Hawaii has emerged as the top state in the U.S. where veterans can enjoy financial stability.
The island state offers veterans both income opportunities and job availability, boasting a high Financial Health Score of 82.91.
This was determined by a recent DesignRush study, which also revealed that veterans in Hawaii earn an average income of $58,936 and have access to the highest job opportunities per capita — accounting for 110.21 jobs per 1,000 people.
In a state that enjoys low unemployment and a strong job market, veterans can access the most favorable environment despite a modest average disposable income of $3,445.
No matter which state our war heroes live in, let's make it a point to honor their services and sacrifices on Veteran's Day on November 11.
Hawaii Leads in Veteran Financial Stability
The agency directory study’s Financial Health Score is calculated based on income, unemployment rates, job opportunities per capita, and state tax policies to reflect essential economic factors for veterans.
Here are the top five states:
1. Hawaii (82.91)
- Average income: $58,936
- Disposable income: $3,445
- Jobs per 1,000: 110.21
- Income tax: 1.4% - 11%
Hawaii was found to have the lowest unemployment rate, the highest job availability among top states, and a solid income, making it the ideal state for veterans to live in.
2. Alaska (81.56)
- Average income: $64,673
- Disposable income: $16,003
- Jobs per 1,000: 110.94
- Income tax: 0
Offering the highest income and tax-free status, Alaska boasts a low unemployment rate, supporting economic security. It also offers the highest disposable income for veterans.
3. Connecticut (80.84)
- Average income: $55,989
- Disposable income: $9,077
- Jobs per 1,000: 27.65
- Income tax: 3% - 6.99%
Connecticut has the lowest unemployment rate among the top states at 0.4%. Here, veterans can enjoy both financial security and employment stability.
4. Wyoming (80.15)
- Average income: $52,022
- Disposable income: $14,472
- Jobs per 1,000: 51.35
- Income tax: 0
Wyoming’s supportive economic environment features no state income tax, a high disposable income, and 51.35 jobs per 1,000 people.
5. Massachusetts (80.11)
- Average income: $55,634
- Disposable income: $1,774
- Jobs per 1,000: 2.39
- Income tax: 5% - 9%
With a relatively low unemployment rate of 1.7%, veterans can look forward to a stable income level. The state remains a top competitor for veterans' financial well-being, despite the moderate job availability.
New Mexico (63.15), Virginia (70.25), and Minnesota (70.62) ranked the lowest due to higher unemployment levels and lower disposable incomes, which offer fewer financial advantages.
The Top 10 States
| State | Unemployment rate | Income | Disposable income | Jobs per 1,000 pop. | Income tax | Financial Health Score |
| Hawaii | 2% | $58,936 | $3,445 | 110.21 | 1.4-11% | 82.91 |
| Alaska | 3.1% | $64,673 | $16,003 | 110.94 | 0 | 81.56 |
| Connecticut | 0.4% | $55,989 | $9,077 | 27.65 | 3-6.99% | 80.84 |
| Wyoming | 1.2% | $52,022 | $14,472 | 51.35 | 0 | 80.15 |
| Massachusetts | 1.7% | $55,634 | $1,774 | 2.39 | 5-9% | 80.11 |
| Rhode Island | 2.5% | $53,050 | $8,569 | 181.39 | 3.75-5.99% | 79.69 |
| New Hampshire | 3.6% | $57,485 | $11,910 | 69.11 | 4% on interest and dividends only | 79.57 |
| Washington | 3.8% | $55,474 | $8,243 | 3.45 | 7% on capital gains only | 79.21 |
| Vermont | 1.7% | $46,789 | $2,862 | 92.29 | 3.35- 8.75% | 79.20 |
| Florida | 2.5% | $50,111 | $9,599 | 9.97 | 0 | 79.03 |
Methodology
These Veteran Scores evaluate states based on six metrics to achieve a weighted average score. These metrics are:
- Unemployment Rate (0.25): Measures job stability within each state
- Income (0.1): Represents earning potential for veterans
- Job Openings per 1,000 Population (0.1) – Indicates job availability and employment prospects
- State Income Tax (0.15) – Evaluates the financial impact of state tax policies
- Disposable Income (0.25) – Reflects financial flexibility after basic expenses
- Veteran Facilities (0.15) – Assesses accessibility to veteran-specific services
The metrics were normalized using z-scores and scaled between a 50 to 100 range to achieve the weighted average.
Each state's ability to support veterans' financial stability and general quality of life is highlighted by the final score, which is a weighted average of these variables.
