Moving to Hurlburt Field
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Mary Esther, Florida.
Also known as: Hurlburt
Hurlburt Field, on Florida’s Emerald Coast near Fort Walton Beach, is the headquarters of Air Force Special Operations Command. Families PCSing here settle in Fort Walton Beach, Navarre, or Mary Esther, sharing the white-sand-beach market with nearby Eglin, drawn by no state income tax and coastal living.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther sit closest to the gate, Navarre to the east is a family favorite for its schools and beaches, and Crestview inland offers the lowest prices. As part of the Emerald Coast, prices run higher than inland Florida panhandle bases, but there is no state income tax.
Where military families live near Hurlburt Field
Families PCSing to Hurlburt Field most often settle in Fort Walton Beach / Mary Esther, Navarre, Crestview. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Walton Beach / Mary Esther | $1,600-$2,200 | $310k-$440k | 5-15 min | Closest to the gate with a beach-town lifestyle. |
| Navarre | $1,650-$2,300 | $330k-$470k | 15-25 min | Family favorite to the east for its schools and beaches. |
| Crestview | $1,350-$1,850 | $260k-$370k | 30-45 min | Lowest prices inland to the north. |
2026 BAH near Hurlburt Field
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Hurlburt Field is set by the FL056 (Eglin AFB, FL) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,433 | $2,157 |
| E-7 | $2,841 | $2,340 |
| O-3 | $3,399 | $2,592 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Hurlburt Field
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Walton Beach High School | High | Okaloosa County Schools | Fort Walton Beach |
| Navarre High School | High | Santa Rosa County Schools | Navarre |
| Florosa Elementary | Elementary | Okaloosa County Schools | Mary Esther |
Get free quotes for your PCS move to Hurlburt Field
Compare movers, storage, auto transport, and insurance near Mary Esther. Free, no obligation.
Get my free quotesHurlburt Field PCS FAQ
Where do most families live near Hurlburt Field?
Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther sit closest to the gate with a beach-town lifestyle. Navarre to the east is a family favorite for its schools and beaches. Crestview inland offers the lowest prices for a longer commute. Hurlburt shares the Emerald Coast housing market with nearby Eglin AFB.
Is the Emerald Coast expensive near Hurlburt Field?
It runs higher than inland Florida panhandle bases because of the white-sand beaches and strong demand, but Florida has no state income tax, which helps. Fort Walton Beach and Navarre are the popular choices, while Crestview offers the most affordable option inland for families willing to commute.
Related bases
Eglin Air Force Base
Valparaiso, Florida
NavyNaval Air Station Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida
Side-by-side comparisons: Hurlburt Field vs Eglin Air Force BaseHurlburt Field vs Naval Air Station Pensacola
More: Air Force bases · Bases in Florida