Malmstrom AFB PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Montana Living

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Malmstrom AFB is home to the 341st Missile Wing (150 Minuteman III ICBMs) with 3,500 active duty personnel. This is a pure nuclear deterrence mission in Great Falls, Montana—no bombers, just ICBMs. Cold winters (-20°F), but stunning mountain scenery and outdoor paradise.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Excellent fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house with $400-500 buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,150/month (very affordable)
• School Quality: Great Falls Public Schools are 6-7/10 (decent), limited private options
• Winter Reality: -20°F common (December-February), but milder than Minot

What This Guide Covers: Housing with real prices, school ratings, Great Falls local intel, and ICBM 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: Malmstrom Space Force Base (formerly Air Force Base)
• Location: Great Falls, MT (Cascade County) - 2 miles east of Great Falls
• Size: 4,900 acres (plus 13,800 square miles of missile fields)
• Population: 3,500 active duty + 7,000 total (civilians + dependents)
• Branch: Space Force (USSF Space Delta 4) - transferred from Air Force 2021
• Major Units: 341st Missile Wing (150 Minuteman III ICBMs), Space Delta 4
• Climate: Cold continental—cold winters (-20°F), hot summers (90°F), dry
• Nearest Major City: Billings, MT (3 hours southeast), Helena, MT (1.5 hours south)

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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 Great Falls neighborhoods with $400-500 left over. Housing is cheap—median rent is $1,150 vs E5 BAH ~$1,650. This is a money-saving post. Most live off-base because on-base housing waitlists are 6-10 months. Winters are cold (-20°F) but milder than Minot.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

🏆 Tier 1 - Best for Families (Live Here)

West Great Falls (Near Malmstrom):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,150/month
• Commute: 5-10 minutes to main gate
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Great Falls Public Schools—decent)
• Vibe: Suburban, family-friendly, closest to base
• Best Areas: Near 57th Street, Riverview area
• Why: Short commute, decent schools, pocket $400-500/month from BAH

Southwest Great Falls (Near River's Edge):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,200/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to gate
• Schools: 7/10 (Paris Gibson Education Center—best in town)
• Vibe: Newer developments, family-oriented, scenic
• Why: Best schools, near Missouri River trails, pocket $400/month

On-Base Housing (Privatized - Balfour Beatty):

• Cost: Free (BAH auto-deducted)
• Wait Time: 6-10 months
• Quality: 7/10 (renovated, decent condition)
• Schools: Bus to Great Falls Public Schools (6-7/10)
• Why: Convenience, short commute, heated garages

⚠️ Tier 2 - Livable But Research Carefully

Downtown Great Falls:

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,000/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6/10 (older schools, mixed quality)
• Vibe: Urban, older homes, mixed areas
• Trade-off: Cheaper rent ($1,000) but older homes, mixed safety

East Great Falls:

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,050/month
• Commute: 10-15 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6/10 (Great Falls Public Schools)
• Vibe: Older neighborhoods, affordable
• Why: Cheap rent, but farther from amenities

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

North Great Falls (High crime areas):

• Higher crime, poor schools (5-6/10)
• Not worth the $100-150/month savings

Rural Areas (Outside Great Falls):

• Too far (30-40 min commute), limited amenities
• Isolation in winter (snow/ice makes roads dangerous)

Pro Tip: West Great Falls is the best value—6-7/10 schools, 5-10 min commute, pocket $400-500/month. Southwest Great Falls has the best schools (7/10) but costs $1,200 (pocket $400). On-base is 7/10 but waitlists are 6-10 months. Avoid North Great Falls and rural areas.

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Schools

Top Elementary Schools

• Whittier Elementary (Southwest) - 7/10 - Best elementary in town
• Riverview Elementary (West) - 6/10 - Decent option
• Morningside Elementary (Central) - 6/10 - Average

Top Middle Schools

• East Middle School (Central) - 6/10 - Decent academics
• West Elementary (West) - 6/10 - Average

Top High Schools

• Great Falls High School (Central) - 7/10 - Main high school, solid academics
• CM Russell High School (South) - 7/10 - Good option
• Paris Gibson Education Center (Southwest) - 7/10 - Alternative/magnet school

Private Schools

• Great Falls Central Catholic (K-12) - 7/10 - Only private option (Catholic)

Schools to Avoid

• North Great Falls schools (older, 5-6/10)
• Rural schools outside town (4-5/10)

School District Reality: Great Falls Public Schools are 6-7/10 overall—decent but not great. Paris Gibson Education Center (7/10) is the best option (magnet school). Great Falls High (7/10) and CM Russell (7/10) are both solid. Great Falls Central Catholic (7/10) is the only private option. Schools are acceptable—families prioritize outdoor lifestyle over elite education.

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: -10% lower — Montana affordability
Housing: -12% lower — BAH covers rent with $400-500 buffer
Groceries: -6% lower — Commissary + off-base savings
Utilities: +15% higher — Heating costs (winter)

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in West Great Falls): $1,150
• Utilities (electric + heating): $220 (winter: $300-350)
• Groceries: $770
• Gas (commute + errands): $155
• Internet/Streaming: $90
• Kids (activities, daycare part-time): $330

Total: ~$2,715/month (winter: ~$2,875 with higher heating)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,450/month (covers housing + food, pocket $575-735)

State Taxes

• Montana: 4.7%-5.9% state income tax
• No sales tax: Montana has NO state sales tax (saves money)
• Military Benefit: Active duty can claim home state of record (tax advantage if from no-income-tax state)

BAH Reality: E5 with dependents BAH (~$1,650) covers West Great Falls rent ($1,150) with $500 left over. Live in Southwest Great Falls ($1,200, best schools) and pocket $450. Live on-base (free) and pocket entire BAH ($1,650). This is a money-saving post—use the buffer to save aggressively ($5,000-7,000/year extra).

