Air Force Mississippi Gulf Coast

Moving to Keesler Air Force Base

Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Biloxi, Mississippi.

Also known as: Keesler AFB

$1,602 E-5 BAH / month
Branch
Air Force
Personnel
12,000 +
Nearest city
Biloxi, MS
Cost of living
Low

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

Should you live on base or off base at Keesler Air Force Base?

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 do 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.

Area3-bed rentHome pricesTo gateNotes
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.

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 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 gradeWith dependentsWithout 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.

Calculate BAH for any pay grade at Keesler Air Force Base →

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What schools are near Keesler Air Force Base?

SchoolLevelDistrictTown
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

Keesler Air Force Base PCS FAQ

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.

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More: Air Force bases · Bases in Mississippi