Retired U.S. Army Capt. Robert Cornicelli said that since he and his wife moved to South Carolina in 2023, he feels like he’s living and working in America’s best-kept secret.
The personal finance company WalletHub agrees, publishing a study across the 50 states and the District of Columbia that ranks the best states for military retirees. South Carolina came out on top, named the best state for military retirees in 2026. The state scored high in 28 key metrics, ranging from the number of veterans per capita, the number of Veteran’s Administration health facilities, and the availability of job opportunities for veterans.
“My wife and I chose South Carolina for many of the same reasons thousands of other veterans do—affordability, quality of life, strong communities and opportunity,” Cornicelli told Military.com. “After living here and working with veterans throughout the state, I’ve only become more convinced that it deserves its reputation as one of the best places in the country for veterans and military retirees.”
Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said in a statement on the study that the best states for military service members who are adjusting to their civilian lives are those that make that adjustment as smoothly as possible.
“South Carolina is the best state for military retirees, in part because it has many policies and programs in place to help veterans,” Lupo said.
Favorable Policies Drive Military Retirees to South Carolina
According to the study, those policies and programs include excellent VA hospitals, no tax on military pensions, preferential hiring of veterans, academic credit for military service, and veteran treatment courts, which provide treatment and mentoring in the criminal justice system.
Cornicelli said it’s the same work he’s been doing as founder of the Veteran Recovery Coalition. The organization helps connect resources to veterans who may be struggling with homelessness, housing instability, underemployment, or the challenge of transitioning to civilian life.
What I think makes South Carolina unique is the combination of opportunity and support. We have employers that actively seek veterans because they understand the value they bring to the workforce.
“Companies like Boeing, Newport News Shipbuilding, Leonardo DRS, Midtown Automotive, and many others need disciplined, mission-focused employees with leadership experience, technical skills, and a strong work ethic. And they’re actively looking for veterans to fill those roles,” he added.
The South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs also acknowledged the ranking, saying the study is proof its programs are working.
“This recognition shows that our efforts to support the veterans, service members and military families make a measurable impact,” reads a statement from the South Carolina VA. “Policies like preferential hiring for veterans, academic credit for military service, and programs for justice-involved veterans mean there is support no matter what a veteran’s next chapter looks like.”
Challenges Remain for SC Military Retirees
Still, there are challenges faced by veterans in the Palmetto State and across the country.
With more than 15 million military veterans in the U.S., experts said they often face more struggles than non-veterans, such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, as well as living with disability and homelessness.
The WalletHub study found South Carolina ranked 15th in the country for homeless veterans while having the fourth-fewest VA health facilities per number of veterans.
“In my opinion, South Carolina’s biggest challenge is not a lack of resources. It’s that those resources are often spread across dozens of organizations that don’t always communicate with one another,” Cornicelli said. “A veteran can spend days or weeks trying to figure out who to call, where to go, and which program can actually help.”
But even with some drawbacks, Cornicelli said the WalletHub study matches what he sees in his nonprofit work, and the need to connect South Carolina veterans with the help that’s available in the state.
“The reality is that most veterans don’t need another phone number,” Cornicelli said. “They need someone who can help them navigate the system and get connected to the right resources quickly. The state has the jobs, the resources, and the support network veterans need to succeed.
“But what makes South Carolina special is not just what it offers veterans, but how it welcomes them into the community and helps them build successful lives long after their military service ends.”
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