)
Shows veteran status

Check current plates at TxDMV.gov

Business benefits

State Contracting Preference: Texas gives preference to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) in state contracting.

HUB Certification: Historically Underutilized Business certification for veteran-owned businesses.

Does it matter? If you're starting a business that contracts with state/local government, yes. These preferences can be worth significant revenue.

Where to apply: Texas Comptroller HUB Program

Hunting and fishing license exemptions

Free hunting/fishing licenses for:

Disabled veterans with 50%+ VA rating
Totally blind veterans
Purple Heart recipients

Lifetime "Super Combo" license for all veterans for $85 (normally $1,000+)

Includes hunting, fishing, all stamps and permits. One-time purchase, good for life.

Is this a big deal? If you hunt/fish regularly, the Super Combo saves $50-100/year in license fees. Over 30 years, that's $1,500-$3,000.

Not life-changing, but a nice perk.

Apply at Texas Parks & Wildlife

Healthcare access (VA facilities)

Texas has extensive VA healthcare:

Major VA Medical Centers:

Houston (Michael E. DeBakey VAMC) - one of the largest in the country
Dallas (VA North Texas)
San Antonio (Audie Murphy VAMC)
El Paso
Temple (Central Texas VA)
Waco
Big Spring
Amarillo

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs): 40+ locations across the state

What's the quality? Mixed. Houston and San Antonio VA facilities are generally well-regarded. Some smaller clinics have longer wait times.

Most veterans use a combination of VA healthcare and private insurance.

Top veteran-friendly employers in Texas

These companies actively recruit veterans:

Defense contractors:

Lockheed Martin (Fort Worth)
Raytheon Technologies (Dallas)
General Dynamics (multiple locations)
CACI (San Antonio)
Booz Allen Hamilton (San Antonio)

Energy:

ExxonMobil (Houston)
ConocoPhillips (Houston)
Halliburton (Houston)

Tech:

USAA (San Antonio) - insurance/financial services for military
Dell Technologies (Austin)
Texas Instruments (Dallas)
Oracle (Austin)

Logistics:

FedEx (Dallas hub)
UPS (Dallas/Houston)
DHL (multiple locations)

Manufacturing:

Toyota (San Antonio)
Samsung (Austin)
Bell Helicopter (Fort Worth)

Most have veteran recruiting programs and understand military skill translation.

Cost of living by major city

Texas is generally affordable, but varies by area:

Austin

Median home: $565,000 (most expensive in Texas)
Rental: $1,600-$2,200 for 2BR
Vibe: Tech hub, liberal, growing fast
Veteran population: Strong, especially in Round Rock/Georgetown

San Antonio

Median home: $280,000 (very affordable)
Rental: $1,100-$1,500 for 2BR
Vibe: Military-heavy (JBSA), strong Hispanic culture
Veteran population: Massive (16% of population is veteran/military)

Houston

Median home: $330,000
Rental: $1,300-$1,800 for 2BR
Vibe: Sprawling, diverse, energy/medical industries
Veteran population: Large veteran community

Dallas-Fort Worth

Median home: $380,000 (Dallas), $310,000 (Fort Worth)
Rental: $1,400-$2,000 for 2BR
Vibe: Corporate, sprawling, diverse job market
Veteran population: Strong in Fort Worth (Naval Air Station JRB)

El Paso

Median home: $245,000 (most affordable major city)
Rental: $900-$1,300 for 2BR
Vibe: Border city, heavy military presence (Fort Bliss)
Veteran population: Very strong

Corpus Christi

Median home: $265,000
Rental: $1,000-$1,400 for 2BR
Vibe: Coastal, slower pace, Navy presence
Veteran population: Strong (Naval Air Station Corpus Christi)

Military installations (if you want to stay close)

Joint Base San Antonio (Army/Air Force)

Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB
80,000+ active duty, largest joint base in DoD

Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) - Army

Killeen area, massive armor/artillery installation

Fort Bliss - Army

El Paso, air defense and maneuver training

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi - Navy

Primary naval flight training

Naval Air Station Fort Worth (JRB) - Navy/Air Force

Joint reserve base

Dyess Air Force Base - Air Force

Abilene, bomber base

Sheppard Air Force Base - Air Force

Wichita Falls, pilot training

If you want to work on base or use facilities regularly, these locations give you access.

How to move to Texas and claim benefits

Step 1: Establish residency Move to Texas and get a Texas driver's license within 30 days. This establishes residency for most benefits.

Step 2: Register to vote Optional but helps establish residency for Hazelwood Act and other benefits.

