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Overall Rating: 75/100 · 607,000 veterans (3.1% of population)
Reviewed 2026. Programs and exemptions verified against New York 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 New York Department of Veterans Affairs before you rely on them.
100% exempt from state income tax
2.3% average effective rate
Varies by municipality (local option)
Alternative Veterans exemption: each locality opts in and caps the amount. Disabled portion adds half the rating % of assessed value atop 15% wartime/10% combat. No statewide figure.
Source ↗No veteran-specific exemptions
$60,000
VA Medical Center
800 Poly Place, Brooklyn, NY 11209
(718) 836-6600
Full service medical center
VA Medical Center
423 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
(212) 686-7500
Full service medical center
VA Medical Center
130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468
(718) 584-9000
Full service medical center
VA Medical Center
113 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208
(518) 626-5000
Full service medical center
VA Medical Center
3495 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215
(716) 834-9200
Full service medical center
VA Medical Center
800 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 425-4400
Full service medical center
Free tuition
Free tuition at SUNY/CUNY for 4+ year veterans
4-year value: $28,280
Tuition waiver
Active NY National Guard members
4-year value: $28,280
Median Home
$196,000
1BR Rent
$900/mo
COL Index
93
Unemployment
3.5%
Major employers: Syracuse University, Upstate Medical, Lockheed Martin
Pros: #5 nationally for veterans, excellent VA access, affordable
Cons: Heavy snowfall, smaller job market
Median Home
$200,000
1BR Rent
$850/mo
COL Index
86
Unemployment
3.2%
Major employers: Kaleida Health, M&T Bank, University at Buffalo
Pros: Most affordable major NY city, 4-5 star VA
Cons: Heavy lake effect snow, economy recovering
Median Home
$296,000
1BR Rent
$1,100/mo
COL Index
95
Unemployment
3%
Major employers: NY State Government, Albany Medical Center, GlobalFoundries
Pros: State capital, 60K+ government jobs with veteran preference, 4-star VA
Cons: Cold winters, smaller private sector
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$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
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Disabled veterans receive 10 additional points on open-competitive civil service exams and 5 points on promotion exams; non-disabled wartime veterans receive 5 and 2.5 points respectively. Requires NY residency and, for disabled preference, a 10%+ VA disability rating.
Official source ↗The 55-c program authorizes up to 500 state positions to be filled by wartime-era veterans with a 10%+ service-connected disability who meet the minimum qualifications, without taking the civil service exam.
Official source ↗New York resident veterans with a 40% or greater VA service-connected disability qualify for $5 hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses from the DEC, plus free bowhunting/muzzleloading privileges and Deer Management Permit preference.
Official source ↗New York resident wartime veterans with a 40%+ service-connected disability (or who received VA funds for an adapted vehicle) receive a free Lifetime Liberty Pass giving free vehicle entry to state parks and DEC day-use areas, free golf at 28 courses, free pool entry, and discounted camping.
Official source ↗New York allows an honorable-service veteran designation to be added to a NY State driver's license, permit, or non-driver photo ID document.
Official source ↗Veterans with a service-connected disability may obtain Disabled Veteran or Disabled American Veteran custom plates (by mail with proof of disability); qualifying disabled veterans can also be exempt from vehicle registration and plate fees.
Official source ↗New York operates five state veterans' nursing homes in Oxford, Montrose, St. Albans, Long Island (Stony Brook), and Batavia. Open to honorably discharged veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents who require skilled nursing care and entered service from NY or were NY residents for one year; there are no out-of-pocket costs and no means test while in the home.
Official source ↗The unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran may continue the Alternative Veterans' property tax exemption (15% assessed-value reduction for wartime service, plus additional reductions for combat service and disability) if title is in the spouse's name and it remains their primary residence.
Official source ↗New York provides an annual annuity to Gold Star parents of service members who died in military service; Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities are also exempt from New York income tax.
Official source ↗Sourced from official state agencies; programs and eligibility change — confirm with your New York Department of Veterans Affairs before applying.