Moving to Los Angeles Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to El Segundo, California.
Also known as: LA AFB, Space Systems Command
Los Angeles Air Force Base, in El Segundo in the South Bay of Los Angeles, is the headquarters of Space Systems Command, the hub of military space acquisition. Families PCSing here settle in the South Bay beach cities or more affordable inland areas, in one of the most expensive housing markets of any base, where renting is the norm.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing is very limited, so nearly all families live off-base in the greater Los Angeles market. El Segundo and the South Bay beach cities are convenient but extremely expensive, while inland areas like Torrance and farther south offer relatively more value. Given LA prices, most families rent, and buying typically requires a dual income or a longer commute.
Where military families live near Los Angeles Air Force Base
Families PCSing to Los Angeles Air Force Base most often settle in El Segundo, Torrance, Long Beach / South. The table below shows typical rents, home prices, and drive time to the gate for each.
| Area | 3-bed rent | Home prices | To gate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Segundo | $2,800-$3,800 | $900k-$1.4M | 5-10 min | Right by the base; convenient but among the priciest options. |
| Torrance | $2,600-$3,500 | $800k-$1.1M | 15-25 min | Strong schools and relatively more value inland in the South Bay. |
| Long Beach / South | $2,400-$3,200 | $700k-$950k | 25-40 min | More value farther south for a longer commute. |
2026 BAH near Los Angeles Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Los Angeles Air Force Base is set by the CA037 (Los Angeles, CA) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $3,882 | $3,048 |
| E-7 | $4,311 | $3,582 |
| O-3 | $4,524 | $4,074 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Los Angeles Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Segundo High School | High | El Segundo Unified | El Segundo |
| West High School | High | Torrance Unified | Torrance |
| Center Street Elementary | Elementary | El Segundo Unified | El Segundo |
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Can you afford to live near Los Angeles AFB?
It is one of the most expensive markets of any base, so most families rent. El Segundo and the South Bay beach cities are convenient but very costly, while Torrance and areas farther south offer relatively more value. Buying usually takes a dual income or a longer commute, though BAH is set high to match LA costs.
Where do most families live near LA AFB?
Nearly everyone lives off-base in the greater Los Angeles market since on-base housing is limited. El Segundo is closest but priciest. Torrance offers strong schools and relatively more value inland, and Long Beach and areas farther south provide more affordable options for a longer commute.
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More: Space Force bases · Bases in California