Moving to NAS Meridian
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Meridian, Mississippi.
Also known as: Meridian
Naval Air Station Meridian, in east Mississippi, trains Navy and Marine strike aviators on the T-45 jet. Families PCSing here settle in Meridian, the friendly small city near the base, drawn by some of the lowest home prices of any Navy installation and a relaxed Deep South pace.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Should you live on base or off base at NAS Meridian?
On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Meridian is the main city with a range of neighborhoods, from established central areas to newer developments and the Lauderdale County outskirts. Meridian is very affordable, so buying with a VA loan is easy for most ranks, though amenities are those of a small city with longer drives to larger metros.
Where do military families live near NAS Meridian?
Families PCSing to NAS Meridian most often settle in Northeast Meridian, Central Meridian, Marion / 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Meridian | $1,000-$1,450 | $180k-$270k | 15-25 min | Newer developments and the well-regarded county schools. |
| Central Meridian | $850-$1,300 | $140k-$230k | 15-25 min | Most inventory and amenities with a historic downtown. |
| Marion / outskirts | $900-$1,350 | $160k-$250k | 10-20 min | Rural properties with larger lots near the base. |
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 NAS Meridian?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at NAS Meridian is set by the MS171 (Meridian, MS) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,290 | $1,062 |
| E-7 | $1,692 | $1,269 |
| O-3 | $1,953 | $1,527 |
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 NAS Meridian?
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Lauderdale High School | High | Lauderdale County School District | Meridian |
| Meridian High School | High | Meridian Public School District | Meridian |
| Northeast Elementary | Elementary | Lauderdale County School District | Meridian |
NAS Meridian PCS FAQ
Is Meridian affordable for military families?
Very. Meridian has some of the lowest home prices of any Navy installation, so buying with a VA loan is easy for most ranks and a housing allowance stretches a long way. The northeast side and Lauderdale County schools draw families, and the relaxed small-city pace makes it a comfortable training assignment.
What is Meridian like as a place to live?
Meridian is a friendly small city in east Mississippi with a low cost of living, a historic downtown, and easy access to the outdoors. It is not a large metro, so plan for small-city amenities, with Jackson, Mississippi and Birmingham, Alabama each about 90 minutes to two hours away for bigger trips.
Related bases
Columbus Air Force Base
Columbus, Mississippi
Air ForceKeesler Air Force Base
Biloxi, Mississippi
Side-by-side comparisons: NAS Meridian vs Columbus Air Force BaseNAS Meridian vs Keesler Air Force Base
More: Navy bases · Bases in Mississippi