HONOLULU (KHON2) — For many veterans in Hawaiʻi, life after military service can be difficult.
Even with promises of health care, housing and education assistance, some former service members struggle to find steady work or safe shelter.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates about 33,000 veterans in the United States are homeless today.
According to WalletHub’s 2025 Best and Worst Places for Veterans to Live report, Hawaiʻi’s capital did not perform well.
Honolulu ranked No. 86 out of 100 overall in cities in the United States. This is based on 19 factors of employment, economy, livability, healthcare access affordability and veteran support.
Where Honolulu stands
Honolulu earned a total score of 46.13. It ranked
- 88th in employment.
- 96th in the economy.
- 20th in quality of life.
- 69th in health.
These numbers suggest that while veterans in Honolulu may enjoy the island’s high quality of life, economic opportunity and access to employment remain challenges.
The report compared cities across the country on measures such as veteran unemployment rates, income growth and access to VA health services.
Fremont, California, ranked amongst the best cities for veterans as the state tied for first in both military skill-related jobs and low unemployment. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was amongst the worst. The city came in last in several areas that included income growth and unemployment.
Veteran conditions nationwide
Nationally, veterans face an unemployment rate of 3.1%. That’s lower than the overall population’s 4.3%.
However, economic strength varies greatly by region. The report found that Miami, Fla., reported the highest veteran income growth, while Baton Rouge ranked lowest.
Veterans in Chula Vista, Calif., experience the lowest poverty rate, while those in Detroit face the highest.
In terms of homelessness, Virginia Beach, Va., recorded the fewest homeless veterans per population, compared with San Francisco, which had the most.
What makes a city veteran-friendly
“When veterans return home from serving our nation, it’s important for them to live in a place that provides good education and employment opportunities, along with access to quality care for their physical and mental health,” said Chip Lupo, an analyst for the study. “The best cities for veterans have all these characteristics, plus added bonuses like large veteran populations for community support, plus many restaurants and entertainment venues that offer veteran discounts.”
You can click here to access the report.
For Honolulu, the results show both progress and work ahead. Quality of life may remain a bright spot, but a strong economy and expanded employment options could better serve the islands’ veterans who have already given so much to their country.
KHON2.com reached out to Hawaiʻi’s VA Pacific Islands Health Care System and Office of Veterans’ Services Hawaiʻi. We are still waiting for their response.