Moving to Mountain Home Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Mountain Home, Idaho.
Also known as: Mountain Home AFB
Mountain Home Air Force Base, in the high desert of southern Idaho, flies F-15E Strike Eagles. Families PCSing here settle in the town of Mountain Home right by the base or commute from the Boise area, in an affordable, remote high-desert market with easy access to Idaho’s outdoors.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing is popular given the remote location, with the usual waitlists. Off-base, the town of Mountain Home wraps around the base with the most affordable inventory and shortest commute, while some families choose the growing Boise metro (Meridian, Kuna, Nampa) about 45 minutes northwest for more amenities and schools at higher prices. Idaho prices are moderate.
Where military families live near Mountain Home Air Force Base
Families PCSing to Mountain Home Air Force Base most often settle in Mountain Home, Kuna / South Boise metro, Meridian / Nampa. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home | $1,150-$1,600 | $250k-$350k | 5-15 min | Right by the base; most affordable and shortest commute. |
| Kuna / South Boise metro | $1,500-$2,000 | $380k-$500k | 40-55 min | Growing suburbs with more amenities about 40 minutes northwest. |
| Meridian / Nampa | $1,550-$2,100 | $400k-$520k | 45-60 min | Larger Boise-area suburbs with strong schools, longer commute. |
2026 BAH near Mountain Home Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Mountain Home Air Force Base is set by the ID086 (Mountain Home AFB, ID) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,605 | $1,524 |
| E-7 | $2,238 | $1,680 |
| O-3 | $2,325 | $1,977 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Mountain Home Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home High School | High | Mountain Home School District | Mountain Home |
| Kuna High School | High | Kuna Joint School District | Kuna |
| Hacker Middle School | Middle | Mountain Home School District | Mountain Home |
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Should I live in Mountain Home or near Boise?
The town of Mountain Home, right by the base, has the most affordable homes and the shortest commute, making it the default. Some families choose the growing Boise metro suburbs like Kuna, Meridian, or Nampa for more amenities and schools, but that adds a 40 to 60 minute commute each way.
What is the area around Mountain Home AFB like?
It is remote high desert with sagebrush country and big skies, and the town of Mountain Home covers day-to-day needs. Boise, about 45 minutes northwest, offers big-city amenities. Idaho’s outdoor recreation, from rivers to mountains, is a major draw, and the cost of living is moderate.
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