Moving to Tinker Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Also known as: Tinker AFB
Tinker Air Force Base, in the Oklahoma City metro, is a massive logistics and maintenance depot with one of the largest workforces of any Air Force base. Families PCSing here settle in Midwest City and Choctaw near the gate or Edmond and Moore across the metro, in an affordable market with no shortage of housing.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves a fraction of the large workforce, with waitlists common. Off-base, Midwest City wraps around the base with the most inventory and shortest commute, Choctaw offers newer homes and strong schools nearby, and Edmond and Moore across the metro draw families for top schools. Low Oklahoma City prices make buying with a VA loan easy.
Where military families live near Tinker Air Force Base
Families PCSing to Tinker Air Force Base most often settle in Midwest City, Choctaw, Edmond / Moore. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest City | $1,050-$1,500 | $180k-$270k | 5-15 min | Right outside the gate; most inventory and shortest commute. |
| Choctaw | $1,200-$1,700 | $230k-$330k | 10-20 min | Newer homes and strong schools just east of the base. |
| Edmond / Moore | $1,300-$1,850 | $260k-$380k | 20-35 min | Top-rated schools across the metro; family favorites. |
2026 BAH near Tinker Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Tinker Air Force Base is set by the OK239 (Oklahoma City, OK) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,644 | $1,365 |
| E-7 | $1,896 | $1,542 |
| O-3 | $1,974 | $1,773 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Tinker Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Albert High School | High | Mid-Del Schools | Midwest City |
| Choctaw High School | High | Choctaw-Nicoma Park Schools | Choctaw |
| Soldier Creek Elementary | Elementary | Mid-Del Schools | Midwest City |
Get free quotes for your PCS move to Tinker Air Force Base
Compare movers, storage, auto transport, and insurance near Oklahoma City. Free, no obligation.
Get my free quotesTinker Air Force Base PCS FAQ
Where do most families live near Tinker AFB?
Midwest City, right outside the gate, has the most housing and the shortest commute, making it the default. Choctaw, just east, offers newer homes and strong schools. Edmond and Moore across the Oklahoma City metro have top-rated schools and draw families willing to commute 20 to 35 minutes for them.
Is Oklahoma City affordable for military families?
Very. The Oklahoma City metro has home prices well below the national average, so buying with a VA loan is easy for most ranks and BAH covers a mortgage comfortably. Tinker’s enormous permanent workforce keeps the resale and rental market stable for families who buy and later PCS out.
Related bases
Side-by-side comparisons: Tinker Air Force Base vs Fort SillTinker Air Force Base vs Fort Cavazos
More: Air Force bases · Bases in Oklahoma