Sheppard AFB
Wichita Falls, Texas · Air Force
Sheppard AFB is the largest technical training base in the Air Force — training over 60,000 students annually in aircraft maintenance, medical, and logistics career fields.
Sheppard AFB sits in Wichita Falls — one of the most affordable cities near any Air Force installation. The cost of living is 23% below the national average, and BAH creates a massive surplus. Most residents are students on temporary training, so the rental market is geared toward short-term flexibility.
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Showing E-5 with dependents for the Wichita Fls/Sheppard Afb, TX MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$1,491/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$1,000/mo
Zillow / BestPlaces 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$491/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $491/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$170,000
Zillow / BestPlaces 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$1,250–$1,450/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~2.0% property tax + insurance
At $1,491/month BAH and an estimated $1,250–$1,450/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
Sheppard AFB BAH for E-5 with dependents is $570/mo below the national average — but Wichita Falls rents run 23% below the national average — ideal for BAH surplus savings on a training assignment
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$1,491/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
-$570/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Wichita Fls/Sheppard Afb, TX
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $1,392/mo·E-5 w/dep: $1,491/mo·E-6 w/dep: $2,112/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $1,392 | $1,044 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,392 | $1,044 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,392 | $1,044 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,392 | $1,044 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $1,491 | $1,182 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,112 | $1,584 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,190 | $1,644 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,271 | $1,704 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,427 | $1,821 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,133 | $1,602 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,223 | $1,668 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,328 | $1,827 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,463 | $2,127 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,634 | $2,208 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,202 | $1,653 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,310 | $1,764 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,490 | $2,106 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $1,572 | $1,290 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,106 | $1,647 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,325 | $1,887 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,691 | $2,187 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $2,955 | $2,229 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $2,979 | $2,304 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $2,997 | $2,343 |
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 23% 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
Most people at Sheppard are students on short tours (3–12 months). The mistake is signing a long lease or buying for a training assignment. Rent month-to-month if possible, and pocket the BAH surplus — Wichita Falls is one of the cheapest housing markets near any Air Force base.
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
BAH is the starting point. Here are the calculations that matter most for your PCS decision.
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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.