Laughlin AFB PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Del Rio Living

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Laughlin AFB is home to the 47th Flying Training Wing (pilot training - T-6, T-1, T-38) with 1,100 active duty personnel. This is a pilot training mission—undergraduate pilot training (UPT) on the Texas-Mexico border. VERY low cost of living, decent schools, but remote border location.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Excellent fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house with $500-550 buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,050/month (VERY affordable for Texas)
• School Quality: San Felipe Del Rio CISD (6-7/10) is decent
• Remote: 2.5 hours from San Antonio, Texas-Mexico border location (isolation)

What This Guide Covers: Housing with real prices, school ratings, Del Rio Texas border town intel, and pilot training 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: Laughlin Air Force Base
• Location: Del Rio, TX (Val Verde County) - 5 miles east of Del Rio
• Size: 4,500 acres
• Population: 1,100 active duty + 3,000 total (civilians + students)
• Branch: Air Force (AETC - Air Education and Training Command)
• Major Units: 47th Flying Training Wing (T-6 Texan II, T-1 Jayhawk, T-38 Talon - undergraduate pilot training)
• Climate: Semi-arid Texas border—HOT/dry summers (95-105°F), mild winters (40-65°F)
• Nearest Major City: Del Rio, TX (adjacent, 36K people), San Antonio, TX (2.5 hours east), Ciudad Acuña, Mexico (across border, 5 min)

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BAH Rates

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

Key Insight: BAH VERY generously covers rent in all neighborhoods—Del Rio housing is CHEAP. E5 BAH (~$1,600) covers median rent ($1,050) with $550 left over. This is the HIGHEST savings post per BAH ratio—VERY low cost of living + generous BAH + NO Texas state income tax = save $7,000-9,000/year.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

🏆 Tier 1 - Best for Families (Live Here)

Del Rio, TX (Near Laughlin Gate):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,050/month
• Commute: 5-10 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6-7/10 (San Felipe Del Rio CISD—decent)
• Vibe: Border town (36K people), military-friendly
• Best Areas: Near Del Rio High School, Northside
• Why: Close commute, pocket $550/month

On-Base Housing (Privatized - Corvias):

• Cost: Free (BAH auto-deducted)
• Wait Time: 1-3 months (VERY short wait)
• Quality: 7-8/10 (renovated, good)
• Schools: Bus to San Felipe Del Rio CISD (6-7/10)
• Why: Convenience, VERY short wait, no commute

⚠️ Tier 2 - Livable But Research Carefully

Ciudad Acuña, Mexico (Across border):

• Median 3BR Rent: $500-700/month (VERY cheap)
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to gate (border crossing)
• Schools: Must attend on-base or US schools (cross daily)
• Vibe: Mexican border city, cultural experience
• Trade-off: VERY cheap but border crossing daily, safety concerns, cultural adjustment

Pro Tip: Del Rio (6-7/10 schools) is the standard—pocket $550/month, 5-10 min commute. On-base wait is VERY SHORT (1-3 months), quality 7-8/10, excellent for instructors. Some choose Ciudad Acuña, Mexico (VERY cheap $500-700/month rent) but daily border crossing + safety concerns. Del Rio is the safe, practical choice.

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Schools

Top Elementary Schools

• Lonnie Green Elementary (Del Rio) - 7/10 - Best elementary near base
• Del Rio Freshman (Del Rio) - 6/10 - Decent

Top Middle Schools

• Del Rio Middle (Del Rio) - 6/10 - Average

Top High Schools

• Del Rio High School (Del Rio) - 7/10 - Best high school in area

Private Schools

• Sacred Heart School (Del Rio) - 6/10 - Small Catholic (K-8, $3K-5K/year)
• Limited private school options in Del Rio

Schools to Avoid

• None specifically—San Felipe Del Rio CISD is decent across the board (6-7/10)

School District Strategy: San Felipe Del Rio CISD (6-7/10) is decent—Lonnie Green Elementary and Del Rio High (both 7/10) are best. Middle school is 6/10 (average). Private schools VERY limited—Sacred Heart Catholic (6/10, $3K-5K/year) is only option. Schools are solid but not exceptional. If you live in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, kids can bus to on-base schools or Del Rio schools (cross border daily).

