Which state is better for veterans — Maine or Delaware?
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 Delaware taxes military retirement pay (delaware allows military retirees to exclude up to $12,500 of pension income (age 60+) and offers additional exclusions for younger retirees as of recent legislation.). On property, Maine offers a partial property tax reduction, and Delaware 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. Delaware's is the Delaware National Guard State Tuition Assistance — Up to 100% tuition assistance at Delaware state institutions for Guard members; education benefits also available for children of deceased Delaware veterans through the state's Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans program.
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).Delaware hosts 1 including Dover AFB.
Climate and lifestyle
Maine: Cold continental climate with long snowy winters and short mild summers. Delaware: Mild mid-Atlantic climate with four moderate seasons.