Hill AFB PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Local Intel

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Hill AFB is home to the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings (F-35) and the Ogden Air Logistics Complex with 7,000 military personnel and 18,000 civilians—largest employer in Utah.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Good fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR with modest buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,600/month (moderate, competitive market)
• School Quality: Excellent—Davis and Weber School Districts both 7-8/10, strong across board
• Cost of Living: 5% above national average

What This Guide Covers: Housing neighborhoods with real prices, school ratings by name, and Northern Utah military life intel.

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Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Hill Air Force Base
• Location: Ogden, UT (Davis/Weber Counties) / Northern Utah between Ogden and Salt Lake City
• Size: 6,666 acres
• Population: 7,000 military + 18,000 civilians (largest employer in Utah)
• Branch: Air Force (Air Combat Command + Air Force Materiel Command)
• Major Units: 388th Fighter Wing (F-35), 419th Fighter Wing (F-35 Reserve), 75th Air Base Wing, Ogden Air Logistics Complex (depot maintenance)
• Climate: Semi-arid mountain - hot summers (85-100°F), cold winters (15-40°F), 300+ days sun/year, low humidity
• Nearest Major City: Ogden (adjacent), Salt Lake City (30 miles south)

Want real-time data? This guide provides 2025 rates and static intel. For live housing prices, current school ratings, and personalized recommendations, use Base Navigator → (Premium)

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BAH Rates

BAH rates sourced from Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), updated annually. See official source →

Reality Check: For E5 with dependents, BAH covers most rentals comfortably with modest buffer. Northern Utah housing market is competitive but manageable. Layton, Clearfield, and Roy fit BAH well. Farmington and Bountiful push limits but doable. Higher ranks have comfortable cushion.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

Top Tier - Best Value

1. Layton, UT (South of Base)

• Median Rent: $1,650/month (3BR house)
• Commute: 5-10 min to main gate (closest)
• Schools: 7-8/10 (Davis School District)
• Why It's Good: Closest to base, excellent schools, safe, family-oriented, master-planned communities
• Watch Out For: Slightly above BAH for E5 ($50-100/month out-of-pocket), high demand

2. Clearfield, UT (Adjacent to Base)

• Median Rent: $1,550/month
• Commute: 5-10 min to gates
• Schools: 7/10 (Davis School District)
• Why It's Good: Very close, good schools, affordable, fits BAH comfortably
• Watch Out For: Older neighborhoods (established, not new construction)

3. Roy, UT (North of Base)

• Median Rent: $1,600/month
• Commute: 10-15 min to main gate
• Schools: 7/10 (Weber School District)
• Why It's Good: Good schools, safe, family-friendly, affordable, fits BAH
• Watch Out For: Slightly farther than Layton/Clearfield

Desirable But More Expensive

Farmington / Bountiful (South Davis County)

• Median Rent: $1,800-1,900/month
• Commute: 15-20 min to Hill
• Schools: 8/10 (Davis School District - southern areas)
• Why Desirable: Newer construction, beautiful mountain views, excellent schools
• Reality: Above BAH for most ranks ($150-250/month out-of-pocket)

Affordable Options

Ogden, UT (West/South Side)

• Median Rent: $1,400/month
• Commute: 15-20 min to Hill
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Weber/Ogden School Districts - variable)
• Why Know: Most affordable, fits BAH easily, historic downtown
• Reality: Older city, some rougher areas (research specific neighborhoods)

On-Base Housing

Hill AFB Family Housing (managed by Balfour Beatty Communities)

• Availability: Moderate waitlist (4-7 months typical)
• Quality: Mix of older and renovated 2-4 BR homes
• Pros: Zero commute, no rent out-of-pocket, utilities included, on-base schools
• Cons: Waitlist, older homes (some renovated), jet noise
• Wait List: E5-E6 typically 5-7 months
• Verdict: Solid option for convenience and saving BAH buffer

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Schools

Best School Districts:

Davis School District (Top Choice)

• Rating: 7-8/10
• Standout Schools:
  • Layton High School (8/10)
  • Northridge High School (8/10)
  • Clearfield High School (7/10)
  • Syracuse High School (8/10)
• Why Good: Excellent academics across district, strong funding, modern facilities, high graduation rates
• Reality: One of the best districts in Utah—worth living in Davis County
• Link: Davis School District

Weber School District (Solid Choice)

• Rating: 7/10
• Standout Schools:
  • Roy High School (7/10)
  • Fremont High School (7/10)
• Why Good: Solid academics, good funding, improving district

DoDEA Schools On Base:

No DoDEA schools at Hill AFB. You must use local public schools.

