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Overall Rating: 82/100 · 314,000 veterans (7% of population)
Reviewed 2026. Programs and exemptions verified against Minnesota 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 Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs before you rely on them.
Partial exemption based on age and income. Under 65: military retirement partially exempt if other income less than $71,970 (single) or $93,260 (married). Age 65+: can choose military retirement subtraction or public pension subtraction up to $6,600 (single) or $13,200 (married)
1.2% average effective rate
$300,000 market-value exclusion
Market-value exclusion (lowers taxable value, not full forgiveness): $300,000 at 100% P&T/permanent-IU; $150,000 at 70%+. Nothing below 70%.
Source ↗Disabled veterans exempt from motor vehicle sales tax (6.5% state rate plus local) on one vehicle. Clothing and footwear exempt from sales tax statewide
$100,150
VA Medical Center
One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 467-3000
Full-service medical center: emergency care 24/7, surgery, mental health, PTSD treatment, cardiology, oncology, neurology, rehabilitation, women's health, prosthetics, geriatrics, palliative care, polytrauma support, substance abuse treatment, homeless veteran services, blind rehabilitation, spinal cord injury care
Dependent Education Benefit
Children and spouses of veterans who died from service-connected disability, are 100% P&T disabled, are MIA/POW, or died on active duty. Must be MN resident, under age 30, maintain satisfactory academic progress
4-year value: $60,000
Median Home
$465,000
1BR Rent
$1,200/mo
COL Index
108.5
Unemployment
3.5%
Major employers: UnitedHealth Group, Target, 3M, General Mills, Best Buy, U.S. Bank, Medtronic, Ameriprise Financial
Pros: Best VA healthcare in MN, strongest job market (18 Fortune 500 HQ), world-class culture, excellent schools in suburbs, major airport hub, medical device industry recruiting, property tax exclusion saves $3,600+/year
Cons: Highest housing costs in MN ($465K), high cost of living, brutal winters (-20°F wind chills), higher overall taxes, some high-crime areas, growing traffic congestion
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$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
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For State of Minnesota agency positions, once minimum qualifications are met, disabled veterans are ranked ahead of veterans, who are ranked ahead of non-veterans; the top five recently separated veterans who qualify for a vacancy are granted an interview.
Official source ↗Veterans who pass the exam for an open-competitive position in a Minnesota county, city, school district, or other political subdivision may claim 10 extra points; veterans with a compensable service-connected disability may claim 15 extra points.
Official source ↗Veterans with any level of service-related disability and Purple Heart recipients are eligible for a free year-round vehicle permit providing unlimited access to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas.
Official source ↗A permanent (lifetime) angling license is issued to Minnesota resident veterans age 16+ with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability, available from the DNR License Center.
Official source ↗Eligible veterans, including retired National Guard and Reserve members, can add a 'Veteran' designation to their Minnesota driver's license or ID card by presenting qualifying documentation such as a DD-214.
Official source ↗Effective January 1, 2024, veterans with a 100% total service-connected disability (including TDIU) receive free motor vehicle registration, plate, and title services for up to two vehicles.
Official source ↗MDVA operates veterans homes in Minneapolis, Hastings, Silver Bay, Fergus Falls, Luverne, Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston. Eligible residents are honorably discharged Minnesota-resident veterans who served 181+ consecutive days of active duty (or were discharged earlier due to a line-of-duty disability) and require skilled nursing care.
Official source ↗Surviving spouses and children of a veteran who died on active duty or from a service-connected condition may attend a public Minnesota university or college tuition-free until earning a bachelor's degree, plus up to $750 per fiscal year for fees, books, supplies, and/or room and board.
Official source ↗Sourced from official state agencies; programs and eligibility change — confirm with your Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs before applying.