Moving to MCAS Miramar
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to San Diego, California.
Also known as: Miramar, Fightertown
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in northern San Diego, is the West Coast hub for Marine aviation and the base famously known as "Fightertown." Families PCSing here settle in Mira Mesa and the surrounding suburbs, in the expensive San Diego market where strong schools in Poway and Scripps Ranch are a major draw.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing is in demand given San Diego prices, with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Mira Mesa sits right by the station with the most inventory, Scripps Ranch and Poway to the north draw families for their top schools at higher prices, and Santee to the east offers relatively more value. High costs make renting common, though buying is workable with a dual income.
Where military families live near MCAS Miramar
Families PCSing to MCAS Miramar most often settle in Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch / Poway, Santee. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mira Mesa | $2,700-$3,600 | $750k-$950k | 5-15 min | Right by the station with the most inventory and value. |
| Scripps Ranch / Poway | $3,000-$4,000 | $850k-$1.2M | 10-20 min | Top schools to the north at a premium; family favorite. |
| Santee | $2,600-$3,400 | $700k-$880k | 20-30 min | Relatively more value to the east. |
2026 BAH near MCAS Miramar
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at MCAS Miramar is set by the CA038 (San Diego, CA) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $3,975 | $3,147 |
| E-7 | $4,446 | $3,678 |
| O-3 | $4,518 | $4,248 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near MCAS Miramar
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scripps Ranch High School | High | San Diego Unified | San Diego |
| Del Norte High School | High | Poway Unified | San Diego |
| Hage Elementary | Elementary | San Diego Unified | San Diego |
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Where do most families live near MCAS Miramar?
Mira Mesa, right by the station, has the most inventory and the best value nearby. Scripps Ranch and Poway to the north are family favorites for their top schools, though prices are higher. Santee to the east offers relatively more value. San Diego is expensive, so on-base housing is in demand.
Are the schools good near MCAS Miramar?
Yes, notably. The Poway Unified and San Diego Unified schools around Scripps Ranch and Poway are among the best-regarded in the region, which is a major draw for families despite the higher home prices. Mira Mesa offers more affordable options closer to the station with solid schools.
Related bases
Side-by-side comparisons: MCAS Miramar vs Naval Base San DiegoMCAS Miramar vs Camp Pendleton