Pro Tip: Davis School District (Layton, Clearfield, Kaysville, Syracuse) is excellent (7-8/10) and worth prioritizing. Weber School District (Roy, Ogden) is solid (7/10). Utah invests heavily in education—public schools are generally strong statewide.

For detailed school intelligence and real-time ratings: Base Navigator →

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Local Intel

Cost of Living

Overall: 5% higher — Northern Utah pricing
Housing: 10% higher — Competitive market
Groceries: At average — Smith's + Costco
Utilities: At average — Moderate electric/gas
Gas: 5% higher — Utah fuel prices

Traffic & Commute

• Morning Rush: 7-9 AM moderate on I-15, US-89
• Afternoon Rush: 4-6 PM moderate, manageable
• I-15 to Salt Lake: Heavy traffic during rush hour (30 miles becomes 45-60 min)
• Reality: Northern Utah traffic is manageable. 10-20 min commutes to Hill are normal. Salt Lake commute doable but adds 30 min each way.

Weather Reality

• Summer: 85-100°F, dry heat, low humidity
• Winter: 15-40°F, snow common, temperature inversions (trapped pollution)
• Spring/Fall: Beautiful, mild, sunny
• Reality: Four distinct seasons. Skiing world-class (15-45 min to resorts). Summer heat dry and tolerable. Winter inversion traps smog (air quality poor Dec-Feb). Altitude (4,400 ft) requires adjustment.

Commissary & Shopping

• Commissary: On-base, well-stocked, busy weekends
• Smith's: Local Kroger brand, competitive prices, fuel points
• Costco: Ogden and Layton locations, excellent value
• Layton Hills Mall: Main shopping area
• Station Park (Farmington): Outdoor shopping/dining

Things to Do

• World-Class Skiing: Snowbasin (30 min), Powder Mountain (45 min), Sundance, Alta, Snowbird, Park City (all 45-75 min)
• Outdoor Recreation: Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing everywhere
• Great Salt Lake: Unique ecosystem, Antelope Island (bison, hiking)
• Salt Lake City: 30 min, pro sports (Jazz, Real Salt Lake), dining, entertainment
• Park City: 60 min, mountain town, skiing, Sundance Film Festival
• National Parks: Zion (4 hours), Arches (4 hours), Yellowstone (5.5 hours)
• Temple Square: Salt Lake City, Mormon history, free tours

What to Avoid

• Don't: Ignore altitude adjustment (4,400 ft)—drink water, avoid heavy exercise first week
• Don't: Underestimate winter inversion—air quality can be terrible Dec-Feb
• Don't: Forget sunscreen—altitude + low humidity = severe sunburn risk
• Don't: Expect nightlife culture—Utah has unique liquor laws, Mormon influence

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What's It Like to Live at Hill AFB?

Hill AFB is a mountain paradise F-35 base with excellent quality of life shaped by Utah outdoor culture, strong schools, and world-class skiing.

Deployment Tempo:

• 388th Fighter Wing: Moderate to high—F-35 rotations to Middle East, Europe
• 419th Fighter Wing (Reserve): Low to moderate—part-time with activations
• Ogden Air Logistics Complex: Low—depot maintenance stays CONUS
• Reality: 388th FW deploys regularly but less than some fighter wings. TDYs for Red Flag and exercises are common.

Quality of Life Assessment: 8.5/10

Pros:

• World-class skiing (15-45 min to resorts)
• Exceptional outdoor recreation year-round
• Excellent schools (Davis/Weber Districts 7-8/10)
• 300+ days sunshine, beautiful scenery
• Safe, family-friendly communities
• Strong military community

Cons:

• Housing market competitive (demand outpaces supply)
• Winter inversion (air quality poor Dec-Feb)
• Altitude adjustment required (4,400 ft)
• Utah culture/liquor laws different (Mormon influence)

The Verdict: Hill is a top-tier assignment for families who love outdoor activities, skiing, and mountain lifestyle. It's not ideal if you hate cold, need sea-level climate, or want big-city nightlife.

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base): $1,600
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $190
• Groceries: $750
• Gas/Transportation: $270
• Childcare (1 child, if needed): $800
• Internet/Phone: $160
• Misc/Entertainment: $350
• Total: $4,120

BAH vs. Reality:

BAH Coverage: Good—BAH covers rent in most areas with modest buffer. Layton pushes limits slightly ($50-100/month out-of-pocket for E5). Clearfield and Roy fit comfortably. Farmington/Bountiful above BAH. Senior enlisted and officers have comfortable cushion.

