Top States for Retired Military Families: Balancing Benefits, Homeschool, Higher Education, and Affordability
Choosing the best state to live in as a retired military family involves considering factors like free college benefits for your children, tax-free military pensions, homeschool-friendliness, and overall affordability. After analyzing all 50 states, here’s what we found:
Top States: Virginia, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina lead the pack, offering tax-free military pensions, generous tuition waivers for children of disabled or deceased veterans, and flexible homeschool laws.
Second Tier: States like Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee are also strong contenders, offering similar benefits with lower costs of living.
Third Tier: States like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio offer decent benefits but may lack flexibility in homeschooling or have higher costs.
Fourth & Bottom Tiers: States like Vermont, Oregon, and Washington have limited tuition benefits and higher costs of living. Northeastern states and D.C. rank lowest due to strict regulations, high housing costs, and fewer veteran benefits.
For military families, the southern and midwestern states stand out for affordability, homeschool freedom, and robust support for veterans and their dependents. Whether you’re seeking a rural retreat or a suburban community, the right state can make all the difference in ensuring a bright future for your family.
Here is the comprehensive list of all 50 states, ranked based on college tuition benefits, military pension taxes, homeschool-friendliness, and affordability.
Top Tier States (Best Overall Fit)
1. Virginia
Free College: Children of deceased or 90%+ disabled veterans under the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program. Covers tuition and fees for up to four years at public colleges.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Multiple legal options, including religious exemption and certified tutor. Minimal reporting.
Affordability: Moderate; rural areas are more affordable than cities like Northern Virginia.
2. Florida
Free College: Congressman C.W. Bill Young Program provides tuition waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: No state income tax.
Homeschooling: Minimal requirements; parents must submit an annual letter of intent and maintain a portfolio.
Affordability: Moderate; lower costs in central and northern regions.
3. Texas
Free College: Hazlewood Act covers tuition for children of disabled or deceased veterans with a Texas residency connection.
Military Pension: No state income tax.
Homeschooling: Very flexible; considered private schooling with no reporting required.
Affordability: Affordable, particularly in rural areas and smaller towns.
4. North Carolina
Free College: Scholarships for children of deceased or disabled veterans, covering tuition and fees at state schools.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires an annual notice of intent and standardized testing.
Affordability: Moderate; affordable housing in smaller cities and rural areas.
5. South Carolina
Free College: Free tuition for children of deceased or disabled veterans at public colleges.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Offers three legal options, including association with a homeschool organization.
Affordability: Very affordable, especially outside coastal areas.
6. Delaware
Free College: Waivers for children of deceased or 100% disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual enrollment and attendance reporting but minimal oversight.
Affordability: Moderate.
7. Arkansas
Free College: Free tuition for children of deceased or 100% disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual notice but otherwise flexible.
Affordability: Very low cost of living.
8. Oklahoma
Free College: Tuition waivers for children of deceased or 100% disabled veterans.
Military Pension: 75% tax-free.
Homeschooling: No notice or reporting requirements.
Affordability: Low cost of living.
9. Alabama
Free College: Waivers for children of veterans rated 20%+ disabled or deceased.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires oversight through a church school or private tutor.
Affordability: Very affordable, with low housing costs.
10. Tennessee
Free College: Assistance for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: No state income tax.
Homeschooling: Minimal requirements with notice of intent required.
Affordability: Low housing costs.
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Second Tier States (Good but Not Perfect)
11. West Virginia
Free College: Hope Scholarship Program for dependents of veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires notice of intent and annual assessment.
Affordability: Very affordable.
12. Missouri
Free College: Tuition assistance for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Flexible with minimal oversight.
Affordability: Affordable housing and cost of living.
13. Georgia
Free College: Service Canceled Loan Program for children of veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual attendance reporting.
Affordability: Moderate; rural areas are very affordable.
14. Kentucky
Free College: Tuition waivers for children of veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal requirements; parents choose curricula.
Affordability: Low cost of living.
15. Indiana
Free College: Free tuition for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Partially tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal reporting requirements.
Affordability: Affordable, especially outside major cities.
16. California
Free College: CalVet Fee Waiver for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Options for private schooling at home, but requires oversight.
Affordability: High cost of living, though Central Valley is more affordable.
17. Colorado
Free College: Partial tuition assistance for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual notification and assessments.
