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

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Holloman AFB is home to the 49th Wing (F-16 training) with 4,500 active duty personnel. This is a remote assignment—Alamogordo is a small town (31K people) in the high desert of southern New Mexico, 2 hours from El Paso.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Excellent fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house with $400-500 buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,100/month (very affordable)
• School Quality: Alamogordo Public Schools are 5-7/10 (mixed), limited private school options

What This Guide Covers: Housing neighborhoods with real prices, school ratings by name, Alamogordo local intel, and F-16 mission realities.

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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Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Holloman Air Force Base
• Location: Alamogordo, NM (Otero County) - 90 miles north of El Paso
• Size: 59,639 acres
• Population: 4,500 active duty + 8,000 total (civilians + dependents)
• Branch: Air Force (ACC)
• Major Units: 49th Wing (F-16C/D training), 54th Fighter Group (F-16s), German Air Force Flying Training Center (Tornado/Eurofighter training)
• Climate: High desert—hot summers (95-105°F), mild winters (40-60°F), dry year-round
• Nearest Major City: El Paso, TX (90 miles south), Albuquerque, NM (3.5 hours north)

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BAH Rates

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

Key Insight: BAH comfortably covers rent in all Alamogordo neighborhoods with $400-500 left over. Housing is cheap—median rent is $1,100 (off-base) vs E5 BAH ~$1,500. This is a money-saving post. Most live off-base because on-base housing waitlists are long (6-12 months).

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

🏆 Tier 1 - Best for Families (Live Here)

North Alamogordo (Near 10th Street):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,100/month
• Commute: 10-15 minutes to main gate
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Alamogordo High School, Sierra Middle)
• Vibe: Suburban, family-friendly, quiet
• Best Areas: Near Indian Wells Road, Mountain View area
• Why: Best schools in town, safe, pocket $400-500/month from BAH

East Alamogordo (Near White Sands Boulevard):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,050/month
• Commute: 12-17 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6/10 (Oregon Elementary, Alamogordo schools)
• Vibe: Mixed residential, affordable
• Why: Cheapest rent, pocket $450-500/month, decent schools

On-Base Housing (Privatized):

• Cost: Free (BAH auto-deducted)
• Wait Time: 6-12 months
• Quality: 7/10 (renovated, decent condition)
• Schools: On-base elementary (Desert Winds), bus to off-base middle/high
• Why: Convenience, short commute, no utilities (except electric)

⚠️ Tier 2 - Livable But Research Carefully

Downtown Alamogordo:

• Median 3BR Rent: $950/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to gate
• Schools: 5-6/10 (older schools, mixed quality)
• Vibe: Small-town downtown, older homes
• Trade-off: Cheaper rent ($950) but weaker schools and older homes

La Luz (Northwest of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,000/month
• Commute: 20-25 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6/10 (Alamogordo schools)
• Vibe: Rural, small community, scenic (mountain views)
• Why: Quiet, cheaper, but longer commute

❌ Tier 3 - Avoid Unless You Know What You're Doing

South Alamogordo (Near Hwy 70):

• Higher crime, older homes, poor schools (4-5/10)
• Not worth the $100-150/month savings

Tularosa (30 min north):

• Too far (30-40 min commute), limited amenities
• Only consider if you want extreme isolation

Pro Tip: North Alamogordo near 10th Street is the best combo—6-7/10 schools, safe, 10-min commute, pocket $400-500/month. On-base is 7/10 but waitlists are 6-12 months. East Alamogordo is cheaper ($1,050) but slightly weaker schools (6/10). Avoid South Alamogordo and Tularosa.

