Moving to Presidio of Monterey
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Monterey, California.
Also known as: DLI, Defense Language Institute
The Presidio of Monterey, on California’s scenic Central Coast, is home to the Defense Language Institute, where service members from all branches learn foreign languages. Families PCSing here settle in Monterey, Seaside, and Marina, in a beautiful but expensive coastal market where most rely on nearby military housing.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
Nearby Ord Military Community housing serves many families given the high cost of the Monterey Peninsula, with waitlists common. Off-base, Seaside and Marina near the former Fort Ord offer the most value, Monterey and Pacific Grove are charming but expensive, and Salinas inland is cheaper for a longer commute. Coastal prices are high, so base housing is often the practical choice.
Where military families live near Presidio of Monterey
Families PCSing to Presidio of Monterey most often settle in Seaside, Marina, Salinas. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside | $2,600-$3,500 | $650k-$850k | 5-15 min | Closest affordable option near the former Fort Ord. |
| Marina | $2,500-$3,400 | $620k-$820k | 10-20 min | More value with newer development along the coast. |
| Salinas | $2,200-$3,000 | $550k-$720k | 20-30 min | Cheaper inland option about 20 minutes east. |
2026 BAH near Presidio of Monterey
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Presidio of Monterey is set by the CA039 (Monterey, CA) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $3,465 | $2,844 |
| E-7 | $4,218 | $3,258 |
| O-3 | $4,824 | $3,723 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Presidio of Monterey
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside High School | High | Monterey Peninsula Unified | Seaside |
| Marina High School | High | Monterey Peninsula Unified | Marina |
| Marshall Elementary | Elementary | Monterey Peninsula Unified | Seaside |
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Is Monterey expensive for military families?
Yes. The Monterey Peninsula is a scenic, high-cost coastal area, so many families rely on the nearby Ord Military Community housing. Off-base, Seaside and Marina offer the most value, while Monterey and Pacific Grove are charming but pricey. Salinas inland is cheaper for a longer commute.
Where do most students and families live near the Presidio of Monterey?
Because DLI students are here for months of language training, many live in the nearby Ord Military Community housing at former Fort Ord. Off-base, Seaside and Marina are the most practical for value near the coast, and Salinas offers cheaper inland options about 20 minutes east.
Related bases
Naval Base Ventura County
Oxnard, California
Air ForceTravis Air Force Base
Fairfield, California
Side-by-side comparisons: Presidio of Monterey vs Naval Base Ventura CountyPresidio of Monterey vs Travis Air Force Base
More: Army bases · Bases in California