Which state is better for veterans — Missouri or California?
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. Missouri does not tax military retirement pay, while California taxes military retirement pay (california taxes military retirement pay as ordinary income — one of the few states that still does.). On property, Missouri offers a partial property tax reduction, and California offers a partial property tax reduction.
If you have school-age children
Missouri's headline program is the Wartime Veteran's Survivor Grant Program — Up to $6,000/year of tuition/fees at Missouri public colleges for children/spouses of Missouri veterans killed or disabled (80%+) from service in combat zones since Sept 11, 2001. California's is the CalVet College Fee Waiver — Waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus for qualifying dependents of disabled or deceased veterans. Multiple plans (A, B, C, D) cover different family situations.
If you're still on active duty
Proximity to a major installation matters for housing markets, healthcare options (Tricare), and post-service employment networks. Missouri hosts 2 significant installation(s) including Fort Leonard Wood, Whiteman AFB.California hosts 8 including Camp Pendleton, MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, Naval Base San Diego.
Climate and lifestyle
Missouri: Continental climate with hot humid summers and cold winters; tornado risk in spring. California: Climate varies dramatically — Mediterranean coast, hot Central Valley, alpine Sierra Nevada, desert south.