Affordability: Rising cost of living.
18. Nevada
Free College: Limited benefits for dependents of disabled or deceased veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal oversight.
Affordability: Moderate.
19. Arizona
Free College: Tuition waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Flexible but requires notification.
Affordability: Affordable outside major cities.
20. Michigan
Free College: Waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal oversight.
Affordability: Moderate; rural areas are more affordable.
Third Tier States (Mixed Criteria Match)
21. Minnesota
Free College: Partial benefits for children of deceased or disabled veterans under the War Orphans Educational Assistance Program.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual testing but otherwise flexible.
Affordability: Moderate; housing is affordable in rural areas but higher in cities like Minneapolis.
22. Wisconsin
Free College: Free tuition at public colleges for children of deceased or disabled veterans under the Wisconsin GI Bill.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual notice of intent and recordkeeping.
Affordability: Moderate; affordable in rural areas.
23. Ohio
Free College: Tuition assistance for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free for those with a federal retirement plan.
Homeschooling: Requires notification and annual assessment.
Affordability: Affordable in many areas, especially rural counties.
24. Kansas
Free College: Tuition waivers for children of deceased or 100% disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal oversight; parents choose curricula.
Affordability: Low cost of living.
25. Idaho
Free College: Waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans at state colleges.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal regulations; no reporting required.
Affordability: Moderate; affordable outside high-demand areas like Boise.
26. Montana
Free College: Tuition waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans at state universities.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual notice and minimal recordkeeping.
Affordability: Moderate; more affordable in rural areas.
27. Nebraska
Free College: Waivers for children of deceased or 100% disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual notice and testing.
Affordability: Moderate.
28. Iowa
Free College: Limited tuition assistance for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Fully tax-free as of 2014.
Homeschooling: Options include independent private instruction with minimal oversight.
Affordability: Very affordable.
29. Mississippi
Free College: Limited benefits for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual notice but otherwise flexible.
Affordability: Very low cost of living.
30. New Mexico
Free College: Tuition waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal oversight with notification required.
Affordability: Affordable overall.
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Fourth Tier States (Low Benefit Alignment)
31. Alaska
Free College: Limited tuition assistance for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal oversight.
Affordability: Moderate; higher costs in remote areas.
32. Utah
Free College: Tuition waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal regulations; no reporting required.
Affordability: Moderate; Salt Lake City is more expensive.
33. Wyoming
Free College: Free tuition for children of deceased or disabled veterans at state colleges.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal oversight required.
Affordability: Very affordable.
34. North Dakota
Free College: Waivers for children of deceased or 100% disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal requirements, including annual notification.
Affordability: Affordable.
35. South Dakota
Free College: Waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal requirements.
Affordability: Affordable.
36. Pennsylvania
Free College: Tuition waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Fully tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires approval and evaluation.
Affordability: Moderate to high, depending on region.
37. Maine
Free College: Waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Moderate regulations, including annual assessment.
Affordability: Moderate.
38. Vermont
Free College: Limited tuition assistance for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual notification and evaluation.
Affordability: High cost of living.
39. Oregon
Free College: Tuition assistance for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Minimal reporting required.
Affordability: Moderate.
40. Washington
Free College: Partial waivers for children of deceased or disabled veterans.
Military Pension: Tax-free.
Homeschooling: Requires annual testing or evaluation.
Affordability: High cost of living, especially in Seattle.
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Bottom Tier States (Least Aligned)
41. Hawaii
42. New York
43. Massachusetts
44. Connecticut
45. Rhode Island
46. New Hampshire
47. Maryland
48. Illinois
49. New Jersey
50. District of Columbia
These states generally have stricter homeschooling laws, limited or no tuition benefits for veterans’ dependents, and high costs of living. Military pensions may still be tax-free, but other factors make them less desirable.
Finding the best state for your family as a retired veteran is about more than just benefits—it's about creating a stable, supportive, and affordable environment for you and your loved ones. By considering factors like free college programs, tax-free pensions, and homeschool laws, you can find a state that aligns with your family's unique needs and values. No matter where you choose to call home, know that your service has opened doors to opportunities that can help your family thrive.
Happy Researching,
Tabitha
*Please keep in mind that these results can change at any time. Please check for current VA benefits, Homeschool laws, etc.