For many who call the area home, Tampa’s ranking comes as no surprise.
TAMPA, Fla. — On this Veterans Day, a new national study finds Tampa is doing more than most cities to make life better for those who’ve served.
According to a report from the financial website WalletHub, Tampa ranks second in the nation among the best cities for veterans, behind only Austin, Texas. Researchers compared the country’s 100 largest cities across 19 key metrics, including employment opportunities, income growth, housing affordability, healthcare access and community support.
The study found Tampa excels in several of those areas, ranking third for the number of VA health facilities per capita, sixth for VA benefits offices, and second in the nation for the quality of VA medical care. Analysts say that mix of opportunity and access makes the Tampa Bay area one of the most welcoming communities for veterans anywhere in the country.
For many who call the area home, the ranking comes as no surprise.
“Because they’ve got great hospitals like this one right here, and they take care of the veterans. And I love it,” said veteran Don Rice, who receives care at Bay Pines. “The service is great. The location is great.”
WalletHub analysts noted that the median annual income for veterans in Tampa is about $53,000, and it’s growing at a rate of more than 6% per year, one of the fastest increases in the country.
“It’s nice to be able to give back to the veterans after all they’ve given to our country,” Alex Johnson, a local veterans services provider, said. “We try to build relationships with community partners, providing our veterans with as much help as we can.”
At the VA’s Bay Pines campus, even employees who are veterans themselves say the ranking reflects a real sense of mission.
“I’m a veteran employee, so I take pride in what we do here,” Carlos Zayas, who works with the Department of Veterans Affairs, said. “That’s what we’re here for — to provide the best care that we can.”
Others said the region’s resources extend well beyond healthcare.
“They’ve bent over backwards for you,” veteran Happy Hill said. “Anytime you need somebody, if you’re homeless, need mental health help, surgery, or just somebody to talk to, it’s just an amazing place.”
Even those who hadn’t seen the rankings say it’s easy to understand why Tampa scored so high.
“I wasn’t aware that we were rated so high,” veteran Jack Standfast said. “But it makes sense, especially around here.”
WalletHub analysts say the best cities for veterans share key qualities: strong job markets, affordable housing, and accessible healthcare, along with something less tangible: community appreciation.
“Well, there were so many of us here. It makes it a great spot,” said veteran Lenny Swanson, who says the large military community helps foster a sense of belonging. “You get the discounts, you’re respected everywhere you go.”
Several other Florida cities also made WalletHub’s top 20, including Orlando (7th), Miami (13th) and Jacksonville (18th).