Which state is better for veterans — New York 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. New York does not tax military retirement pay, 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, New York offers a partial property tax reduction, and Delaware offers a partial property tax reduction.
If you have school-age children
New York's headline program is the Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) & MERIT Scholarship — New York's VTA pays full SUNY/CUNY undergraduate tuition for eligible NY veterans of combat zones. The MERIT Scholarship covers full tuition, room/board, books for children/spouses of NY service members killed/disabled from combat duty post-Aug 2, 1990. 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. New York hosts 4 significant installation(s) including West Point (USMA), Fort Drum, Watervliet Arsenal.Delaware hosts 1 including Dover AFB.
Climate and lifestyle
New York: Climate varies — humid continental upstate with snowy winters, milder mid-Atlantic conditions downstate. Delaware: Mild mid-Atlantic climate with four moderate seasons.