Navy Federal announces 2022 Best Cities After Service

Each year, more than 250,000 military members transition out of service, and choosing where to live after military service is a big decision. Navy Federal has partnered with The Mission Continues to compile a list of the 10 Best Cities After Service.

The list was first established in 2018 and revisited in 2020. This year, in addition to the 10 Best Cities After Service, Navy Federal added three new lists—best cities for military families, retired veterans and where to buy a home. In expanding the Best Cities list, Navy Federal says it found that the global COVID pandemic, inflation, evolving needs and social trends impacted the locations best suited for transitioning servicemembers and their families.

In partnership with Sperling’s BestPlaces, Navy Federal evaluated and ranked 400 U.S. cities across the country based on a variety of quality-of-life metrics (veteran community, cost of living, etc.) and determined which cities best meet the needs of transitioning servicemembers overall, and then specific to those with families, to those looking to retire, and for those looking to buy a home. The list was curated with an understanding of factors servicemembers consider when trying to decide where to live, including veteran’s average income, unemployment rates and proximity to VA hospitals and military bases.

“The expanded version of this year’s report emphasizes the diversity of cities across the U.S. that can meet the needs of transitioning servicemembers,” Clay Stackhouse, a retired Marine Corps colonel and regional outreach manager at Navy Federal, said in a statement. “This population of individuals is unique, and with today’s economic challenges, it’s more important than ever that we support servicemembers and their families as they approach this pivotal, often challenging, moment.”

The full report is available here. Click through the gallery above to see the 10 Best Cities After Service.