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Schools

Top Elementary Schools

• Desert Winds Elementary (On-base) - 7/10 - Best option for young kids
• Buena Vista Elementary (North Alamogordo) - 6/10 - Decent off-base
• Oregon Elementary (East Alamogordo) - 6/10 - Average

Top Middle Schools

• Sierra Middle School (North Alamogordo) - 6/10 - Best middle school in town
• Chaparral Middle School (South) - 5/10 - Avoid

Top High Schools

• Alamogordo High School (North) - 6/10 - Only public high school in town
• New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Specialized) - Not applicable for most

Private Schools

• Grace Christian Academy - K-12 private (Christian) - Small, limited programs

Schools to Avoid

• Chaparral Middle (South Alamogordo) - 5/10 - Struggling
• Schools in Tularosa - 4-5/10 - Rural, limited resources

School District Reality: Alamogordo Public Schools are 5-7/10 overall—not great, not terrible. Desert Winds Elementary (on-base, 7/10) is the best option for young kids. Sierra Middle (6/10) is the best middle school. Alamogordo High (6/10) is the only public high school. Private school options are limited (Grace Christian is small). If schools are #1 priority, this base will be tough.

For live school ratings and neighborhood analysis: Base Navigator →

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Local Intel (What You Actually Need to Know)

Cost of Living

Overall: -15% lower — Remote New Mexico affordability
Housing: -20% lower — BAH covers rent with $400-500 buffer
Groceries: -10% lower — Commissary + off-base savings
Gas: -5% lower — Cheaper than coasts

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in North Alamogordo): $1,100
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $150
• Groceries: $750
• Gas (commute + errands): $140
• Internet/Streaming: $85
• Kids (activities, daycare part-time): $300

Total: ~$2,525/month (E5 BAH + BAS covers housing + groceries, pocket $500/month)

State Taxes

• New Mexico: 1.7%-5.9% state income tax (graduated)
• No local taxes: Alamogordo has no additional city tax
• Military Benefit: Active duty can claim home state of record (tax advantage if from no-income-tax state)

BAH Reality: E5 with dependents BAH (~$1,500) covers North Alamogordo rent ($1,100) with $400 left over. Live in East Alamogordo ($1,050) and pocket $450. Live on-base (free) and pocket entire BAH ($1,500). This is a money-saving post—use the buffer to pay off debt, save, or invest.

Pro Tip: Off-base housing is the best value—pocket $400-500/month. On-base is free but waitlists are 6-12 months. Alamogordo is cheap—low rent, low cost of living, no traffic. Use this assignment to save serious money ($5,000-7,000/year extra).

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: None (small town, no traffic)
• Best Routes: Highway 54 (north-south), 10th Street (east-west)
• Worst: None (no traffic congestion)
• Pro Tip: 10-15 minute commute from anywhere in Alamogordo

Commissary & BX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings, early afternoons
• Worst Times: Weekends (packed), paydays
• Off-Base Alternative: Walmart, Albertsons (limited selection)

Things You Should Know

• F-16 training: Loud—jets fly 6am-5pm Monday-Friday (get used to it)
• Remote location: Alamogordo is small (31K people), 90 miles from El Paso
• German Air Force: Tornado/Eurofighter training—international presence
• White Sands National Park: 15 minutes away (stunning gypsum dunes)
• High desert: Dry year-round (5 inches rain/year), hot summers (100°F+), mild winters
• Limited amenities: No Target, no mall, basic shopping only
• Outdoor paradise: Hiking, camping, mountains (Sacramento, Guadalupe)

Hidden Gems

• White Sands National Park (15 min) - Gypsum sand dunes, sledding, sunset hikes
• White Sands Missile Range Museum (20 min) - Missile history, V-2 rockets
• Cloudcroft (30 min) - Mountain town, skiing, cool summers (escape heat)
• Sacramento Mountains (30 min) - Hiking, camping, Lincoln National Forest
• El Paso (90 min) - Shopping, restaurants, civilization (weekend trips)

Areas to Avoid

• South Alamogordo (higher crime, poor schools)
• Tularosa (too far, 30-40 min commute)

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What's It Like to Live at Holloman AFB?

Holloman AFB is home to the 49th Wing (F-16 training) and the German Air Force Flying Training Center (Tornado and Eurofighter training). If you're here, you're either flying F-16s, maintaining them, or supporting the mission. The vibe is loud—jets take off 6am-5pm Monday-Friday. You'll hear the sound of freedom daily. The German Air Force presence adds an international flavor (German restaurants, Oktoberfest on base).

