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Overall Rating: 88/100 · 722,000 veterans (8.8% of population)
Reviewed 2026. Programs and exemptions verified against Virginia 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 Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs before you rely on them.
Fully exempt
0.8% average effective rate
Full exemption
100% P&T service-connected (incl. permanent IU): full exemption of dwelling + up to 1 acre. Nothing below 100% P&T.
Source ↗Some exemptions for disabled veterans
$30,000
VA Medical Center
100 Emancipation Dr, Hampton, VA 23667
(757) 722-9961
Full service, spinal cord injury, PTSD
VA Medical Center
1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, VA 23249
(804) 675-5000
Full service, research, cardiology
VA Medical Center
1970 Roanoke Blvd, Salem, VA 24153
(540) 982-2463
Full service, mental health, geriatrics
Free tuition for dependents
90%+ disabled veteran dependents
4-year value: $52,000
Median Home
$380,000
1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL Index
103
Unemployment
3.5%
Major employers: Naval Station Norfolk, Oceana NAS, contractors
Pros: Beaches, huge military community, low crime, good schools
Cons: Hurricane risk, tourist traffic in summer, humidity
Median Home
$280,000
1BR Rent
$1,100/mo
COL Index
95
Unemployment
3.7%
Major employers: Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base), shipyards
Pros: Massive Navy presence, affordable, military culture
Cons: Traffic, some high-crime areas, flooding
Median Home
$320,000
1BR Rent
$1,200/mo
COL Index
96
Unemployment
3.8%
Major employers: State government, finance, healthcare, VA hospital
Pros: State capital, VA hospital, history, diverse economy
Cons: Higher crime in city, traffic, summer humidity
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Buying a home
$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
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Under Va. Code 2.2-2903, veterans receive a 5% addition to a competitive test score and disabled veterans receive 10%; for non-exam positions, qualified veterans are given preference in selection. The preference also extends to surviving spouses and children.
Official source ↗The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources offers free lifetime hunting, freshwater fishing, and trapping licenses to permanently and totally service-connected disabled resident veterans, and reduced-fee lifetime licenses to those rated 70%+.
Official source ↗Virginia DVS summarizes veteran license options and the required proof (VA Benefit Summary Letter or Certificate of Disability) for the DWR disabled-veteran lifetime licenses.
Official source ↗Veterans who lost/lost use of a limb, are blind, or are certified permanently and totally disabled by the VA get one free set of Disabled Veteran plates and an exemption from the annual registration fee on one personal vehicle; unremarried surviving spouses also qualify.
Official source ↗Any veteran with a VA-certified service-connected disability may purchase Disabled Veteran plates ($10 special fee plus normal fees); veteran-designation plates are also available.
Official source ↗DVS operates state veterans care centers providing long-term skilled nursing, dementia/memory care, and short-term rehab: Sitter & Barfoot (Richmond), Puller (Warrenton), Jones & Cabacoy (Virginia Beach), and Davis & McDaniel (Roanoke).
Official source ↗Waives tuition and mandatory fees (up to 8 semesters) at Virginia public colleges for spouses and children (ages 16-29) of service members killed, MIA, POW, or rated at least 90% disabled from military service; certified by DVS.
Official source ↗Under Va. Code 58.1-3219.5, the surviving spouse of a veteran rated 100% service-connected permanent and total disabled keeps the real property tax exemption on their principal residence as long as they do not remarry (portable within the Commonwealth since July 2019).
Official source ↗Sourced from official state agencies; programs and eligibility change — confirm with your Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs before applying.