Moving to Dyess Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Abilene, Texas.
Also known as: Dyess AFB
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
On-base vs off-base housing
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 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.
| Area | 3-bed rent | Home prices | To gate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
2026 BAH near 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 grade | With dependents | Without 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.
Schools near Dyess Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wylie High School | High | Wylie ISD | Abilene |
| Cooper High School | High | Abilene ISD | Abilene |
| Dyess Elementary | Elementary | Abilene ISD | Dyess AFB |
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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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