Mission Reality:

• 49th Wing (F-16 pilots): Training mission—moderate deployment tempo (6-month deployments every 18-24 months to Middle East)
• German Air Force: Tornado/Eurofighter training—mostly CONUS with occasional TDY
• Maintenance/Support: Busy ops tempo but minimal deployments (mostly CONUS)

Quality of Life:

• Remote: Alamogordo is small (31K people), 90 miles from El Paso. Limited shopping (no Target, no mall).
• Cheap: BAH covers rent with $400-500 buffer. Pocket $5K-7K/year extra.
• Schools: 5-7/10 overall (not great). Desert Winds Elementary (on-base, 7/10) is best.
• Weather: High desert—hot summers (100°F+), mild winters (40-60°F), dry year-round (5 inches rain).
• Outdoors: White Sands National Park (15 min), Sacramento Mountains (30 min), Cloudcroft skiing (45 min).

The Good:

• Very affordable (pocket $400-500/month from BAH)
• White Sands National Park is stunning (15 min away)
• No traffic (10-15 min commute from anywhere)
• Outdoor paradise (hiking, camping, mountains)
• F-16 mission is exciting (if you like jets)
• German Air Force presence adds culture

The Not-So-Good:

• Remote/isolated (90 miles from El Paso, 3.5 hours from Albuquerque)
• Schools are weak (5-7/10 overall)
• Limited shopping/dining (small town, no Target, no mall)
• Loud jets daily (6am-5pm, Monday-Friday)
• Hot summers (100°F+ June-August)
• Dust storms (spring winds, brown-out conditions)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: -15% lower — Remote New Mexico affordability
Housing: -20% lower — BAH covers rent with $400-500 buffer
Groceries: -10% lower — Commissary saves 20-30%
Transportation: -5% lower — Gas cheap, car insurance low

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in North Alamogordo): $1,100
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $150
• Groceries: $750
• Gas (commute + errands): $140
• Internet/Cable: $85
• Childcare (part-time): $300
• Car Insurance: $110
• Misc (restaurants, entertainment): $150

Total: ~$2,785/month
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,300/month (covers housing + food, pocket $515)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH (~$1,500) covers North Alamogordo rent ($1,100) with $400 left over. Live in East Alamogordo ($1,050) and pocket $450. Live on-base (free) and pocket entire BAH ($1,500).

Savings Potential: Very high—pocket $400-500/month off-base, or $1,500/month on-base. Low cost of living + cheap housing = save $5,000-7,000/year extra. Use this assignment to pay off debt, save for house down payment, or invest.

Pro Tips:

• Live off-base in North Alamogordo (pocket $400/month, best schools)
• On-base saves more ($1,500/month) but waitlist is 6-12 months
• Commissary saves 20-30% vs off-base (Walmart, Albertsons)
• No traffic = low gas costs ($140/month vs $200+ at busy bases)
• Use BAH buffer to save aggressively (this is a money-making post)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Alamogordo is a small town (31K people) with limited civilian job opportunities. Most spouse employment is on-base (NAF, contractors) or remote work. Off-base options are limited to retail, healthcare, or education. El Paso (90 miles) has more jobs but commute is unrealistic. Remote work is the best bet for professional spouses.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. On-Base Contractors: Northrop Grumman, AECOM, L3Harris (admin, IT - $40K-60K)
2. NAF (Base Services): CDC, fitness, MWR ($28K-38K)
3. Healthcare: Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center (RN $55K-70K, admin $30K-45K)
4. Retail: Walmart, Albertsons (cashier, manager - $25K-35K)
5. Education: Alamogordo Public Schools (teachers start $38K)
6. Remote Work: Best option for professional spouses ($50K-80K)

