Moving to Ellsworth Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Rapid City, South Dakota.
Also known as: Ellsworth AFB
Ellsworth Air Force Base, near Rapid City in the Black Hills of South Dakota, flies the B-1 bomber and is slated to be a future B-21 Raider base. Families PCSing here settle in Box Elder right outside the gate or Rapid City, in an affordable market with no state income tax and easy access to the Black Hills.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Box Elder sits right outside the gate with the most affordable and military-focused inventory, Rapid City is the main hub with the most amenities and range of prices, and Summerset and Piedmont offer newer homes toward the Black Hills. No state income tax and moderate prices make buying common.
Where military families live near Ellsworth Air Force Base
Families PCSing to Ellsworth Air Force Base most often settle in Box Elder, Rapid City, Summerset / Piedmont. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Elder | $1,150-$1,600 | $230k-$330k | 5-10 min | Right outside the gate; most affordable and military-focused. |
| Rapid City | $1,300-$1,850 | $280k-$400k | 15-25 min | Main hub with the most amenities and range of prices. |
| Summerset / Piedmont | $1,400-$1,950 | $300k-$420k | 20-30 min | Newer homes toward the Black Hills north of the city. |
2026 BAH near Ellsworth Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Ellsworth Air Force Base is set by the SD264 (Rapid City/Ellsworth AFB, SD) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,986 | $1,545 |
| E-7 | $2,307 | $1,806 |
| O-3 | $2,475 | $2,124 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Ellsworth Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas High School | High | Douglas School District | Box Elder |
| Stevens High School | High | Rapid City Area Schools | Rapid City |
| Badger Clark Elementary | Elementary | Douglas School District | Box Elder |
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Where do most families live near Ellsworth AFB?
Box Elder, right outside the gate, has the most affordable and military-focused housing with the shortest commute. Rapid City, the main regional hub, offers the most amenities and a wide range of prices about 15 to 25 minutes away. Summerset and Piedmont to the north have newer homes toward the Black Hills.
What are the perks of being stationed at Ellsworth AFB?
South Dakota has no state income tax, which stretches take-home pay, and home prices are moderate, so buying with a VA loan is realistic. The Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and abundant outdoor recreation are right nearby. Winters are cold, but many families enjoy the affordability and access to the outdoors.
Related bases
Minot Air Force Base
Minot, North Dakota
Space ForceBuckley Space Force Base
Aurora, Colorado
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More: Air Force bases · Bases in South Dakota