Moving to Fort Bliss
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to El Paso, Texas.
Fort Bliss, on the northeast edge of El Paso, Texas, is one of the largest Army installations by land area and home to the 1st Armored Division. PCSing families settle mostly in East and Northeast El Paso or Horizon City, where low desert-Southwest home prices and no Texas state income tax make buying with a VA loan common.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-post housing is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities with several villages, though larger homes carry waitlists. Off-post, Northeast and East El Paso put families closest to the gates, while Horizon City offers newer construction. El Paso is one of the more affordable major-metro housing markets, and Texas has no state income tax.
Where military families live near Fort Bliss
Families PCSing to Fort Bliss most often settle in Northeast El Paso, East El Paso, Horizon City. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast El Paso | $1,100-$1,600 | $180k-$270k | 5-15 min | Closest civilian area to the main cantonment; heavy military renter base. |
| East El Paso | $1,250-$1,800 | $220k-$330k | 15-25 min | Newer master-planned neighborhoods and the most retail; popular with families buying. |
| Horizon City | $1,300-$1,850 | $230k-$340k | 25-35 min | Newest construction and larger lots, quieter and slightly farther out. |
2026 BAH near Fort Bliss
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Fort Bliss is set by the TX279 (El Paso, TX) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,809 | $1,437 |
| E-7 | $2,172 | $1,668 |
| O-3 | $2,202 | $2,022 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Fort Bliss
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pebble Hills High School | High | Socorro ISD | El Paso |
| Hurshel Antwine School | K-12 | Ysleta ISD | El Paso |
| Hueco Elementary | Elementary | Clint ISD | Horizon City |
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Start your PCS checklistFort Bliss PCS FAQ
Is El Paso affordable for military families at Fort Bliss?
Yes. El Paso is one of the more affordable major metros in the country, with home prices well below the national average and no Texas state income tax. That combination makes buying with a VA loan realistic even for junior enlisted families, and a housing allowance often covers a mortgage on a solid home.
Where do most families live near Fort Bliss?
Northeast El Paso sits closest to the main gates and has the heaviest military renter base. East El Paso offers newer master-planned neighborhoods and the most shopping. Horizon City, about 25 to 35 minutes out, has the newest construction and larger lots for families who want more space.
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