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $55,000-70,000
• On-base contractor (admin/IT): $40,000-60,000
• Teaching (NM): $38,000-50,000
• Retail (manager): $30,000-40,000
• Remote work (varies): $50,000-80,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Holloman has NAF jobs (CDC, fitness, MWR)
• Airman & Family Readiness has job assistance programs
• MyCAA grants available for education/certifications
• Off-base job market is weak (small town)

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 8-12 months (get on list at PCS orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $110-160/week per child (affordable)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $100-140/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $80-120/week

For Families:

• Schools: 5-7/10 (weak overall, Desert Winds Elementary on-base is best at 7/10)
• Activities: White Sands, Cloudcroft, hiking, camping
• Support: Close-knit spouse community (small base, everyone knows everyone)

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Common Questions About Holloman AFB

Q: Is Holloman AFB a good duty station? A: Depends on priorities. If you want to save money ($400-500/month from BAH), love the outdoors (White Sands, mountains, hiking), and don't mind remote living, yes. If you prioritize strong schools (5-7/10 here), shopping/dining options, or avoiding isolation, no. It's a trade-off—financial savings + outdoor paradise vs weak schools + small town limits.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base is better for most. On-base waitlists are 6-12 months and quality is 7/10. Live in North Alamogordo ($1,100 rent, 6-7/10 schools) and pocket $400/month. If you get on-base housing, it's free (pocket entire BAH $1,500), but you sacrifice flexibility and school choice.

Q: How bad are the schools? A: Alamogordo Public Schools are 5-7/10 overall—not great. Desert Winds Elementary (on-base, 7/10) is best for young kids. Sierra Middle (6/10) is decent. Alamogordo High (6/10) is the only public high school. Limited private school options. If schools are #1 priority, this base will be tough.

Q: Is Alamogordo really that remote? A: Yes. Alamogordo has 31K people. No Target, no mall, basic shopping only (Walmart, Albertsons). El Paso (90 miles, 1.5 hours) is nearest city. Albuquerque is 3.5 hours. You'll drive to El Paso monthly for shopping/dining. If you need city amenities weekly, you'll feel isolated.

Q: Can I avoid the jet noise? A: No. F-16s fly 6am-5pm Monday-Friday. German Air Force Tornados/Eurofighters also train daily. You'll hear jets constantly. Some love it (sound of freedom), others hate it. Noise canceling headphones help. Weekends are quieter.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Tough. On-base contractor jobs ($40K-60K) and NAF ($28K-38K) are best bets. Off-base market is weak (small town, limited jobs). Remote work is ideal for professional spouses ($50K-80K). Healthcare (RNs $55K-70K) and teaching ($38K-50K) are options. Don't expect high-paying off-base work.

Q: What's the deployment tempo? A: Moderate. 49th Wing F-16 pilots deploy 6 months every 18-24 months to Middle East. Maintenance/support units have lower deployment tempo (mostly CONUS with occasional TDYs). German Air Force stays mostly CONUS. Not as high as combat units, but not zero.

Q: What's there to do in Alamogordo? A: Outdoors: White Sands National Park (15 min), Sacramento Mountains (30 min), Cloudcroft skiing (45 min), hiking, camping. Town: limited dining, Walmart, basic shopping. Weekend trips to El Paso (90 min) for civilization. If you love outdoors, you'll thrive. If you need city amenities, you'll struggle.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

This guide gave you the local intel. Now use our premium tools to execute:

1. Interactive Data (Live Updates)

Base Navigator →

• Real-time housing prices
• Current school ratings
• Weather patterns
• Neighborhood rankings

2. Your Personal PCS Plan

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• Custom 180-day timeline
• Document checklist
• JTR-compliant entitlements
• Finance office ready

Planning your PCS? Our PCS Copilot → generates your custom 180-day timeline with JTR-compliant entitlements and finance-office-ready documentation.

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3. Paycheck Audit

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• Scan for missing entitlements
• BAH/BAS verification
• Tax withholding check

4. Ask the Expert

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• Holloman AFB-specific questions
• Spouse employment intel
• School district comparisons

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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: 2025-01-15. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.