Best cities for a military
The best cities for militaries are Fort Wayne, IN, Madison, WI, and Anchorage, AK, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for militaries vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for militaries in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a military or considering a move, this list of the best cities for militaries to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for militaries. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a military. While the absolute best city for militaries is Fort Wayne, IN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for militaries in 2024.
If you're looking for a military job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for militaries in 2025
1. Fort Wayne, IN
Total military jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $56,561 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $112,000 Location quotient: 1.94 2. Madison, WI
Total military jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $54,031 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $102,000 Location quotient: 1.25 3. Anchorage, AK
Total military jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $81,158 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $168,000 Location quotient: 2.23 4. Buffalo, NY
Total military jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $61,001 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 1.10 5. San Diego, CA
Total military jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $61,656 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 1.30 6. Indianapolis, IN
Total military jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $52,981 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 1.15 7. San Francisco, CA
Total military jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $65,003 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $148,000 Location quotient: 0.34 8. Jersey City, NJ
Total military jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $63,739 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $140,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. New York, NY
Total military jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $63,776 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $140,000 Location quotient: 0.24 10. Newark, NJ
Total military jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $63,705 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $140,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for militaries
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Madison, WI
- Anchorage, AK
- Buffalo, NY
- San Diego, CA
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Jersey City, NJ
- New York, NY
- Newark, NJ
- (1 military jobs)
- (2 military jobs)
- (1 military jobs)
- (1 military jobs)
- (7 military jobs)
- (4 military jobs)
- (3 military jobs)
- (0 military jobs)
- (7 military jobs)
- (0 military jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a military
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Wayne, IN | $56,561 | $28,000 | 264,488 | 1 |
| 2 | Madison, WI | $54,031 | $28,000 | 252,551 | 2 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $81,158 | $39,000 | 298,192 | 1 |
| 4 | Buffalo, NY | $61,001 | $28,000 | 256,902 | 1 |
| 5 | San Diego, CA | $61,656 | $28,000 | 1,406,630 | 7 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $52,981 | $26,000 | 855,164 | 4 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $65,003 | $28,000 | 870,887 | 3 |
| 8 | Jersey City, NJ | $63,739 | $28,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 9 | New York, NY | $63,776 | $28,000 | 8,537,673 | 7 |
| 10 | Newark, NJ | $63,705 | $28,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 11 | Los Angeles, CA | $63,055 | $28,000 | 3,976,322 | 5 |
| 12 | Brookhaven, NY | $64,039 | $28,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 13 | Islip, NY | $63,996 | $28,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 14 | Oyster Bay, NY | $63,899 | $28,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 15 | Hempstead, NY | $63,877 | $28,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 16 | San Jose, CA | $64,940 | $28,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 17 | Fremont, CA | $64,813 | $28,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 18 | Mesa, AZ | $50,766 | $23,000 | 484,587 | 1 |
| 19 | Oakland, CA | $64,794 | $28,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 20 | Bakersfield, CA | $63,671 | $28,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 21 | Fresno, CA | $63,501 | $28,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 22 | Long Beach, CA | $62,800 | $28,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 23 | Anaheim, CA | $62,636 | $28,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 24 | Santa Ana, CA | $62,568 | $28,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 25 | Virginia Beach, VA | $53,958 | $25,000 | 452,602 | 10 |
| 26 | Philadelphia, PA | $51,165 | $23,000 | 1,567,872 | 1 |
| 27 | Irvine, CA | $62,468 | $28,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 28 | Milwaukee, WI | $55,727 | $29,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 29 | Riverside, CA | $62,280 | $28,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 30 | Norfolk, VA | $53,714 | $25,000 | 245,115 | 2 |
| 31 | Winston-Salem, NC | $46,472 | $22,000 | 242,203 | 1 |
| 32 | Chula Vista, CA | $61,555 | $28,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 33 | Phoenix, AZ | $50,871 | $23,000 | 1,615,017 | 4 |
| 34 | Detroit, MI | $45,429 | $22,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 35 | Cleveland, OH | $46,116 | $22,000 | 385,809 | 1 |
| 36 | Las Vegas, NV | $43,737 | $19,000 | 632,912 | 5 |
| 37 | Lincoln, NE | $44,874 | $23,000 | 280,364 | 2 |
| 38 | San Antonio, TX | $41,283 | $19,000 | 1,492,510 | 8 |
| 39 | Raleigh, NC | $48,067 | $22,000 | 458,880 | 1 |
| 40 | Stockton, CA | $63,304 | $27,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 41 | Glendale, AZ | $50,922 | $23,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 42 | Albuquerque, NM | $39,420 | $18,000 | 559,277 | 3 |
| 43 | Chandler, AZ | $50,839 | $23,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 44 | Gilbert, AZ | $50,802 | $23,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 45 | Columbus, OH | $42,571 | $21,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 46 | Durham, NC | $48,091 | $22,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 47 | Sacramento, CA | $61,425 | $27,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 48 | Scottsdale, AZ | $50,740 | $23,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 49 | Pittsburgh, PA | $46,905 | $22,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 50 | Tucson, AZ | $50,834 | $24,000 | 530,706 | - |
Highest paying cities for militaries
| Rank | City | Avg. military salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Clara, CA | $65,015 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $63,776 |
| 3 | Newark, NJ | $63,705 |
| 4 | Bangor, ME | $54,252 |
| 5 | Hampton, VA | $54,031 |
| 6 | La Crosse, WI | $52,750 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $50,871 |
| 8 | Frederick, MD | $48,698 |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $45,429 |
| 10 | Mason City, IA | $45,059 |
| 11 | Redmond, WA | $44,458 |
| 12 | Leavenworth, KS | $43,538 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $43,504 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $40,891 |
| 15 | Chesterfield, MO | $39,003 |
| 16 | Clovis, NM | $38,285 |
| 17 | Tampa, FL | $36,537 |
| 18 | Clarksville, TN | $35,216 |
| 19 | Marietta, GA | $34,883 |
| 20 | Fort Smith, AR | $34,019 |
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Updated January 8, 2025