State Tax Reality:

Utah: Flat state income tax (4.65%). Moderate—E5 with family pays ~$1,150-1,650/year in state taxes.

Savings Potential:

Good. BAH covers housing with buffer, cost of living is manageable, and many outdoor activities are free/cheap. Families can save $200-400/month if disciplined and avoid expensive ski passes (season passes add up).

Money-Saving Tips:

1. Live in Clearfield or Roy: Save $100-200/month vs Layton/Farmington
2. Shop Smith's fuel points: 4x points on gift cards, free gas
3. Use free outdoor recreation: Hiking, biking, climbing everywhere (no fees)
4. Buy ski season passes early: Pay for themselves after 4-5 trips (vs $150+ day tickets)
5. Shop Costco: Bulk buying saves 20-30% on groceries

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality:

Northern Utah has a strong job market dominated by military, tech, healthcare, and outdoor industry.

Realistic Expectations:

• Hill AFB is largest employer in Utah (18,000 civilians)
• Tech industry growing (Silicon Slopes—Lehi/Draper 45 min south)
• Healthcare strong (Intermountain Healthcare, Davis Hospital)
• Remote work excellent option (good infrastructure)

Top Spouse Employers:

1. Hill AFB Civilian Jobs: Engineering, IT, logistics, admin ($20-42/hr)
2. Ogden Air Logistics Complex: Depot maintenance, technical roles ($22-50/hr)
3. Intermountain Healthcare / Davis Hospital: Nurses, medical admin, healthcare ($21-38/hr)
4. Davis/Weber School Districts: Teachers, paraprofessionals, admin ($18-28/hr)
5. Tech Companies (Adobe, Pluralsight, Qualtrics): Remote or commute to Salt Lake ($30-70/hr)

Military Spouse Preference:

Hill has extremely active MSP hiring (largest employer in state). Competition is high—apply early and often on USAJobs.

Childcare Reality:

• CDC Waitlist: 5-9 months typical, get on list early
• CDC Cost: $170-280/week based on rank
• Off-Base Daycare: $700-900/month, more availability than CDC
• Family Childcare (FCC): Home providers on base, shorter waitlist

Family Activities & Support:

• Airman & Family Readiness Center: Employment assistance, financial counseling
• Youth Programs: Base sports, camps, teen center
• MWR: Outdoor recreation rentals (camping gear, ski equipment), golf, fitness centers
• Utah Attractions: Skiing, national parks, Salt Lake City events

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Common Questions About Hill AFB

Q: How's the skiing really?
A: World-class. Snowbasin (30 min) and Powder Mountain (45 min) are excellent and less crowded than Park City. Season passes pay for themselves. It's incredible.

Q: Will BAH cover housing?
A: Yes, comfortably in most areas. Layton is tight ($50-100/month out-of-pocket for E5). Clearfield and Roy fit well. Farmington/Bountiful above BAH.

Q: What about schools?
A: Excellent. Davis School District (Layton, Clearfield, Syracuse) is 7-8/10. Weber School District (Roy, Ogden) is 7/10. Utah invests heavily in education—public schools are strong.

Q: How's the altitude adjustment?
A: Mild (4,400 ft). Takes 1-2 weeks. Drink extra water, avoid heavy exercise first week. Most people adjust quickly.

Q: What's the winter inversion?
A: Temperature inversion traps pollution in valley Dec-Feb. Air quality can be poor (brown haze). Mountains clear. It's annoying but manageable.

Q: Do pilots deploy from Hill?
A: Yes, moderately. 388th FW (F-35) deploys regularly (6-9 month rotations every 18-24 months). TDYs for Red Flag and exercises common.

Q: Is Hill family-friendly?
A: Extremely. Safe communities, excellent schools, outdoor recreation culture, low deployment tempo compared to some bases. One of the best family assignments.

Q: What's there to do?
A: Outdoor paradise. Skiing, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, camping everywhere. Salt Lake City 30 min for pro sports, dining, culture. National parks 3-5 hours.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

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Last Updated: November 11, 2025
Next Review: February 2026

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Official Resources & References

This guide synthesizes data from official Department of Defense sources. For additional information:

• Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) - Official military pay and allowances
• Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) - PCS entitlements and regulations
• MilitaryOneSource - Free 24/7 counseling and family support
• Defense Travel Management Office - Official BAH rates and per diem

Last verified: 2025-11-11. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.