Moving to Edwards Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Lancaster, California.
Also known as: Edwards AFB
Edwards Air Force Base, on a dry lakebed in California’s Mojave Desert, is the Air Force’s flight-test center and home to test pilot school and experimental aviation. Families PCSing here live on base or in the Antelope Valley cities of Lancaster and Palmdale, in an affordable high-desert market well below coastal California prices.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Should you live on base or off base at Edwards Air Force Base?
On-base housing is popular given the base’s remote desert location, with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Rosamond and California City sit closest to the gate as small desert towns, while Lancaster and Palmdale in the Antelope Valley offer the most inventory, shopping, and schools about 40 minutes south. Antelope Valley prices are far below coastal California, so buying is common.
Where do military families live near Edwards Air Force Base?
Families PCSing to Edwards Air Force Base most often settle in Rosamond, Lancaster, Palmdale. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosamond | $1,500-$2,000 | $320k-$430k | 15-25 min | Small desert town closest to the main gate. |
| Lancaster | $1,700-$2,300 | $380k-$500k | 35-50 min | Most inventory, shopping, and schools in the Antelope Valley. |
| Palmdale | $1,750-$2,350 | $400k-$520k | 40-55 min | Newer neighborhoods and value south of Lancaster. |
Rent and home-price ranges are typical local market estimates as of 2026-07-19, not official listings. See our methodology.
How much is 2026 BAH at Edwards Air Force Base?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Edwards Air Force Base is set by the CA457 (Edwards AFB/Palmdale, CA) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,658 | $2,148 |
| E-7 | $3,195 | $2,481 |
| O-3 | $3,264 | $2,976 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Calculate BAH for any pay grade at Edwards Air Force Base →
See how Edwards Air Force Base ranks in the 2026 BAH rankings →
Get free quotes for your move to Edwards Air Force Base
Now that you know the numbers, line up movers, storage, auto transport, and insurance near Lancaster. Free, no obligation.
Get my free quotesWhat schools are near Edwards Air Force Base?
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz Hill High School | High | Antelope Valley Union HSD | Quartz Hill |
| Rosamond High School | High | Southern Kern Unified | Rosamond |
| Branch Elementary | Elementary | Muroc Joint Unified | Edwards AFB |
Edwards Air Force Base PCS FAQ
What is it like living at Edwards AFB?
It is remote high desert. Edwards sits on a dry lakebed in the Mojave, so many families live on base for the short commute, while others choose Rosamond nearby or the larger Antelope Valley cities of Lancaster and Palmdale about 40 minutes south. Summers are hot and dry, with wide-open desert scenery.
Is the Antelope Valley affordable?
Yes, by California standards. Lancaster, Palmdale, and Rosamond have home prices far below coastal California, so buying with a VA loan is realistic for most ranks. The high-desert location keeps prices down, and BAH set to the local market typically supports a mortgage in the valley cities.
Related bases
Nellis Air Force Base
Las Vegas, Nevada
Marine CorpsMarine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
Twentynine Palms, California
Side-by-side comparisons: Edwards Air Force Base vs Nellis Air Force BaseEdwards Air Force Base vs Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
More: Air Force bases · Bases in California