Moving to Minot Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Minot, North Dakota.
Also known as: Minot AFB
Minot Air Force Base, in northern North Dakota, is one of only two bases with both B-52 bombers and Minuteman III ICBMs, making it central to the nuclear mission. Families PCSing here live on base or in the city of Minot, in an affordable but very cold and remote Northern Plains posting.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing is popular given the harsh winters and limited local inventory. Off-base, the city of Minot is essentially the only option, about 15 minutes south, with a range of established and newer neighborhoods. Prices are low, so buying with a VA loan is realistic, but the cold and isolation are the defining features of a Minot tour.
Where military families live near Minot Air Force Base
Families PCSing to Minot Air Force Base most often settle in Minot, Minot, Burlington / Surrounding. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minot (north/near base) | $1,050-$1,500 | $210k-$300k | 10-20 min | Closest neighborhoods to the base with the shortest commute. |
| Minot (south/central) | $1,000-$1,450 | $190k-$290k | 15-25 min | Established neighborhoods with more amenities in town. |
| Burlington / Surrounding | $950-$1,350 | $180k-$270k | 15-25 min | Small towns just outside Minot with lower prices. |
2026 BAH near Minot Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Minot Air Force Base is set by the ND191 (Minot AFB, ND) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,548 | $1,260 |
| E-7 | $2,052 | $1,539 |
| O-3 | $2,175 | $1,824 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Minot Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot High School | High | Minot Public Schools | Minot |
| Erik Ramstad Middle School | Middle | Minot Public Schools | Minot |
| Dakota Elementary | Elementary | Minot Public Schools | Minot |
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What is winter like at Minot AFB?
Long and very cold. Northern North Dakota has some of the harshest winters in the Lower 48, with heavy snow and temperatures well below zero for extended stretches from late fall into spring. A reliable vehicle with winter tires, an engine block heater, and proper cold-weather gear are essentials for a Minot tour.
Where do families live near Minot AFB?
The city of Minot, about 15 minutes south of the base, is essentially the only off-base option, with a range of established and newer neighborhoods. Many families choose on-base housing to simplify the harsh winters. Prices are low, so buying with a VA loan is realistic for a multi-year assignment.
Related bases
Side-by-side comparisons: Minot Air Force Base vs Joint Base Elmendorf-RichardsonMinot Air Force Base vs Fort Riley
More: Air Force bases · Bases in North Dakota