Austin Retains Top Spot for Veteran Livability in WalletHub Report

Austin has secured the number one position in a national ranking for veteran livability, according to a new report by WalletHub released on November 2, 2026. The city maintained its top standing in a comparison of the 100 largest U.S. cities, a result that continues its long streak of leading the nation in this specific category.

Analysts evaluated the cities using 19 distinct metrics. These factors included the share of jobs related to military skills, the growth rate of veteran income, and the availability of VA health facilities. Austin posted the fifth best quality of life score among the major metros. Its economic standing for veterans, calculated via housing affordability, median income, income growth, educational access, and poverty rates, placed the city at 11th in the country.

The report identified specific financial drivers for the city's high ranking. Austin offers the ninth highest median annual income for veterans, which exceeds $66,000. The study noted that the city's educational infrastructure is a primary contributor to its top position, citing it as having the best colleges for veterans in the U.S.

Health and employment metrics also played a role in the final score. Austin ranked 25th in the health category and 44th in employment. The report indicated that these figures reflect the quality of local VA facilities and the benefits provided by area employers to service members. The authors emphasized the value of community support networks for veterans who have shared similar experiences.

Texas dominated the upper tier of the national list. Three Texas cities appeared in the top five, with Plano and Fort Worth taking fourth and fifth place, respectively. Other Texas municipalities made the list at various intervals, including Dallas at 22nd, Garland at 24th, San Antonio at 25th, and Houston at 51st.

Madison, Wisconsin, ranked second in the study, followed by Scottsdale, Arizona, in third. Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, also held positions in the top ten. The full top ten list includes Austin, Madison, Scottsdale, Plano, Fort Worth, Virginia Beach, Gilbert, Arizona, Raleigh, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Irvine, California.