Moving to Laughlin Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Del Rio, Texas.
Also known as: Laughlin AFB
Laughlin Air Force Base, near Del Rio on the Texas-Mexico border, is the Air Force’s busiest pilot training base. Families PCSing here settle in Del Rio, the small border city near the base, drawn by very low home prices, no state income tax, and a warm, remote southwest Texas setting.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Should you live on base or off base at Laughlin Air Force Base?
On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, nearly everyone lives in Del Rio, which sits near the base with a range of modest neighborhoods. Del Rio is a small, very affordable border city, so buying with a VA loan is easy for most ranks, though the area is remote with limited amenities and long drives to larger cities.
Where do military families live near Laughlin Air Force Base?
Families PCSing to Laughlin Air Force Base most often settle in Del Rio, Del Rio, Del Rio. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Rio (north) | $1,050-$1,500 | $180k-$270k | 5-15 min | Closest to the base with newer neighborhoods. |
| Del Rio (central) | $950-$1,400 | $150k-$240k | 10-20 min | Most inventory and amenities in town. |
| Del Rio (outskirts) | $1,000-$1,450 | $190k-$280k | 15-25 min | Larger lots and rural properties around the city. |
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 Laughlin Air Force Base?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Laughlin Air Force Base is set by the TX278 (Laughlin AFB/Del Rio, TX) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,470 | $1,209 |
| E-7 | $1,854 | $1,392 |
| O-3 | $2,121 | $1,686 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
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Get my free quotesWhat schools are near Laughlin Air Force Base?
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Del Rio High School | High | San Felipe Del Rio CISD | Del Rio |
| Del Rio Middle School | Middle | San Felipe Del Rio CISD | Del Rio |
| North Heights Elementary | Elementary | San Felipe Del Rio CISD | Del Rio |
Laughlin Air Force Base PCS FAQ
What should families know before PCSing to Laughlin AFB?
It is a small, remote border city. Del Rio sits on the Texas-Mexico border with limited amenities and long drives to larger cities (San Antonio is about 2.5 hours east). The upside is very low home prices, no Texas state income tax, and a warm climate, which make buying with a VA loan easy for most ranks.
Where do most families live near Laughlin AFB?
Almost everyone lives in Del Rio, the small city near the base. Newer neighborhoods on the north side sit closest to the gate, while central Del Rio has the most amenities. Prices are very low and Texas has no state income tax, so buying is common during a Laughlin assignment.
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