North Dakota’s Support For Veterans Sets It Apart Nationwide
North Dakota ranks among the best places in the nation for military retirees, placing second overall in a new analysis that highlights the state’s strong health care access, affordability and support services for veterans.
The report, released by WalletHub, evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 metrics, including job opportunities, housing affordability, health care access, and the share of veteran-owned businesses.
Source: WalletHub
South Carolina took the top spot, while North Dakota followed closely behind, buoyed by its high marks in economic environment and health care. The state ranked third in economic conditions and fourth in health care access, though it placed 25th in overall quality of life.
“Transitioning from military to civilian life isn’t easy, but the best states for military retirees make that adjustment as smooth as possible,” said WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo. “In addition to providing the conditions necessary for our veterans to thrive financially, they also have ample resources for taking care of military retirees’ physical and mental health.”
WalletHub’s findings show North Dakota stands out in several key areas. The state has the fifth-highest number of hospital establishments and ranks among the top states for access to Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, helping ensure medical care for former service members. It also reports relatively low levels of veteran homelessness, ranking 11th lowest nationwide.
State policies also contribute to its high ranking. North Dakota allows employers to give hiring preference to veterans and offers specialized courts aimed at helping veterans in the criminal justice system through treatment and mentoring programs.
Compared to neighboring states, North Dakota performs particularly well. South Dakota ranks 10th overall, benefiting from strong job opportunities for veterans and a low rate of veteran homelessness. Minnesota comes in ninth, driven largely by high-quality health care, while Wyoming places third overall with the nation’s top-ranked quality of life.
Other states in the broader region fall further down the list. Nebraska ranks 21st, Montana ranks 45th and Iowa lands at 27th.
Despite Montana’s lower overall ranking, the report notes it performs well in certain categories, including having one of the highest shares of veterans per capita and a strong presence of VA health facilities relative to its veteran population.
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