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: -20% lower — Border Texas affordability
Housing: -30% lower — BAH covers rent with $550 buffer
Groceries: -15% lower — Commissary + Mexico shopping
Utilities: +5% higher — Hot summers, AC runs

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in Del Rio): $1,050
• Utilities (electric + AC): $160 (summer: $210-240)
• Groceries: $720 (or shop in Mexico for 30-40% savings)
• Gas (commute + errands): $140
• Internet/Streaming: $82
• Kids (activities, daycare part-time): $280

Total: ~$2,432/month (summer: ~$2,512 with higher AC)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,500/month (covers housing + food, pocket $988-1,068)

State Taxes

• Texas: NO state income tax (MAJOR savings)
• Sales Tax: 8.25% (state + local)
• Property Tax: High (but renters not directly impacted)

BAH Reality: E5 with dependents BAH (~$1,600) covers Del Rio rent ($1,050) with $550 left over. On-base is free (BAH auto-deducted). Budget $210-240/month for summer AC (HOT Texas border summers).

Pro Tip: Del Rio is EXTREMELY affordable—pocket $550/month. NO Texas state income tax = save $2,500-3,500/year. VERY LOW cost of living + generous BAH = save $7,000-9,000/year. This is the HIGHEST savings-per-dollar assignment in CONUS. Max TSP (19% or $23,500 annual limit), pay off ALL debt, build massive emergency fund. Use this assignment to become financially ahead.

MEXICO BORDER REALITY:

• Ciudad Acuña: 5 min across border, shopping/restaurants/dental 50-70% cheaper
• Border crossing: 15-30 min wait (peak times), SENTRI/Global Entry speeds up
• Safety: Border towns have crime—stay in tourist areas, daytime only, avoid downtown at night
• Shopping: Groceries, alcohol, prescriptions, dental care MUCH cheaper in Mexico
• Cultural: Many military families cross weekly for shopping/dining (Mexican food, culture)
• Passport required: Must have passport to cross (Real ID not enough)

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: 7-8am, 4:30-5:30pm (minimal—small town)
• Best Routes: US-277, Spur 239
• Worst: Border crossing during peak hours (15-30 min wait)
• Pro Tip: 5-10 minute commute from Del Rio, zero traffic except border

Commissary & BX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings, early afternoons
• Worst Times: Weekends (busier), paydays
• Off-Base Alternative: Walmart, H-E-B (Del Rio), or shop in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico (50-70% cheaper)

Things You Should Know

• Pilot training mission: 47th Flying Training Wing (T-6, T-1, T-38)—undergraduate pilot training (UPT)
• Instructor lifestyle: Most personnel are flight instructors (teach students, stable assignment)
• MINIMAL deployments: Instructors stay CONUS, teach flying (non-deploying assignment)
• Students: Constant flow of student pilots (6 months to 1 year training)
• Border location: Texas-Mexico border, Ciudad Acuña 5 min across
• HOT/dry summers: 95-105°F, low humidity (tolerable vs Gulf Coast)
• Remote: 2.5 hours from San Antonio (isolation)
• Del Rio is small: 36K people, limited nightlife/dating

Hidden Gems

• Amistad National Recreation Area (15 min) - Lake Amistad, boating, fishing, 65 miles of shoreline
• Seminole Canyon State Park (45 min) - Ancient rock art, hiking, pictographs
• Ciudad Acuña, Mexico (5 min) - Shopping, restaurants, Mexican culture
• Whitehead Memorial Museum (Del Rio) - Local history
• Val Verde Winery (Del Rio) - Texas's oldest winery (1883)
• San Antonio (2.5 hours) - Riverwalk, Alamo, Six Flags (weekend trips)

Areas to Avoid

• Downtown Ciudad Acuña at night (crime)
• Some parts of Del Rio downtown at night

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What's It Like to Live at Laughlin AFB?

Laughlin AFB is home to the 47th Flying Training Wing—one of the four undergraduate pilot training (UPT) bases in the Air Force. If you're here, you're either a flight instructor (teaching students to fly T-6, T-1, or T-38 aircraft) or supporting operations. The mission is pilot training—churning out new Air Force pilots. Instructors stay CONUS (MINIMAL deployments), teach daily sorties, stable assignment (3+ years). Students rotate through every 6 months to 1 year. This is an instructor mission on the Texas-Mexico border—VERY low cost of living, remote location, but incredible savings potential.

