Special Report

States With the Best Benefits for Veterans

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There are more than 19 million veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces across the country and the world. After serving, veterans who are honorably discharged are entitled to an array of benefits and services provided by the government.

While many benefits are the responsibility of the federal government, some perks are handled by state governments. The quality and accessibility of these services can vary widely from state to state.

To determine the states with the best benefits for veterans, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed an article on the Best and Worst States for Veterans from financial comparison site MagnifyMoney from financial comparison site MagnifyMoney. States were ranked based on the veteran population, the quality and quantity of Veterans Affairs centers, and the economic circumstances for veterans. 

About a quarter of veterans, 4.7 million people, have a service-connected disability. Veterans Affairs health care and other benefits provided to service members can be a crucial lifeline for those struggling with the physical and mental challenges they now face as a result of their service.

The quality of veterans benefits also depend heavily on economics — some states give out much more significant tax breaks to former service members than others, saving them thousands of dollars on property taxes. These are the states with the highest and lowest property taxes.

Click here to see the state with the best benefits for veterans

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50. New Jersey
> Score: 22.8/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 16.9 per 100,000 VA enrollees (20th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $7,000-$7,999

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49. New York
> Score: 28.1/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 21.4 per 100,000 VA enrollees (14th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $4,000-$4,099

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48. Illinois
> Score: 29.9/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 16.8 per 100,000 VA enrollees (19th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $3,400-$3,499

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47. California
> Score: 29.9/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 13.3 per 100,000 VA enrollees (9th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,800-$2,899

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46. Oregon
> Score: 32.0/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 18.9 per 100,000 VA enrollees (20th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,600-$2,699

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45. Michigan
> Score: 33.0/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 18.5 per 100,000 VA enrollees (24th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,000-$2,099

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44. Tennessee
> Score: 36.0/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 16.5 per 100,000 VA enrollees (18th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,100-$1,199

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43. Texas
> Score: 37.3/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 11.8 per 100,000 VA enrollees (5th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,500-$2,599

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42. Wisconsin
> Score: 37.4/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 15.3 per 100,000 VA enrollees (15th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $3,000-$3,099

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41. Massachusetts
> Score: 37.7/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 21.5 per 100,000 VA enrollees (13th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $4,000-$4,099

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40. Pennsylvania
> Score: 39.2/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 17.3 per 100,000 VA enrollees (23rd lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,500-$2,599

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39. Connecticut
> Score: 39.3/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 17.3 per 100,000 VA enrollees (24th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $5,000-$5,499

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38. Ohio
> Score: 39.6/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 14.9 per 100,000 VA enrollees (13th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,900-$1,999

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37. Louisiana
> Score: 39.7/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 17.1 per 100,000 VA enrollees (21st lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $400-$449

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36. Mississippi
> Score: 41.3/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 16.2 per 100,000 VA enrollees (17th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $600-$649

35. Rhode Island
> Score: 41.4/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 14.4 per 100,000 VA enrollees (12th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $3,800-$3,899

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34. Minnesota
> Score: 41.7/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 12.2 per 100,000 VA enrollees (7th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,200-$2,299

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33. Florida
> Score: 42.4/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 13.9 per 100,000 VA enrollees (10th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,500-$1,599

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32. Indiana
> Score: 42.4/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 17.1 per 100,000 VA enrollees (22nd lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,000-$1,099

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31. Georgia
> Score: 43.0/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 12.7 per 100,000 VA enrollees (8th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,300-$1,399

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30. Oklahoma
> Score: 43.2/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 15.0 per 100,000 VA enrollees (14th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,000-$1,099

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29. Arizona
> Score: 43.8/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 17.4 per 100,000 VA enrollees (25th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,400-$1,499

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28. Missouri
> Score: 44.0/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 19.4 per 100,000 VA enrollees (19th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,300-$1,399

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27. Utah
> Score: 44.1/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 18.5 per 100,000 VA enrollees (23rd highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,500-$1,599

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26. Washington
> Score: 44.2/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 10.0 per 100,000 VA enrollees (2nd lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,900-$2,999

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25. Arkansas
> Score: 44.5/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 20.8 per 100,000 VA enrollees (16th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $700-$749

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24. Kentucky
> Score: 45.6/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 18.2 per 100,000 VA enrollees (25th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,100-$1,199

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23. New Hampshire
> Score: 46.7/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 20.0 per 100,000 VA enrollees (18th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $5,000-$5,499

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22. Maryland
> Score: 46.8/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 11.8 per 100,000 VA enrollees (6th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $3,000-$3,099

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21. Nevada
> Score: 47.0/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 18.7 per 100,000 VA enrollees (21st highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,500-$1,599

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20. Alabama
> Score: 47.5/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 14.3 per 100,000 VA enrollees (11th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $400-$449

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19. New Mexico
> Score: 48.5/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 26.2 per 100,000 VA enrollees (10th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,200-$1,299

18. Nebraska
> Score: 48.8/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 20.3 per 100,000 VA enrollees (17th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,500-$2,599

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17. West Virginia
> Score: 49.0/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 27.8 per 100,000 VA enrollees (8th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $600-$649

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16. Colorado
> Score: 49.2/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 16.0 per 100,000 VA enrollees (16th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,500-$1,599

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15. Delaware
> Score: 49.9/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 18.5 per 100,000 VA enrollees (22nd highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,200-$1,299

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14. North Carolina
> Score: 50.1/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 10.6 per 100,000 VA enrollees (3rd lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,300-$1,399

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13. South Carolina
> Score: 51.0/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 10.9 per 100,000 VA enrollees (4th lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $800-$849

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12. Iowa
> Score: 51.4/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 23.3 per 100,000 VA enrollees (12th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,000-$2,099

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11. Montana
> Score: 53.1/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 43.9 per 100,000 VA enrollees (2nd highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,700-$1,799

10. Kansas
> Score: 53.4/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 25.2 per 100,000 VA enrollees (11th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,900-$1,999

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9. Maine
> Score: 55.7/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 27.9 per 100,000 VA enrollees (7th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,300-$2,399

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8. South Dakota
> Score: 56.9/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 35.6 per 100,000 VA enrollees (5th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,000-$2,099

7. Vermont
> Score: 57.6/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 43.8 per 100,000 VA enrollees (3rd highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $4,000-$4,099

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6. Idaho
> Score: 60.4/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 21.3 per 100,000 VA enrollees (15th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,200-$1,299

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5. Virginia
> Score: 62.5/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 9.8 per 100,000 VA enrollees (the lowest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,200-$2,299

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4. Alaska
> Score: 66.9/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 26.6 per 100,000 VA enrollees (9th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $2,000-$2,099

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3. Wyoming
> Score: 67.1/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 53.1 per 100,000 VA enrollees (the highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,200-$1,299

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2. Hawaii
> Score: 67.7/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 29.8 per 100,000 VA enrollees (6th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,500-$1,599

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1. North Dakota
> Score: 67.9/100
> Number of Veterans centers: 43.6 per 100,000 VA enrollees (4th highest)
> Median property tax range for veterans: $1,600-$1,699

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