Moving to NAS Whidbey Island
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Oak Harbor, Washington.
Also known as: Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, on scenic Whidbey Island in Puget Sound north of Seattle, is the Navy’s home for EA-18G Growler electronic-attack squadrons. Families PCSing here settle in Oak Harbor right by the base or Coupeville and Anacortes, in a beautiful island market with no state income tax.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families given the island setting, with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Oak Harbor wraps around the base with the most inventory and best value, Coupeville offers a small historic town with strong schools, and Anacortes (just across the bridge on the mainland) provides more options. Washington has no state income tax; island prices run above the national average.
Where military families live near NAS Whidbey Island
Families PCSing to NAS Whidbey Island most often settle in Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Anacortes. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Harbor | $1,700-$2,300 | $420k-$560k | 5-15 min | Right by the base; most inventory and best value on the island. |
| Coupeville | $1,800-$2,400 | $450k-$600k | 15-25 min | Small historic town with strong schools south of the base. |
| Anacortes | $1,850-$2,500 | $470k-$640k | 25-40 min | More options across the bridge on the mainland to the north. |
2026 BAH near NAS Whidbey Island
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at NAS Whidbey Island is set by the WA312 (Whidbey Island, WA) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,073 | $1,905 |
| E-7 | $2,877 | $2,157 |
| O-3 | $3,105 | $2,499 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near NAS Whidbey Island
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Harbor High School | High | Oak Harbor School District | Oak Harbor |
| Coupeville High School | High | Coupeville School District | Coupeville |
| Crescent Harbor Elementary | Elementary | Oak Harbor School District | Oak Harbor |
Get free quotes for your PCS move to NAS Whidbey Island
Compare movers, storage, auto transport, and insurance near Oak Harbor. Free, no obligation.
Get my free quotesNAS Whidbey Island PCS FAQ
What is it like living on Whidbey Island?
It is scenic and somewhat remote. Whidbey Island sits in Puget Sound north of Seattle, reached by bridge or ferry, with a mild marine climate in a rain shadow that keeps it drier than much of the region. Oak Harbor covers day-to-day needs, and Seattle is a couple hours away for big-city trips.
Where do most families live near NAS Whidbey Island?
Oak Harbor, right by the base, has the most inventory and the best value on the island, making it the default. Coupeville offers a small historic town with strong schools to the south. Anacortes, across the bridge on the mainland, gives families more options for a longer commute of 25 to 40 minutes.
Related bases
Side-by-side comparisons: NAS Whidbey Island vs Naval Base KitsapNAS Whidbey Island vs Joint Base Lewis-McChord
More: Navy bases · Bases in Washington