Finding a job in the civilian world can be stressful and chaotic. Whether you've spent two years serving or are about to retire, the civilian job market is exceptionally unstructured compared to the regimented lifestyle the U.S. military provides. Some will have a plan of action well before they leave, but many others will plunge in without clear direction. Even if your transition is well behind you, it's never too late to plan an effective way to advance your career, or simply find a bit of stability in a tumultuous job market.
One of the most important elements of a successful job hunt is the city you're living in. No matter what your career goals are or how much experience you have, your place of residence can make or break the search. One of the most immediate and prominent influences of a city is its cost of living. If home and rental prices are exorbitantly high, and you'll have fewer resources available to handle the costs of finding a job. Unemployment rates should also be noted. While they aren't direct predictions of success, they provide a glimpse into how hard it might be to make a living in that city.
Fortunately, there's plenty of information available to help you choose the city that best suits your post-transition needs. USAA partnered with Hiring Our Heroes to compile three distinct lists of the best cities for job-seeking veterans. They commissioned Sperling's BestPlaces and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University to compile and analyze data for more than 379 cities in the U.S. They looked at more than 30 variables to determine which cities are most suitable for veterans starting out, those midway in their career and those who are retiring.
No matter where you are in your career, it's never too late to find a city that best suits your needs.
Starting Out
- Pittsburgh
Median home price: $113,500
Median rental price (two bedroom): $799
Unemployment: 6.8% - Austin, Texas
Median home price: $201,400
Median rental price (2BR): $1,098
Unemployment: 5.2% - Oklahoma City, Okla.
Median home price: $126,600
Median rental price (2BR): $751
Unemployment: 5.1% - San Antonio
Median home price: $131,200
Median rental price (2BR): $913
Unemployment: 6.0% - St. Louis
Median home price: $126,900
Median rental price (2BR): $833
Unemployment: 7.2% - Columbus, Ohio
Median home price: $136,200
Median rental price (2BR): $826
Unemployment: 6.2% - State College, Pa.
Median home price: $194,500
Median rental price (2BR): $849
Unemployment: 5.6% - Cincinnati
Median home price: $129,200
Median rental price (2BR): $781
Unemployment: 7.1% - College Station, Texas
Median home price: $128,900
Median rental price (2BR): $888
Unemployment: 5.1% - Minneapolis
Median home price: $202,400
Median rental price (2BR): $982
Unemployment: 4.8%
Mid-Career
- Houston
Median home price: $140,400
Median rental price (2BR): $936
Unemployment: 6.2% - San Antonio
Median home price: $131,200
Median rental price (2BR): $913
Unemployment: 6.0% - Santa Ana, Calif.
Median home price: $590,500
Median rental price (2BR): $1,761
Unemployment: 6.2% - Baltimore
Median home price: $228,100
Median rental price (2BR): $1,207
Unemployment: 6.8% - Austin, Texas
Median home price: $201,400
Median rental price (2BR): $1,098
Unemployment: 5.2% - Bethesda, Md.
Median home price: $374,700
Median rental price (2BR): $1,572
Unemployment: 5.2% - Cincinnati
Median home price: $129,200
Median rental price (2BR): $781
Unemployment: 7.1% - New York
Median home price: $525,400
Median rental price (2BR): $1,451
Unemployment: 8.3% - Fort Worth, Texas
Median home price: $134,100
Median rental price (2BR): $969
Unemployment: 6.1% - Pittsburgh
Median home price: $113,500
Median rental price (2BR): $799
Unemployment: 6.8%
Military Retirement
- San Antonio
Median home price: $131,200
Median rental price (2BR): $913
Unemployment: 6.0% - Austin, Texas
Median home price: $201,400
Median rental price (2BR): $1,098
Unemployment: 5.2% - Madison, Wis.
Median home price: $198,500
Median rental price (2BR): $894
Unemployment: 4.8% - Harrisburg, Pa.
Median home price: $154,100
Median rental price (2BR): $842
Unemployment: 6.5% - Cincinnati
Median home price: $129,200
Median rental price (2BR): $781
Unemployment: 7.1% - Orlando, Fla.
Median home price: $149,500
Median rental price (2BR): $1,010
Unemployment: 6.9% - Wichita, Kan.
Median home price: $123,600
Median rental price (2BR): $773
Unemployment: 6.2% - Gainesville, Fla.
Median home price: $127,500
Median rental price (2BR): $859
Unemployment: 5.5% - Albany, N.Y.
Median home price: $188,900
Median rental price (2BR): $933
Unemployment: 6.4% - Nashville, Tenn.
Median home price: $170,100
Median rental price (2BR): $883
Unemployment: 6.5%
Find the Right Veteran Job
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