Step 3: Buy or rent a home If buying, consider using VLB loan. Once you own, apply for property tax exemption.

Step 4: Apply for benefits

Property tax exemption: Apply to county appraisal district
Hazelwood Act: Apply through your college
Hunting/fishing license: Apply at Texas Parks & Wildlife
Driver's license: Bring DD-214 to DPS

Step 5: Connect with veteran resources

Find your local VA clinic
Join local veteran organizations (VFW, American Legion, etc.)
Check out state veteran services

Comparing Texas to other veteran-friendly states

Texas vs. Florida: Both have no state income tax. Florida has property tax exemptions for disabled veterans but more limited (not as generous as Texas 100% exemption). Florida has no Hazelwood-equivalent for free college. Edge: Texas

Texas vs. Oklahoma: Oklahoma has lower property taxes overall and veteran property tax exemptions. Oklahoma has some veteran education benefits. But Oklahoma has state income tax (up to 4.75%). Edge: Texas for high earners

Texas vs. South Dakota: South Dakota has no state income tax, lower property taxes, and veteran property tax breaks. Education benefits are limited. Cost of living is lower, but so are job opportunities. Edge: Texas for job market, South Dakota for pure tax minimization

Texas vs. Arizona: Arizona has property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and no tax on military retirement. But Arizona has state income tax on other income. Education benefits are more limited than Texas. Edge: Texas overall

Real cost comparison (retired E-8 example)

Scenario: Retired E-8 with 23 years, 100% VA disability, married, 2 kids, working $90K civilian job

Income:

Military retirement: $38,000/year
VA disability: $44,000/year (100%, with dependents)
Civilian job: $90,000/year
Total: $172,000/year

Living in California:

State income tax: ~$14,000/year (military retirement tax-free in CA, but disability and civilian taxed)
Property tax on $500K home: ~$7,500/year
Total state/local taxes: $21,500/year

Living in Texas:

State income tax: $0
Property tax on $400K home with 100% exemption: $0
Total state/local taxes: $0/year

Difference: $21,500/year savings in Texas

Over 20 years of retirement: $430,000+ savings (not accounting for investment growth of that money)

Plus Hazelwood Act for 2 kids: ~$100,000 in tuition savings

Total Texas advantage for this family: $500,000+ over 20 years

That's real money.

Who should consider Texas?

Strong fit if you:

Have 100% VA disability (property tax exemption is massive)
Have kids who'll attend college (Hazelwood Act)
Want no state income tax
Work in energy, defense, tech, logistics, or manufacturing
Like hot weather and sprawling suburbs
Want strong veteran community and support

Maybe not the best fit if you:

Hate heat (summers are brutal, 100°F+ common)
Want mountains or dramatic nature (Texas is flat outside Hill Country)
Prefer walkable cities (most of Texas is car-dependent)
Want strong public transit (basically doesn't exist)
Work in industries not strong in Texas

The bottom line

Texas offers veterans an extremely attractive financial package:

No state income tax saves most retirees $5K-$15K+/year
100% property tax exemption saves $3K-$8K+/year for disabled veterans
Hazelwood Act saves $30K-$50K per family member for college
Low cost of living in most areas
Strong job market
Large veteran community

For a 100% disabled veteran with a family, moving to Texas can be worth $500K+ over retirement.

Even if you're not 100%, the no income tax benefit alone makes Texas financially competitive with most states.

Is it perfect? No. It's hot. It's sprawling. Public services are sometimes limited. But financially, for most veterans, it's hard to beat.

Run your own numbers based on your disability rating, income, family size, and where you'd likely live. Use our Texas Veteran Benefits Calculator to see your specific savings.

Texas isn't for everyone. But if the numbers work, it works really well.

Considering a move to Texas? Use our Texas Veteran Benefits Calculator to see exactly how much you'd save based on your disability rating, retirement pay, and family situation.

Texas Veteran Benefits 2025: Complete Guide to Living Tax-Free in Texas

Bottom Line Up Front

Why Texas for veterans?

1.5 million veterans live in Texas. That's not an accident.

Texas has:

No state income tax (you keep more of your retirement/disability pay)
Massive property tax breaks for disabled veterans
Free college tuition for veterans and dependents
15+ major military installations (easy transition, familiar culture)
Strong veteran employment programs
Large veteran community and support networks
Booming economy with job opportunities

Let's break down each benefit and what it's actually worth.

Property tax exemption (the big one)

This is the benefit that changes the math on living in Texas.

