Military Retirement in Wyoming
Complete 2026 Tax Guide for Veterans
NO State Income Tax
The Cowboy State - Keep 100% of Your Retirement
Quick Facts: Wyoming for Military Retirees
Wyoming's No Income Tax Advantage
Wyoming is one of only 9 states with NO state income tax. This provides massive savings for military retirees:
E-7 at 20 Years
Save $2,500+/year vs 5% tax state
O-5 at 20 Years
Save $4,000+/year vs 5% tax state
Over 20 Years
$50,000-$100,000+ lifetime savings
Wyoming Military Retirement Tax Overview
Wyoming has NO state income tax of any kind. This means all income - military retirement, Social Security, civilian wages, investment income - is 100% tax-free at the state level. Wyoming has never had an income tax and constitutionally prohibits one.
| Income Type | Tax Treatment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Military Retirement Pay | 100% Tax-Free | No state income tax |
| VA Disability Compensation | Tax-Free | Also protected by federal law |
| Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) | Tax-Free | No state income tax |
| Social Security | Tax-Free | No state income tax |
| Civilian Employment | Tax-Free | No state income tax |
| Investment Income | Tax-Free | No capital gains tax either |
Military Installations in Wyoming
Wyoming is home to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, one of the nation's three nuclear ICBM bases and the oldest continuously active military installation in the Air Force.
F.E. Warren Air Force Base
Cheyenne, Wyoming
- • 90th Missile Wing - Minuteman III ICBMs
- • 20th Air Force Headquarters
- • One of three nuclear missile bases in US
- • 4,000+ military and civilian personnel
- • Full commissary and exchange
- • Oldest continuously active AF installation
- • Historic brick buildings (1867)
Wyoming National Guard
Statewide
- • Camp Guernsey (major training center)
- • 153rd Airlift Wing (Cheyenne)
- • C-130 Hercules operations
- • Multiple armories statewide
- • Guard/Reserve opportunities
Camp Guernsey
Guernsey, Wyoming
- • Wyoming National Guard training center
- • Used by units nationwide
- • 72,000+ acres
- • Live-fire ranges
- • Maneuver training areas
Nearby Installations
Within driving distance
- • Fort Collins VA (1 hour from Cheyenne)
- • Buckley SFB, CO (2 hours)
- • Peterson SFB, CO (3 hours)
- • Access to Colorado military community
Cost of Living in Wyoming
Wyoming offers a cost of living below the national average with no income tax. Housing is affordable, and the combination of low taxes and reasonable costs makes retirement income go further.
| Category | Wyoming | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Cost of Living | 96 (4% below) | 100 |
| Median Home Price | $320,000 | $420,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.57% | 1.07% |
| State Income Tax | 0% - NONE | ~5% |
Best Wyoming Cities for Military Retirees
Cheyenne
State Capital, F.E. Warren AFB
- • Adjacent to F.E. Warren AFB
- • State capital with amenities
- • Cheyenne VA Medical Center
- • 1 hour to Fort Collins, CO
- • 2 hours to Denver
- • Frontier Days rodeo
Casper
Second Largest City
- • Central Wyoming location
- • VA Community-Based Clinic
- • Outdoor recreation hub
- • More affordable than Cheyenne
- • Mountain and prairie access
Sheridan
Bighorn Mountains
- • VA Medical Center
- • Beautiful mountain setting
- • Western heritage town
- • Historic downtown
- • Excellent hunting/fishing
Jackson Hole
Teton Mountains
- • World-class skiing
- • Gateway to Yellowstone/Tetons
- • Very high cost of living
- • Resort community
- • Limited for everyday living
VA Healthcare in Wyoming
Wyoming is served by the VA VISN 19 Rocky Mountain Network. Despite the state's sparse population, VA services are available throughout with several facilities.
VA Medical Centers
- Cheyenne VA Medical Center - Primary facility
- Sheridan VA Medical Center - Full service
Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
- • Casper
- • Gillette
- • Riverton
- • Rock Springs
- • Evanston
- • Afton
Note: Veterans in southern Wyoming also have access to Colorado VA facilities including the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora (2 hours from Cheyenne).
Pros & Cons of Retiring in Wyoming
✅ Pros
- ✓ NO state income tax
- ✓ All retirement income 100% tax-free
- ✓ Very low property taxes (0.57%)
- ✓ Affordable cost of living
- ✓ Active-duty base with full services
- ✓ World-class outdoor recreation
- ✓ Yellowstone and Grand Teton access
- ✓ Low crime, safe communities
- ✓ Wide open spaces, natural beauty
❌ Cons
- ✗ Very cold, harsh winters
- ✗ Sparse population (580,000 total)
- ✗ Limited shopping and amenities
- ✗ Long distances between cities
- ✗ Limited healthcare specialists
- ✗ Small job market
- ✗ Isolated from major metro areas
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wyoming tax military retirement pay?
No. Wyoming has NO state income tax at all. All military retirement pay, civilian wages, Social Security, and investment income are 100% tax-free at the state level.
How much can I save with no income tax?
Significant amounts. An E-7 retiree saves $2,500+/year compared to a 5% income tax state. An O-5 saves $4,000+/year. Over a 20+ year retirement, savings can exceed $50,000-$100,000.
What about the harsh winters?
Wyoming winters are cold and windy, especially on the eastern plains. Cheyenne averages 60" of snow annually. However, the state gets 300+ days of sunshine. Many retirees embrace winter activities or travel south during the coldest months.
What property tax benefits do Wyoming veterans receive?
Wyoming offers property tax exemptions of $3,000-$6,000 assessed value for disabled veterans. The state already has very low property taxes (0.57% average), among the lowest in the nation.
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