Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we may receive financial compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

The Top U.S. Cities for Buying a Home With a VA Loan [2025 Study]

Alex Miller's image
Alex Miller
Updated: 
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
The Top U.S. Cities for Buying a Home With a VA Loan [2025 Study]
Jump to Section
Table of Contents

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you’re a veteran or active-duty service member eyeing a new home with a VA loan, knowing where to buy can make all the difference. VA loans offer veterans a unique path to homeownership with favorable terms — but not all cities are equally welcoming when it comes to VA loan accessibility. From seller sentiment toward VA financing to the sheer volume of loans issued, various factors can impact how easily veterans can secure their dream homes. 

To find the most VA loan-friendly cities, we assessed the top 100 most-populated U.S. cities based on 6 factors, from seller sentiment to the government-set loan limits to the number of VA loans disbursed in 2024. Together, each factor helps develop a well-rounded view of where veterans and active-duty service members may find the best opportunities for homeownership through the VA loan program.

Advertisement

The Best and Worst Cities for VA Loan Accessibility

VA Loan Accessibility
Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Jacksonville, Florida, takes the top spot with a score of 85.9, thanks to affordable housing, a high percentage of VA-friendly listings, and robust loan issuance rates. Colorado Springs, Colorado (81.4) also stands out, ranking third overall with the most VA loans issued per 100,000 residents in 2024 at 650.2 — a stark contrast to New York City (3.9), where only 0.25 VA loans per 100,000 residents were issued, the lowest in the study. 

Cities like Dayton, Ohio (81.8), Little Rock, Arkansas (79.7), and Lakeland, Florida (79.1) similarly rank high due to affordable markets and high loan coverage ratios. These cities offer ideal opportunities for veterans to secure homes with minimal financial barriers.

Conversely, San Francisco ranks last, scoring 1.3 due to prohibitively high home prices and a lack of VA-friendly listings. Other urban centers, such as San Jose, California (2.3) and Boston (3.7), face similar issues, making it challenging for veterans to leverage their benefits. Even more surprising are cities like Austin, Texas (12.1), where growing home prices outpace loan limits, limiting access despite the city’s popularity.

The data also reveals clusters of VA-friendly cities in Florida, where Jacksonville, Palm Bay, and Daytona Beach provide veteran-friendly markets with high loan acceptance and affordable homes. However, areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York highlight how steep home prices and market competition create barriers, even for federally-backed loans.

For veterans relocating, maximizing VA loan benefits while leveraging military discounts for relocation costs, home upgrades, and services can help bridge the gap in pricier markets. Understanding these trends is crucial to navigating the home-buying process and finding the right city for long-term stability.

VA Loan Accessibility in 100 U.S. Cities

While VA loans are legally accessible in every U.S. city, local housing markets and seller preferences can affect how smoothly veterans secure financing. In some areas, competitive markets, high home prices, or seller hesitations regarding VA loan requirements — like appraisals and closing timelines — can limit access in practice. Our study highlights these regional differences to give veterans a clearer picture of where they might face challenges or find the most VA loan-friendly options.

Whether you’re comparing housing markets or planning your next move, check out this complete breakdown of the study to help you make informed decisions on your VA loan.

Advertisement

Methodology 

To rank the most accessible U.S. cities for veterans seeking VA loans, we analyzed the top 100 most-populated cities based on 6 key factors. These included the percentage of home listings accepting VA loan financing (sourced from Redfin), VA loan coverage ratio (comparing FHA loan limits to median home prices from Realtor.com), and the total volume of VA loans issued in 2024 per capita, additionally broken down by purchase, cash-out refinance, and interest rate reduction refinance loans (IRRRLs) from VA loan data. Census population data was used to calculate per-capita rankings to correct population discrepancies.

Each factor was weighted according to its influence on VA loan accessibility, and each corresponding factor score was summed to give each city a score between 0 and 100, with 100 being the highest possible accessibility score. 

Final Thoughts

VA loans provide veterans with an incredible opportunity for homeownership, but accessibility varies significantly by location. This analysis highlights the best and worst cities for veterans based on key factors like home prices, seller sentiment, and loan availability. Cities like Jacksonville, Dayton, and Colorado Springs stand out for their veteran-friendly markets, while major metropolitan hubs like San Francisco present more challenges. 

While the VA loan program is available nationwide, veterans can make informed decisions and find a home that fits their needs by understanding these trends and maximizing available resources. 

Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Alex Miller's image

About Alex Miller

Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE™

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

We Recommend

Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Offer: As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Show more
  • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Upgrade your travel experience

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© 2025 Upgraded Points™, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

DMCA.com Protection Status
Disclaimer: 

Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice.

Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site — and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position.

Advertiser Disclosure: 

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we may receive financial compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. For more information on our advertisers and how we make money, see our advertising policy here. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Editorial Disclosure: 

The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer.