Which state is better for veterans — New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire 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, New Hampshire offers a partial property tax reduction, and California offers a partial property tax reduction.
If you have school-age children
New Hampshire's headline program is the New Hampshire Tuition Waiver for Children of Veterans — Free tuition at NH state colleges/universities for children of NH veterans who died from service-connected causes, MIA, POW, or are 100% disabled. 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. New Hampshire hosts 2 significant installation(s) including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (ME/NH border), NH ARNG installations.California hosts 8 including Camp Pendleton, MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, Naval Base San Diego.
Climate and lifestyle
New Hampshire: Cold New England climate with snowy winters and warm summers; outstanding outdoor recreation. California: Climate varies dramatically — Mediterranean coast, hot Central Valley, alpine Sierra Nevada, desert south.