100% Disabled Veterans (the full exemption)

If you have a 100% VA disability rating, you qualify for:

100% exemption from school district property taxes
100% exemption from county property taxes
100% exemption from city property taxes (most cities)
$12,000 exemption from other taxing entities

What's this worth?

Average home in Texas: $320,000 Average property tax rate: 1.6% (varies by area) Annual property tax without exemption: ~$5,120

With 100% disability exemption: $0 for most homeowners

That's $5,000+ per year in savings. Every year. For life.

Over 20 years of retirement, that's $100,000+ in tax-free value.

Partial exemptions (if you're not 100%)

Don't have 100%? You still get partial exemptions:

10-29% disabled: $5,000 off assessed home value
30-49% disabled: $7,500 off assessed home value
50-69% disabled: $10,000 off assessed home value
70-99% disabled: $12,000 off assessed home value

Plus an additional $12,000 off for disabled veterans who are 65+ or surviving spouses.

Example: 60% disabled veteran with a $300,000 home in an area with 2% tax rate:

Regular tax: $6,000/year
With exemption: $5,800/year
Savings: $200/year

Not as dramatic as 100%, but it adds up.

How to claim it

Get your VA disability rating (if you don't have one, apply through VA)
Apply with your county appraisal district - each county handles this separately. Search "[your county] appraisal district veteran exemption"
Provide documentation:
- Copy of your VA disability award letter showing percentage
- DD-214 showing honorable discharge
- Texas driver's license or ID showing residency
- Proof of homeownership
Apply by April 30th for that tax year (but you can apply late and still get future years)
It carries forward - once approved, you don't reapply annually unless your situation changes

Where to start:

Travis County (Austin area)
Harris County (Houston area)
Bexar County (San Antonio area)
Dallas County (Dallas area)
Tarrant County (Fort Worth area)

Or Google "[your county] appraisal district"

No state income tax (everyone benefits)

Texas has no state income tax. Period.

What's this worth?

If you're pulling in military retirement, disability, and civilian income:

E-7 retirement + 60% disability + $75K civilian job = ~$140K total income
In California (9.3% state tax on that): ~$13,000/year in state taxes
In Texas: $0

That's $13,000 more in your pocket. Every year.

Over 20 years: $260,000+ (assuming no income growth, which is conservative)

This alone makes Texas attractive for military retirees drawing multiple income streams.

Hazelwood Act (free college tuition)

The Hazelwood Act provides up to 150 semester credit hours of tuition exemption at Texas public colleges and universities.

Who qualifies?

You must be a Texas resident and meet one of these:

Veteran who served at least 181 days of active duty (excluding training)
Veteran with an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions
Served as a member of the Texas National Guard or Reserve
Child of veteran (if veteran qualifies and transfers unused hours)

What's covered?

Tuition and required fees at any Texas public college or university
Up to 150 credit hours (enough for a bachelor's degree + some graduate work, or multiple degrees)
Undergraduate and graduate courses

What's NOT covered?

Books, supplies, room and board
Lab fees (usually covered, but varies)
Optional fees
Private universities

What's this worth?

University of Texas at Austin:

Annual tuition: ~$11,500
Four-year degree: ~$46,000
Hazelwood saves you: $46,000

Texas A&M:

Annual tuition: ~$12,000
Four-year degree: ~$48,000
Hazelwood saves you: $48,000

Community college pathway:

2 years community college: ~$8,000
2 years university: ~$24,000
Total saved: $32,000

If you have kids, you can transfer your unused hours to them. Many veterans use 30-45 hours for themselves and give the rest to their kids.

How to apply

Apply for admission to a Texas public college/university
Complete the Hazelwood application through the school's financial aid office
Provide documentation:
- DD-214 showing honorable discharge
- Proof of Texas residency (driver's license, utility bills)
- If transferring to children: birth certificate and veteran's unused hours
Submit BEFORE registration for each semester

Each school handles it differently. Contact their financial aid office.

Important: You must be a Texas resident when you apply, not when you served. So you can move to Texas after service and still qualify.

Texas Veterans Land Board (cheap land loans)

The Texas Veterans Land Board offers below-market interest rate loans for:

Land loans - purchase land in Texas

Max loan: $150,000
Interest rate: typically 1-2% below market
Up to 30-year term

Home loans - purchase or refinance a home

Max loan: Up to conventional limits (~$766K for 2025)
Interest rate: competitive with VA loans, sometimes lower
No PMI, low closing costs

Home improvement loans - repairs, renovations

Max loan: $75,000
Low fixed rate
Can be combined with home loan

Who qualifies?

