Air Force West Texas / Abilene

Moving to Dyess Air Force Base

Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Abilene, Texas.

Also known as: Dyess AFB

$1,872 E-5 BAH / month
Branch
Air Force
Personnel
5,000 +
Nearest city
Abilene, TX
Cost of living
Moderate

Dyess Air Force Base, in Abilene, West Texas, flies the B-1 bomber and C-130J airlifters. Families PCSing here settle in Abilene, wrapped around the base, drawn by very low home prices, no state income tax, and the well-regarded Wylie school district in a friendly West Texas city.

Last updated: 2026-07-19

Should you live on base or off base at Dyess Air Force Base?

On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Abilene wraps around the base, with the south side and the Wylie school district drawing families for schools and newer homes, while central and north Abilene offer the lowest prices. Texas has no state income tax and Abilene is very affordable, so buying with a VA loan is common.

Where do military families live near Dyess Air Force Base?

Families PCSing to Dyess Air Force Base most often settle in South Abilene / Wylie ISD, Central Abilene, Tye / West. The table below shows typical rents, home prices, and drive time to the gate for each.

Area3-bed rentHome pricesTo gateNotes
South Abilene / Wylie ISD $1,150-$1,600 $230k-$330k 15-25 min Newer homes and the well-regarded Wylie schools; family favorite.
Central Abilene $950-$1,350 $170k-$260k 10-20 min Most inventory and lower prices near the base.
Tye / West $900-$1,300 $160k-$240k 5-15 min Small-town option right by the base to the west.

Rent and home-price ranges are typical local market estimates as of 2026-07-19, not official listings. See our methodology.

How much is 2026 BAH at Dyess Air Force Base?

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Dyess Air Force Base is set by the TX270 (Abilene/Dyess AFB, TX) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.

Pay gradeWith dependentsWithout dependents
E-5 $1,872 $1,545
E-7 $2,844 $2,133
O-3 $2,859 $2,475

Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), includes 2026 temporary increase, effective January 1, 2026.

Calculate BAH for any pay grade at Dyess Air Force Base →

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What schools are near Dyess Air Force Base?

SchoolLevelDistrictTown
Wylie High School High Wylie ISD Abilene
Cooper High School High Abilene ISD Abilene
Dyess Elementary Elementary Abilene ISD Dyess AFB

Dyess Air Force Base PCS FAQ

Is Abilene affordable for military families?

Very. Abilene has some of the lowest home prices in Texas, and the state has no income tax, so a housing allowance stretches a long way. The base wraps into the city for short commutes, and the Wylie school district draws families to the south side. Many families buy rather than rent here.

Why did Dyess AFB get a BAH increase for 2026?

The Abilene/Dyess area (military housing area TX270) received a temporary 2026 BAH increase in response to local housing-market changes. The rates shown here reflect that increase. Even with it, Abilene remains an affordable market, so buying with a VA loan is realistic for most ranks.

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