Moving to MacDill Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Tampa, Florida.
Also known as: MacDill AFB
MacDill Air Force Base, on a peninsula in Tampa, Florida, hosts U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command along with KC-135 refueling operations. Families PCSing here settle in South Tampa near the gate or the more affordable suburbs of Brandon and Riverview, with no Florida state income tax.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families near the flightline, with waitlists on larger homes. Off-base, South Tampa sits closest to the gate but is pricey, while Brandon, Riverview, and Apollo Beach offer newer, more affordable suburbs across the bay. Florida has no state income tax, though Tampa Bay’s growth has pushed prices above many Gulf Coast bases.
Where military families live near MacDill Air Force Base
Families PCSing to MacDill Air Force Base most often settle in South Tampa, Brandon / Riverview, Apollo Beach. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Tampa | $2,000-$2,900 | $450k-$700k | 5-15 min | Closest to the gate with top schools, but the priciest area. |
| Brandon / Riverview | $1,700-$2,300 | $340k-$470k | 25-40 min | Newer, more affordable suburbs across the bay; family favorite. |
| Apollo Beach | $1,800-$2,500 | $360k-$520k | 25-40 min | Waterfront-adjacent newer construction south of the base. |
2026 BAH near MacDill Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at MacDill Air Force Base is set by the FL066 (Tampa, FL) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,709 | $2,187 |
| E-7 | $3,066 | $2,526 |
| O-3 | $3,081 | $2,919 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near MacDill Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.B. Plant High School | High | Hillsborough County Schools | Tampa |
| Newsome High School | High | Hillsborough County Schools | Lithia |
| Roosevelt Elementary | Elementary | Hillsborough County Schools | Tampa |
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Should I live in South Tampa or the suburbs for MacDill?
South Tampa sits closest to the gate with the shortest commute and top schools, but it is the most expensive area near the base. Brandon, Riverview, and Apollo Beach across the bay offer newer, more affordable homes for the price of a 25 to 40 minute drive. Families often trade commute for value.
Is Tampa Bay expensive for military families?
It runs higher than many Gulf Coast bases. Tampa Bay has grown quickly, pushing home prices and rents up, especially in South Tampa near MacDill. Florida’s lack of a state income tax helps, and the more affordable suburbs across the bay keep buying with a VA loan realistic for most ranks.
Related bases
Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Air ForceEglin Air Force Base
Valparaiso, Florida
Side-by-side comparisons: MacDill Air Force Base vs Naval Air Station JacksonvilleMacDill Air Force Base vs Eglin Air Force Base
More: Air Force bases · Bases in Florida