Moving to Vandenberg Space Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Lompoc, California.
Also known as: Vandenberg SFB, Vandenberg AFB
Vandenberg Space Force Base, on California’s central coast, is the West Coast’s primary spaceport for satellite launches and missile tests. Families PCSing here settle in Lompoc right outside the gate or Santa Maria and Orcutt to the north, in a mild coastal market that is pricey by national standards but affordable for California.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families given the coastal setting, with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Lompoc sits right outside the gate with the most affordable inventory, Santa Maria to the north is a larger town with more amenities and value, and Orcutt offers better schools. Prices are high nationally but moderate for coastal California, so both renting and buying are common.
Where military families live near Vandenberg Space Force Base
Families PCSing to Vandenberg Space Force Base most often settle in Lompoc, Santa Maria, Orcutt. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lompoc | $1,900-$2,600 | $420k-$560k | 5-15 min | Right outside the gate with the most affordable inventory. |
| Santa Maria | $2,000-$2,700 | $450k-$590k | 20-35 min | Larger town with more amenities and value to the north. |
| Orcutt | $2,200-$2,900 | $500k-$650k | 25-35 min | Better schools in a quieter suburb near Santa Maria. |
2026 BAH near Vandenberg Space Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Vandenberg Space Force Base is set by the CA026 (Vandenberg SFB, CA) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $3,333 | $2,778 |
| E-7 | $3,693 | $3,162 |
| O-3 | $3,780 | $3,528 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Vandenberg Space Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Righetti High School | High | Santa Maria Joint Union | Santa Maria |
| Cabrillo High School | High | Lompoc Unified | Lompoc |
| Olga Reed Elementary | Elementary | Lompoc Unified | Lompoc |
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What is the cost of living like at Vandenberg?
It is high by national standards but moderate for coastal California. Lompoc near the gate is the most affordable option, while Santa Maria and Orcutt to the north offer more amenities and better schools at higher prices. BAH is set to the local market, and the mild year-round coastal climate is a major draw.
Where do most families live near Vandenberg SFB?
Lompoc, right outside the gate, has the most affordable homes and the shortest commute. Santa Maria, a larger town about 20 to 35 minutes north, offers more shopping and value. Orcutt, a quieter suburb near Santa Maria, is popular with families for its better schools despite the longer drive.
Related bases
Buckley Space Force Base
Aurora, Colorado
Air ForceTravis Air Force Base
Fairfield, California
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More: Space Force bases · Bases in California