In this article, we look at the top five states where the US military spends the most money. You can read about the surge in defense expenditure across the world, including in the United States, and its impact on the defense industry by heading over to the Top 20 States Where the US Military Spends the Most Money, where we have also shed light on the US Air Force’s ongoing program to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet.
5. New York
Total Defense Spending in State: $28.1 billion
Share of Overall DoD Spending: 5.03%
We begin our list with New York. The state is home to 17 military installations, according to a report released by the Department of Defense (DoD) in September last year. More than $28 billion was spent in New York in 2022, of which $24.5 billion was spent on DoD contracts, while $2.9 billion went into payrolls. On the other hand, $711 million were incurred on grants. New York’s defense spending per resident is $1,430.
4. Florida
Total Defense Spending in State: $30.2 billion
Share of Overall DoD Spending: 5.41%
Next up is Florida, where an estimated $30.2 billion were on defense in 2022, which represented 5.41% of the DoD’s overall spending in the United States. More than 70% of the amount went into DoD contracts in the state, while the remaining was expensed on DoD grants and payroll. The defense spending per resident in the state of Florida is $1,359.
3. California
Total Defense Spending in State: $56.2 billion
Share of Overall DoD Spending: 10.06%
California is in third spot, with over $56 billion spent on military expenditure in the state in 2022. $38.1 billion of this amount went into DoD contracts, while $17.2 billion were expensed on payrolls. Another $867 million were spent on DoD grants. California hosts around 50 military installations, according to the DoD.
2.Texas
Total Defense Spending in State: $58 billion
Share of Overall DoD Spending: 10.38%
Texas received $58 billion in military spending from the DoD in 2022, which went into meeting DoD defense contracts, payrolls, and construction or upgrades of military installations in the state. Military spending per resident in Texas was measured at $1,932. It is second on the list of states where the US military spends the most money.
1. Virginia
Total Defense Spending in State: $62.7 billion
Share of Overall DoD Spending: 11.22%
Virginia tops the list of states in the United States that received the highest DoD spending, with a whopping $62.7 billion incurred on military spending in the state in 2022. Virginia is home to the Pentagon, Naval Station Norfolk, and Newport News Shipbuilding. The military spending per resident in the state was measured at $7,223 during the year. Of the total amount spent in 2022, $42 billion (67%) was expensed on DoD contracts in the state.
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