Served in U.S. military
Honorable discharge or still serving
Texas resident (or planning to become one)
Haven't defaulted on previous VLB loan

What's this worth?

Example: $300,000 home loan

Market rate: 7%
VLB rate: 6.5%
Monthly payment difference: ~$95/month
Savings over 30 years: ~$34,000

Plus lower closing costs than conventional loans.

Apply at texasveterans.com

Veteran employment preference

Texas law requires state agencies and some local governments to give hiring preference to veterans.

What it means:

Veterans get preference over non-veterans with similar qualifications
Disabled veterans get additional preference
Apply to state jobs, universities, some city/county positions

Where to look:

Texas Workforce Commission Veteran Services
WorkInTexas.com - state job board with veteran filters
Individual state agency career pages

Does it guarantee a job? No. But it gives you an edge in state/public employment.

Driver's license and ID benefits

Free driver's license for:

Veterans with at least 50% VA disability rating
Medal of Honor recipients

Veteran designation on license:

Optional "Veteran" designation
Makes proving veteran status easier for discounts, benefits
Free to add

Military training credit:

Some military driving experience counts toward commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements

Apply when getting/renewing your Texas license. Bring DD-214.

License plate benefits

Disabled Veteran license plates:

Free registration if you have 60%+ disability rating connected to loss of/loss of use of limb
Specialized DV plates available
Some parking benefits

Other veteran plates:

Various designs (branch-specific, medals, etc.)
Small fee ($30-40 typically)
Shows veteran status

Check current plates at TxDMV.gov

Business benefits

State Contracting Preference: Texas gives preference to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) in state contracting.

HUB Certification: Historically Underutilized Business certification for veteran-owned businesses.

Does it matter? If you're starting a business that contracts with state/local government, yes. These preferences can be worth significant revenue.

Where to apply: Texas Comptroller HUB Program

Hunting and fishing license exemptions

Free hunting/fishing licenses for:

Disabled veterans with 50%+ VA rating
Totally blind veterans
Purple Heart recipients

Lifetime "Super Combo" license for all veterans for $85 (normally $1,000+)

Includes hunting, fishing, all stamps and permits. One-time purchase, good for life.

Is this a big deal? If you hunt/fish regularly, the Super Combo saves $50-100/year in license fees. Over 30 years, that's $1,500-$3,000.

Not life-changing, but a nice perk.

Apply at Texas Parks & Wildlife

Healthcare access (VA facilities)

Texas has extensive VA healthcare:

Major VA Medical Centers:

Houston (Michael E. DeBakey VAMC) - one of the largest in the country
Dallas (VA North Texas)
San Antonio (Audie Murphy VAMC)
El Paso
Temple (Central Texas VA)
Waco
Big Spring
Amarillo

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs): 40+ locations across the state

What's the quality? Mixed. Houston and San Antonio VA facilities are generally well-regarded. Some smaller clinics have longer wait times.

Most veterans use a combination of VA healthcare and private insurance.

Top veteran-friendly employers in Texas

These companies actively recruit veterans:

Defense contractors:

Lockheed Martin (Fort Worth)
Raytheon Technologies (Dallas)
General Dynamics (multiple locations)
CACI (San Antonio)
Booz Allen Hamilton (San Antonio)

Energy:

ExxonMobil (Houston)
ConocoPhillips (Houston)
Halliburton (Houston)

Tech:

USAA (San Antonio) - insurance/financial services for military
Dell Technologies (Austin)
Texas Instruments (Dallas)
Oracle (Austin)

Logistics:

FedEx (Dallas hub)
UPS (Dallas/Houston)
DHL (multiple locations)

Manufacturing:

Toyota (San Antonio)
Samsung (Austin)
Bell Helicopter (Fort Worth)

Most have veteran recruiting programs and understand military skill translation.

Cost of living by major city

Texas is generally affordable, but varies by area:

Austin

Median home: $565,000 (most expensive in Texas)
Rental: $1,600-$2,200 for 2BR
Vibe: Tech hub, liberal, growing fast
Veteran population: Strong, especially in Round Rock/Georgetown

San Antonio

Median home: $280,000 (very affordable)
Rental: $1,100-$1,500 for 2BR
Vibe: Military-heavy (JBSA), strong Hispanic culture
Veteran population: Massive (16% of population is veteran/military)

Houston

Median home: $330,000
Rental: $1,300-$1,800 for 2BR
Vibe: Sprawling, diverse, energy/medical industries
Veteran population: Large veteran community