Mission Reality:

• 47th Flying Training Wing (T-6, T-1, T-38): Undergraduate pilot training (UPT), instructor-focused
• MINIMAL deployments: Instructors stay CONUS, teach flying (stable, non-deploying assignment)
• Students: Constant flow of student pilots (6 months to 1 year training cycles)
• Instructor lifestyle: Fly daily sorties, teach students, stable 3+ year assignments
• Support/Mx: Minimal deployment tempo

Quality of Life:

• VERY LOW cost of living: Pocket $550/month from BAH, save $7,000-9,000/year (HIGHEST savings-per-dollar in CONUS)
• NO Texas state income tax: Save $2,500-3,500/year (major win)
• Schools: San Felipe Del Rio CISD (6-7/10) is decent
• MINIMAL deployments: Instructors stay CONUS (major quality-of-life win)
• Border location: Ciudad Acuña, Mexico 5 min (shopping/dining 50-70% cheaper)
• Remote: 2.5 hours from San Antonio (isolation)
• Del Rio is small: 36K people, limited nightlife/dating
• HOT/dry summers: 95-105°F, low humidity (tolerable)

The Good:

• VERY LOW cost of living (pocket $550/month, save $7,000-9,000/year—HIGHEST savings in CONUS)
• NO Texas state income tax (save $2,500-3,500/year, major win)
• MINIMAL deployments (instructors stay CONUS, stable lifestyle)
• Mexico border 5 min (shopping/dining/dental 50-70% cheaper, cultural experience)
• Lake Amistad (15 min, boating, fishing, 65 miles of shoreline)
• VERY short on-base housing waitlist (1-3 months)
• Del Rio schools decent (6-7/10)
• Low traffic (5-10 min commute)
• Instructor camaraderie (teaching culture, tight-knit community)

The Not-So-Good:

• Remote location (2.5 hours from San Antonio, isolation)
• Del Rio is VERY small (36K people, limited nightlife/dating)
• HOT/dry summers (95-105°F, though low humidity helps)
• Border location has safety concerns (stay in tourist areas, daytime only)
• Schools are 6-7/10 (decent but not great)
• Limited entertainment (small border town)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: -20% lower — Border Texas affordability
Housing: -30% lower — BAH covers rent with HUGE buffer
Groceries: -15% lower — Commissary + Mexico shopping
Utilities: +5% higher — Hot summers, AC runs

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in Del Rio): $1,050
• Utilities (electric + AC): $160 (summer: $210-240)
• Groceries: $720 (or $500-600 if shopping in Mexico)
• Gas (commute + errands): $140
• Internet/Cable: $82
• Childcare (part-time): $280
• Car Insurance: $100 (TX is moderate)
• Misc (restaurants, entertainment): $110

Total: ~$2,642/month (summer: ~$2,722 with higher AC)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,500/month (covers housing + food, pocket $778-858)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH (~$1,600) covers Del Rio rent ($1,050) with $550 left over. On-base is free (BAH auto-deducted).

Savings Potential: HIGHEST IN CONUS—pocket $550/month in Del Rio. NO Texas state income tax saves $2,500-3,500/year (major win). VERY low cost of living + generous BAH = save $7,000-9,000/year. Shop in Mexico (groceries/dental/prescriptions 50-70% cheaper) = save even more. This is THE wealth-building assignment—max TSP (19% or $23,500 annual limit), pay off ALL debt, build 6-month emergency fund, invest aggressively. Graduate Laughlin financially ahead.

Pro Tips:

• Del Rio = sweet spot (pocket $550/month, 6-7/10 schools)
• NO Texas state income tax = save $2,500-3,500/year (major win)
• Shop in Mexico (Ciudad Acuña) = save 50-70% on groceries/alcohol/dental
• Commissary saves 20-30% vs off-base (Walmart, H-E-B)
• VERY LOW cost of living = save $7,000-9,000/year (HIGHEST in CONUS)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Del Rio (36K people) has a small-town border economy—military, healthcare, retail, and border trade. Civilian jobs exist but VERY lower-paying than major metros. Remote work is growing—many spouses work remotely.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. Healthcare: Val Verde Regional Medical Center (RN $50K-62K, admin $24K-36K)
2. On-Base Contractors: Lockheed Martin (admin, IT - $34K-48K)
3. Education: San Felipe Del Rio CISD (teachers start $40K)
4. Retail: Walmart, H-E-B (manager $26K-36K)
5. Border Trade: Customs, border patrol admin ($32K-46K)
6. Remote Work: Growing market ($40K-64K)

