Massachusetts provides a supportive environment for veterans, according to a new study from Disability Denials.

The law firm compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on metrics like living costs and median veteran income using data from United States Department of Veterans Affairs and other sources. Massachusetts ranked No. 10 nationwide, while North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska took the top three spots.

Veterans in the Bay State are fully exempt from paying state taxes on military retirement pay and experience one of the lowest rates of poverty compared to the other top performing states at 6%.

They also have access to 8.6 Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics per 100,000 veterans and enjoy good air quality for 83.1% of the year.

Median veteran income in the state sits around $59,301. Despite surpassing North Dakota’s $51,844, Massachusetts’ high cost of living drove down its overall ranking.

Marc Whitehead, founder and principal attorney at Marc Whitehead & Associates, Attorneys at Law, LLP, commented, “When people leave the service, the big question is where to live, and a lot of folks pick a place for one reason, like a job offer or a tax break. The states that work best for veterans get several things right at the same time. Work is there if you want it, your pension goes further at the store and getting to a VA appointment doesn’t eat up your whole day. That everyday stuff is what decides whether someone settles in or packs up again. Look at the whole picture, talk to veterans who already live there and don’t let one number make the call for you.”