Dyess AFB
Abilene, Texas · Air Force
Dyess AFB is home to the 7th Bomb Wing (B-1B Lancers) and the 317th Airlift Wing (C-130J Super Hercules) — one of only two bases operating the B-1B bomber, located in Abilene, Texas.
Dyess AFB is one of the most affordable Air Force bases. Abilene's cost of living is well below the national average, Texas has no income tax, and BAH creates substantial surplus at every pay grade. This is a saving-and-investing station — embrace the simplicity and build wealth.
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Showing E-5 with dependents for the Abilene/Dyess Afb, TX MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$1,554/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$1,000/mo
Zillow / BestPlaces 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$554/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $554/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$195,000
Zillow / BestPlaces 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$1,450–$1,650/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~2.0% property tax + insurance
At $1,554/month BAH and an estimated $1,450–$1,650/month PITI on a median-priced home, BAH may cover a significant portion of a typical mortgage in this market — though actual costs vary based on rate, taxes, insurance, and individual circumstances.
Housing cost estimates are approximate and based on publicly available market data. Actual mortgage costs depend on interest rate, property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, maintenance, credit profile, and lender requirements. This is not financial advice — use these numbers as a starting point for your own research.
How This Market Compares
Dyess AFB BAH for E-5 with dependents is $507/mo below the national average — but Abilene is one of the most affordable Air Force markets — save the difference aggressively
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$1,554/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
-$507/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Abilene/Dyess Afb, TX
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $1,458/mo·E-5 w/dep: $1,554/mo·E-6 w/dep: $2,214/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $1,458 | $1,170 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,458 | $1,170 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,458 | $1,170 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,458 | $1,170 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $1,554 | $1,287 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,214 | $1,662 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,238 | $1,680 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,247 | $1,692 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,298 | $1,884 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,235 | $1,677 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,244 | $1,689 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,256 | $1,908 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,325 | $2,211 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,448 | $2,220 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,241 | $1,686 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,250 | $1,842 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,343 | $2,208 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $1,635 | $1,362 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,205 | $1,683 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,253 | $1,974 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,484 | $2,214 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $2,676 | $2,223 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $2,694 | $2,226 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $2,712 | $2,241 |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
Local cost of living context
Overall cost of living is roughly roughly 15–18% below the national average.
Texas has no state income tax on military pay, meaning your BAH, base pay, and special pays go further here than in high-tax states.
What to know before you move
Abilene is a small West Texas city — the nearest major metro (Dallas-Fort Worth) is 3 hours east. The mistake is expecting big-city amenities. The upside: no state income tax, incredibly affordable housing, and BAH surplus that lets you save aggressively. The south side of Abilene near the base has the most convenient housing.
Housing data is approximate and provided for informational and educational purposes only. Median rents and home prices reflect market estimates at time of publication and may not reflect current conditions. School ratings are sourced from third-party services and reflect their methodology. MilPayTools does not endorse specific neighborhoods, properties, landlords, or housing decisions. Always verify figures independently and consult with a qualified professional before making financial commitments.
What to do next
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Data Source & Disclaimer
BAH rates are from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) 2026 BAH data, effective January 1, 2026. Rates are set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not individual ZIP code — all ZIPs in the same MHA receive identical rates. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with DoD, DTMO, or any government agency. Verify your entitlement at travel.dod.mil.