Moving to Keesler Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Biloxi, Mississippi.
Also known as: Keesler AFB
Keesler Air Force Base, in Biloxi on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, is a major technical training center. Families PCSing here settle in Biloxi right outside the gate or the nearby communities of Ocean Springs, Gulfport, and D’Iberville, drawn by the Gulf beaches and an affordable coastal market.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Biloxi wraps around the gate with the most inventory, Ocean Springs to the east is the family favorite for its schools and charm, and Gulfport and D’Iberville offer more value and newer homes. Gulf Coast prices are affordable, so buying with a VA loan is common.
Where military families live near Keesler Air Force Base
Families PCSing to Keesler Air Force Base most often settle in Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Gulfport / D’Iberville. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | $1,300-$1,800 | $220k-$320k | 5-15 min | Right outside the gate; most inventory and shortest commute. |
| Ocean Springs | $1,400-$1,950 | $260k-$380k | 15-25 min | Charming town with top schools east of the bay; family favorite. |
| Gulfport / D’Iberville | $1,250-$1,750 | $210k-$310k | 15-25 min | More value and newer homes to the west and north. |
2026 BAH near Keesler Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Keesler Air Force Base is set by the MS168 (Gulfport, MS) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,602 | $1,365 |
| E-7 | $1,770 | $1,509 |
| O-3 | $2,040 | $1,623 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Keesler Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Springs High School | High | Ocean Springs Schools | Ocean Springs |
| Biloxi High School | High | Biloxi Public Schools | Biloxi |
| Gorenflo Elementary | Elementary | Biloxi Public Schools | Biloxi |
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Where do most families live near Keesler AFB?
Biloxi, right outside the gate, has the most housing and the shortest commute. Ocean Springs, across the bay to the east, is the family favorite for its charm and schools, about 15 to 25 minutes away. Gulfport and D’Iberville offer more value and newer homes to the west and north.
Is the Mississippi Gulf Coast affordable?
Yes. Biloxi, Gulfport, and the surrounding coast have home prices below the national average, so buying with a VA loan is realistic for most ranks. The Gulf beaches, casinos, and mild winters are a draw, and BAH set to the local market typically supports a mortgage in the more affordable areas.
Related bases
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida
Air ForceMaxwell Air Force Base
Montgomery, Alabama
Side-by-side comparisons: Keesler Air Force Base vs Naval Air Station PensacolaKeesler Air Force Base vs Maxwell Air Force Base
More: Air Force bases · Bases in Mississippi