Moving to Sheppard Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Wichita Falls, Texas.
Also known as: Sheppard AFB
Sheppard Air Force Base, in Wichita Falls, North Texas, is a major technical training center and home to the international ENJJPT pilot training program. Families PCSing here settle in Wichita Falls right outside the gate or the nearby towns of Burkburnett and Iowa Park, in a very affordable market with no state income tax.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Wichita Falls wraps around the gate with the most inventory and lowest prices, Burkburnett sits close to the north with decent schools, and Iowa Park offers a small-town feel to the west. Texas has no state income tax and prices are very low, so buying with a VA loan is easy.
Where military families live near Sheppard Air Force Base
Families PCSing to Sheppard Air Force Base most often settle in Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Iowa Park. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita Falls | $900-$1,350 | $150k-$240k | 5-15 min | Right outside the gate; most inventory and lowest prices. |
| Burkburnett | $1,000-$1,400 | $170k-$260k | 5-15 min | Close to the north gate with decent schools. |
| Iowa Park | $950-$1,350 | $160k-$250k | 15-25 min | Small-town feel to the west with low prices. |
2026 BAH near Sheppard Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Sheppard Air Force Base is set by the TX288 (Wichita Fls/Sheppard AFB, TX) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,491 | $1,182 |
| E-7 | $2,190 | $1,644 |
| O-3 | $2,325 | $1,887 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Sheppard Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rider High School | High | Wichita Falls ISD | Wichita Falls |
| Burkburnett High School | High | Burkburnett ISD | Burkburnett |
| Scotland Park Elementary | Elementary | Wichita Falls ISD | Wichita Falls |
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Is Wichita Falls affordable for military families?
Very. Wichita Falls has some of the lowest home prices in Texas, and the state has no income tax, so a housing allowance stretches a long way. Buying with a VA loan is easy for most ranks, and the town wraps around the base for short commutes. Many families buy rather than rent here.
Where do most families live near Sheppard AFB?
Wichita Falls, right outside the gate, has the most housing and the lowest prices, making it the default. Burkburnett, close to the north gate, has decent schools and a small-town feel. Iowa Park, to the west, is another quiet, low-cost option. All keep commutes short given the compact area.
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