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $50,000-62,000
• On-base contractor (admin/IT): $34,000-48,000
• Teaching (TX): $40,000-50,000
• Border trade (admin): $32,000-46,000
• Remote work (varies): $40,000-64,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Laughlin AFB has NAF jobs (CDC, fitness, MWR)
• Airman & Family Readiness has job assistance programs
• MyCAA grants available for education/certifications
• Del Rio job market VERY small—remote work is CRITICAL

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 1-3 months (VERY SHORT wait, instructor-stable community)
• Off-Base Daycare: $85-115/week per child (VERY affordable)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $75-105/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $50-85/week

For Families:

• Schools: San Felipe Del Rio CISD (6-7/10) is decent
• Activities: Lake Amistad (boating, fishing), Seminole Canyon, Ciudad Acuña Mexico shopping/dining, San Antonio 2.5 hours
• Support: Strong military community, instructor families (stable, non-deploying lifestyle creates tight bonds)

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Common Questions About Laughlin AFB

Q: Is Laughlin AFB a good duty station? A: YES, if you value MINIMAL deployments and HIGHEST savings potential. Instructors stay CONUS (stable lifestyle, teach flying), pocket $550/month from BAH, save $7,000-9,000/year (HIGHEST in CONUS), NO Texas income tax (save $2,500-3,500/year), Del Rio schools decent (6-7/10), Mexico border 5 min (shopping/dining 50-70% cheaper). Trade-offs: VERY remote (2.5 hours from San Antonio, isolation), Del Rio is VERY small (36K people, limited nightlife), HOT/dry summers (95-105°F), border location (safety concerns). GREAT for instructors wanting stable assignment focused on MAXIMUM savings.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Both excellent. On-base wait is VERY SHORT (1-3 months), quality 7-8/10, convenient. Del Rio (6-7/10 schools) 5-10 min commute, pocket $550. Some choose Ciudad Acuña, Mexico ($500-700/month rent, VERY cheap) but daily border crossing + safety concerns. Del Rio is the safe, practical choice for families.

Q: How bad are the deployments? A: MINIMAL for instructors. 47th Flying Training Wing instructors stay CONUS—teach students to fly T-6, T-1, T-38 aircraft daily (non-deploying assignment). This is a MAJOR quality-of-life win. Stable 3+ year assignments, family-friendly lifestyle. Support/Mx also minimal deployments. This is one of the most stable assignments in the Air Force.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Challenging. Del Rio (36K people) has healthcare (RN $50K-62K), on-base contractors ($34K-48K), teaching ($40K-50K). Remote work is CRITICAL ($40K-64K). Job market is VERY small-town—VERY lower pay than major metros. Plan for remote work or single income with MASSIVE savings (pocket $7,000-9,000/year from low cost of living).

Q: Is the Mexico border safe? A: Mostly. Ciudad Acuña is relatively safe for daytime shopping/dining in tourist areas. Avoid downtown at night, stick to known restaurants/stores, go with groups. Border crossings have 15-30 min waits (SENTRI/Global Entry speeds up). Many military families cross weekly for shopping (groceries/alcohol 50-70% cheaper). Exercise caution, use common sense. Passport required to cross.

Q: Is Del Rio boring? A: YES. Del Rio (36K people) is VERY small border town—limited nightlife/dating. Lake Amistad (15 min, boating/fishing) is main attraction. Ciudad Acuña, Mexico (5 min, shopping/dining) adds variety. San Antonio 2.5 hours (Riverwalk, Alamo, weekend trips). Good for families focused on MAXIMUM savings, stable lifestyle. Not for entertainment seekers. You'll drive to San Antonio for big-city experiences.

Q: Can I save money at Laughlin? A: YES. This is the HIGHEST savings-per-dollar post in CONUS. Pocket $550/month from BAH (highest buffer), NO Texas state income tax (save $2,500-3,500/year), VERY LOW cost of living, shop in Mexico (save 50-70% on groceries/dental/prescriptions) = save $7,000-9,000/year minimum. Many save $10,000+/year by living frugally. Max your TSP, pay off ALL debt, build 6-month emergency fund. Graduate Laughlin financially ahead.

Q: What about the weather? A: HOT/dry summers: 95-105°F, low humidity (tolerable vs Gulf Coast humidity). AC runs constantly. Electric bills spike ($210-240/month peak). Mild winters (40-65°F). Semi-arid desert climate—dry heat is more bearable. Budget extra $500-700/year for summer AC.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

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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.