Dallas-Fort Worth

Median home: $380,000 (Dallas), $310,000 (Fort Worth)
Rental: $1,400-$2,000 for 2BR
Vibe: Corporate, sprawling, diverse job market
Veteran population: Strong in Fort Worth (Naval Air Station JRB)

El Paso

Median home: $245,000 (most affordable major city)
Rental: $900-$1,300 for 2BR
Vibe: Border city, heavy military presence (Fort Bliss)
Veteran population: Very strong

Corpus Christi

Median home: $265,000
Rental: $1,000-$1,400 for 2BR
Vibe: Coastal, slower pace, Navy presence
Veteran population: Strong (Naval Air Station Corpus Christi)

Military installations (if you want to stay close)

Joint Base San Antonio (Army/Air Force)

Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB
80,000+ active duty, largest joint base in DoD

Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) - Army

Killeen area, massive armor/artillery installation

Fort Bliss - Army

El Paso, air defense and maneuver training

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi - Navy

Primary naval flight training

Naval Air Station Fort Worth (JRB) - Navy/Air Force

Joint reserve base

Dyess Air Force Base - Air Force

Abilene, bomber base

Sheppard Air Force Base - Air Force

Wichita Falls, pilot training

If you want to work on base or use facilities regularly, these locations give you access.

How to move to Texas and claim benefits

Step 1: Establish residency Move to Texas and get a Texas driver's license within 30 days. This establishes residency for most benefits.

Step 2: Register to vote Optional but helps establish residency for Hazelwood Act and other benefits.

Step 3: Buy or rent a home If buying, consider using VLB loan. Once you own, apply for property tax exemption.

Step 4: Apply for benefits

Property tax exemption: Apply to county appraisal district
Hazelwood Act: Apply through your college
Hunting/fishing license: Apply at Texas Parks & Wildlife
Driver's license: Bring DD-214 to DPS

Step 5: Connect with veteran resources

Find your local VA clinic
Join local veteran organizations (VFW, American Legion, etc.)
Check out state veteran services

Comparing Texas to other veteran-friendly states

Real cost comparison (retired E-8 example)

Scenario: Retired E-8 with 23 years, 100% VA disability, married, 2 kids, working $90K civilian job

Income:

Military retirement: $38,000/year
VA disability: $44,000/year (100%, with dependents)
Civilian job: $90,000/year
Total: $172,000/year

Living in California:

State income tax: ~$14,000/year (military retirement tax-free in CA, but disability and civilian taxed)
Property tax on $500K home: ~$7,500/year
Total state/local taxes: $21,500/year

Living in Texas:

State income tax: $0
Property tax on $400K home with 100% exemption: $0
Total state/local taxes: $0/year

Difference: $21,500/year savings in Texas

Over 20 years of retirement: $430,000+ savings (not accounting for investment growth of that money)

Plus Hazelwood Act for 2 kids: ~$100,000 in tuition savings

Total Texas advantage for this family: $500,000+ over 20 years

That's real money.

Who should consider Texas?

Strong fit if you:

Have 100% VA disability (property tax exemption is massive)
Have kids who'll attend college (Hazelwood Act)
Want no state income tax
Work in energy, defense, tech, logistics, or manufacturing
Like hot weather and sprawling suburbs
Want strong veteran community and support

Maybe not the best fit if you:

Hate heat (summers are brutal, 100°F+ common)
Want mountains or dramatic nature (Texas is flat outside Hill Country)
Prefer walkable cities (most of Texas is car-dependent)
Want strong public transit (basically doesn't exist)
Work in industries not strong in Texas

The bottom line

Texas offers veterans an extremely attractive financial package:

No state income tax saves most retirees $5K-$15K+/year
100% property tax exemption saves $3K-$8K+/year for disabled veterans
Hazelwood Act saves $30K-$50K per family member for college
Low cost of living in most areas
Strong job market
Large veteran community

For a 100% disabled veteran with a family, moving to Texas can be worth $500K+ over retirement.

Even if you're not 100%, the no income tax benefit alone makes Texas financially competitive with most states.

Is it perfect? No. It's hot. It's sprawling. Public services are sometimes limited. But financially, for most veterans, it's hard to beat.

Run your own numbers based on your disability rating, income, family size, and where you'd likely live. Use our Texas Veteran Benefits Calculator to see your specific savings.

Texas isn't for everyone. But if the numbers work, it works really well.

Considering a move to Texas? Use our Texas Veteran Benefits Calculator to see exactly how much you'd save based on your disability rating, retirement pay, and family situation.