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Overall Rating: 85/100 · 380,000 veterans (5.5% of population)
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 Massachusetts Department of Veterans Affairs before you rely on them.
100% exempt from state income tax (no age or income limits)
1.13% average effective rate
Modest fixed exemption (varies by town)
Clause 22: ~$400+ for 10%+; ~$1,000 at 100%; many towns double under the 2024 HERO Act. Full exemption only for paraplegic/SAH/blind. These are tax-$ reductions, not value.
Source ↗One vehicle exempt from 6.25% sales tax and annual excise tax for 100% disabled veterans with DV plates
$79,675
VA Medical Center
150 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 232-9500
Emergency care, primary care, mental health, surgery, cardiology, oncology, neurology, PTSD treatment, spinal cord injury care, blind rehabilitation
State Tuition Waiver
Veterans who are permanent and legal residents of Massachusetts; active duty stationed in MA
4-year value: $48,000
Median Home
$375,000
1BR Rent
$1,600/mo
COL Index
105
Unemployment
3.5%
Major employers: UMass Memorial Health Care, Saint-Gobain, Hanover Insurance, Polar Beverages
Pros: Most affordable major city, Vet Center on-site, growing job market, central location, Veterans Inc. housing/employment services
Cons: No on-site VA medical center (must drive to Boston), higher property taxes, some high-crime neighborhoods, harsh winters
Most veterans considering Massachusetts for relocation pair this with one of these next steps:
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Buying a home
$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
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