Loading...
Overall Rating: 85/100 · 222,000 veterans (10% of population)
Reviewed 2026. Programs and exemptions verified against Arkansas veterans-affairs and tax-authority sources.
Benefit details verified January 2025. Tax exemptions, caps, and eligibility change and can vary by county — always confirm current figures with your county assessor and your Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs before you rely on them.
100% exempt - All military retirement pay is exempt from Arkansas state income tax with no age restrictions, income limits, or phase-outs
0.6% average effective rate
Full exemption
100% P&T, or SMC for limb loss/blindness: full exemption of homestead. Nothing below 100%/SMC.
Source ↗Specially adapted vehicles and equipment purchased with VA assistance are exempt from state sales taxes
$74,000
VA Medical Center
4300 West 7th Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 257-1000 / 1-800-224-8387
Primary care, Mental health, Surgery (general, orthopedic, vascular), Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, PTSD treatment, Substance abuse, Women's health, Prosthetics, Dental, Audiology, Optometry, Polytrauma care, Spinal cord injury, 24/7 emergency department
State Scholarship - Dependents/Spouses of Disabled Veterans
Spouses or dependent children of veterans killed in action, missing in action, POWs, or totally and permanently disabled due to service. Unremarried widow(er)s of eligible veterans.
4-year value: $200,000
Median Home
$370,000
1BR Rent
$900/mo
COL Index
95
Unemployment
3.2%
Major employers: University of Arkansas (10,000+ employees), Washington Regional Medical Center, Walmart (nearby), Tyson Foods (nearby), growing tech startups
Pros: On-site VA medical center, excellent education opportunities (U of A with GI Bill), outstanding outdoor recreation (Ozark Mountains, world-class mountain biking), growing job market, safe family-friendly community, active cultural scene
Cons: Higher housing costs than rest of Arkansas, rapid growth causing traffic and development pressures, competitive housing market
Most veterans considering Arkansas for relocation pair this with one of these next steps:
Compare side-by-side
Stack Arkansas against the other 49 states on tax breaks, healthcare, and employment preferences.
Don't skip
State property tax exemptions kick in at specific rating tiers. Get your rating before you relocate.
Quick calculator
Determines which Arkansas property tax tier you qualify for. 30 seconds.
Buying a home
$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
Sign up for free to use the interactive comparison tool, personalized savings calculator, and moving cost estimator.
Arkansas adds 5 points to the final rating score of an honorably discharged veteran and 10 points for a disabled veteran (or the spouse of a disabled veteran whose disability disqualifies them), as certified by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs records. Preference applies both when building the interview list and when ranking candidates for final selection.
Official source ↗Veterans certified 100% totally and permanently disabled by the VA with one year of Arkansas residency can obtain lifetime fishing or hunting licenses for $1.50 each (or a $3.00 combination). Issued through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Official source ↗Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher (or 50%+ with a Purple Heart) and one year of Arkansas residency can buy a $52.50 lifetime license covering hunting, fishing, trout, and the state duck stamp.
Official source ↗Veterans certified disabled by the VA under Act 7 of 1949 or Act 30 of 1979 qualify for a free disabled veteran specialty plate (registration fee waived); one additional plate is available for a $4.00 fee. A VA verification letter is required.
Official source ↗Veterans may add a 'veteran' designation to an Arkansas driver's license or ID by presenting a qualifying discharge document (DD-214, NGB Form 22, or VA ID card) showing honorable or general-under-honorable-conditions service through the Office of Driver Services.
Official source ↗The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs operates two nursing homes: the Arkansas State Veterans Home at Fayetteville and at North Little Rock. Eligibility requires an honorable discharge, status as a veteran, veteran's spouse, or Gold Star parent, and a documented medical need for nursing home placement.
Official source ↗Waives in-state tuition, mandatory fees, and on-campus room and board at Arkansas public and private colleges for the spouse or dependent child of an Arkansas veteran killed or missing in action, held as a POW, killed on ordnance delivery, or rated 100% totally and permanently disabled from service. Spouses lose eligibility if they remarry; limited to eight semesters.
Official source ↗The homestead property tax exemption for a 100% service-connected disabled veteran continues for the surviving (unremarried) spouse and minor dependent children, and also applies where the veteran was killed in action or died of a service-connected disability. Administered through the county assessor per Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs guidance.
Official source ↗Sourced from official state agencies; programs and eligibility change — confirm with your Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs before applying.