Military Times compared 581 places, as designated by the U.S. Census bureau, on their overall median incomes, unemployment rates and costs of living. Cost of living accounted for half the calculation that determined this ranking, with median income and unemployment each accounting for one quarter.
1. Carmel, Indiana
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 82.4%
Median income: $50,647
Veteran median income: $55,227
Unemployment rate: 3.2%
2. Pearland, Texas
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 90.1%
Median income: $50,080
Veteran median income: $64,644
Unemployment rate: 3.1%
3. League City, Texas
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 90.1%
Median income: $41,870
Veteran median income: $77,844
Unemployment rate: 2.5%
4. Sugar Land, Texas
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 90.1%
Median income: $47,036
Veteran median income: $41,810
Unemployment rate: 3.7%
5. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 64.8%
Median income: $36,032
Veteran median income: $48,087
Unemployment rate: 4.5%
6. The Woodlands, Texas
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 90.1%
Median income: $62,918
Veteran median income: $71,596
Unemployment rate: 4.9%
7. Hoover, Alabama
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 80.6%
Median income: $37,802
Veteran median income: $48,733
Unemployment rate: 3.5%
8. Cary, North Carolina
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 72.6%
Median income: $40,344
Veteran median income: $59,003
Unemployment rate: 4.3%
9. O’Fallon, Missouri
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 72.3%
Median income: $40,770
Veteran median income: $45,405
Unemployment rate: 4.1%
10. Meridian, Idaho
Cost of living as percentage of U.S. median: 80.1%
Median income: $31,124
Veteran median income: $34,251
Unemployment rate: 2.4%
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and Council for Community and Economic Research
