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

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.

The Best and Worst Cities for VA Loan Accessibility

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.

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.