Which state is better for veterans — Maine or Arizona?
There's no universal answer; the better state depends on your priorities. Below are the factors that most often decide the question.
If you're a military retiree
Both retirement income tax and property tax matter most in retirement. Maine taxes military retirement pay (maine fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax for federal pensions including military retirement.), while Arizona does not tax military retirement pay. On property, Maine offers a partial property tax reduction, and Arizona offers a partial property tax reduction.
If you have school-age children
Maine's headline program is the Maine Veterans' Dependents Educational Benefits — Free tuition at University of Maine, Maine Community College System, and Maine Maritime Academy for spouses and children of veterans who died from service-connected causes, MIA, POW, or 100% service-connected disabled. Arizona's is the Arizona National Guard Tuition Reimbursement Program — Reimburses tuition for Arizona National Guard members at state schools. Veterans can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill at Arizona public colleges with in-state tuition under the Yellow Ribbon and federal Choice Act.
If you're still on active duty
Proximity to a major installation matters for housing markets, healthcare options (Tricare), and post-service employment networks. Maine hosts 2 significant installation(s) including Bangor ANG Base, Brunswick Landing (former NAS Brunswick).Arizona hosts 4 including Luke AFB, Davis-Monthan AFB, Fort Huachuca.
Climate and lifestyle
Maine: Cold continental climate with long snowy winters and short mild summers. Arizona: Hot desert summers and mild winters; minimal humidity. Higher elevations (Flagstaff, Prescott) offer four seasons.