Moving to MCAS Yuma
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Yuma, Arizona.
Also known as: Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, in the desert of southwest Arizona near the California and Mexico borders, is a major aviation training base with some of the best flying weather in the country. Families PCSing here settle in Yuma and the nearby Foothills area, in an affordable desert market known for extreme summer heat.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, the city of Yuma has the most inventory and shortest commute, the Foothills area to the east offers newer homes, and Somerton and the outskirts provide lower prices. Yuma is very affordable and buying with a VA loan is common, though the summer heat is a defining feature of the assignment.
Where military families live near MCAS Yuma
Families PCSing to MCAS Yuma most often settle in Yuma, Foothills, Somerton / outskirts. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma (central) | $1,200-$1,700 | $230k-$330k | 5-15 min | Most inventory and the shortest commute to the station. |
| Foothills | $1,350-$1,850 | $260k-$370k | 15-25 min | Newer homes and a suburban feel east of the city. |
| Somerton / outskirts | $1,100-$1,550 | $210k-$300k | 15-25 min | Lower prices in the surrounding desert communities. |
2026 BAH near MCAS Yuma
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at MCAS Yuma is set by the AZ016 (Yuma, AZ) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,695 | $1,338 |
| E-7 | $1,917 | $1,554 |
| O-3 | $2,049 | $1,785 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near MCAS Yuma
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cibola High School | High | Yuma Union High School District | Yuma |
| Gila Ridge High School | High | Yuma Union High School District | Yuma |
| Desert Mesa Elementary | Elementary | Crane School District | Yuma |
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How hot does it get at MCAS Yuma?
Extremely hot. Yuma is one of the hottest and sunniest cities in the country, with summer highs regularly well over 100 degrees for months at a time. Winters are warm and pleasant, which is why the flying weather is so good, but families should be ready for intense summer heat and high cooling costs.
Is Yuma affordable for military families?
Yes. Yuma home prices are below the national average, so buying with a VA loan is realistic for most ranks and BAH often covers a mortgage. The city has the most inventory near the station, while the Foothills area offers newer homes and Somerton has lower prices in the surrounding desert.
Related bases
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
Twentynine Palms, California
Air ForceDavis-Monthan Air Force Base
Tucson, Arizona
Side-by-side comparisons: MCAS Yuma vs Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine PalmsMCAS Yuma vs Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
More: Marine Corps bases · Bases in Arizona