Pro Tip: Off-base housing is the best value—pocket $400-500/month. Heating costs spike in winter ($300-350/month vs $150 summer). Budget extra $900-1,200/year for winter heating. On-base saves more ($1,650/month BAH) but waitlists are 6-10 months. Use this assignment to pay off debt and save serious money.

Winter Reality (December-February):

• Temperature: -10°F to -20°F common (not as brutal as Minot)
• Snowfall: 55-60 inches per year
• Wind: Moderate (10-20 mph, less than Minot)
• Duration: 3-4 months (December-March)

Mandatory Winter Gear:

• Block heater: Engine block heater + timer (REQUIRED for -20°F mornings)
• Remote starter: Start car 10-15 minutes before leaving
• Winter tires: All-season adequate, but winter tires better
• Parka (rated -20°F): North Face, Columbia, Patagonia
• Boots (rated -20°F): Sorel, Timberland

Winter Budget:

• Block heater + timer: $150-250
• Remote starter: $300-500
• Winter tires (optional): $600-800
• Parka + boots: $350-550
• Heating costs (extra): $900-1,200/year

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: Minimal (small town, 60K people)
• Best Routes: 10th Avenue South (main east-west), Highway 87 (north-south)
• Worst: None (no traffic congestion)
• Pro Tip: 5-20 minute commute from anywhere in Great Falls

Commissary & BX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings, early afternoons
• Worst Times: Weekends (packed), paydays
• Off-Base Alternative: Walmart, Target, Costco (all in Great Falls)

Things You Should Know

• ICBM mission: 150 Minuteman III missiles—nuclear deterrence only (no bombers)
• Missileers: Pull 24-48 hour alert shifts in underground capsules every 3-4 days
• Space Force: Base transferred to Space Force in 2021 (Space Delta 4)
• No deployments: Missileers stay CONUS—alert duty only
• Montana outdoor paradise: Glacier National Park (2 hours), Bob Marshall Wilderness, Missouri River, skiing
• Great Falls: 60K people, underrated city, friendly community

Hidden Gems

• Glacier National Park (2 hours north) - Iconic mountains, hiking, Going-to-the-Sun Road
• Missouri River (5 min) - Fly fishing, kayaking, trails
• Giant Springs State Park (10 min) - Crystal-clear springs, state fish hatchery
• Belt Creek Brewing (Downtown) - Local brewery, good food
• Showdown Ski Area (1 hour) - Small ski resort, affordable
• Bob Marshall Wilderness (2 hours) - Backcountry hiking, camping

Areas to Avoid

• North Great Falls (higher crime)
• Downtown late at night (some sketchy areas)

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What's It Like to Live at Malmstrom AFB?

Malmstrom AFB is home to the 341st Missile Wing—150 Minuteman III ICBMs spread across 13,800 square miles of Montana missile fields. If you're here, you're either a missileer pulling alert duty in underground capsules, maintaining missiles, or supporting the mission. No bombers, no deployments—pure nuclear deterrence. Missileers pull 24-48 hour shifts in underground Launch Control Centers (LCCs) every 3-4 days. The mission is strategic, stable, and CONUS-only.

Mission Reality:

• 341st Missile Wing (Missileers): NO deployments—pull 24-48 hour alert shifts in underground capsules every 3-4 days
• Space Delta 4: Space operations—mostly CONUS, some TDYs
• Maintenance/Support: Busy ops tempo, NO deployments

Quality of Life:

• Cold winters: -20°F (December-February), milder than Minot
• Montana outdoor paradise: Glacier National Park (2 hours), Missouri River (5 min), skiing, hiking, fishing
• Affordable: BAH covers rent with $400-500 buffer, save $5,000-7,000/year
• Schools: 6-7/10 (decent, not great)
• Great Falls: 60K people, friendly, underrated city

The Good:

• NO deployments (missileers stay CONUS, alert duty only)
• Very affordable (pocket $400-500/month from BAH)
• Montana outdoor paradise (Glacier NP, Missouri River, skiing, hiking)
• Tight-knit community (small base, everyone knows everyone)
• Low crime, safe neighborhoods
• No state sales tax (Montana)

The Not-So-Good:

• Cold winters (-20°F, 3-4 months)
• Remote (60K people, 3 hours from Billings, 4 hours from Missoula)
• Schools are 6-7/10 (decent but not great)
• Limited shopping/dining (small town)
• Alert duty is isolating (24-48 hours underground every 3-4 days)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: -10% lower — Montana affordability
Housing: -12% lower — BAH covers rent with buffer
Groceries: -6% lower — Commissary saves 20-30%
Utilities: +15% higher — Heating costs (winter)

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in West Great Falls): $1,150
• Utilities (electric + heating): $220 (winter: $300-350)
• Groceries: $770
• Gas (commute + errands): $155
• Internet/Cable: $90
• Childcare (part-time): $330
• Car Insurance: $105
• Misc (restaurants, entertainment): $140

Total: ~$2,960/month (winter: ~$3,120 with higher heating)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,450/month (covers housing + food, pocket $490-330 in winter)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH (~$1,650) covers West Great Falls rent ($1,150) with $500 left over. Live in Southwest Great Falls ($1,200, best schools) and pocket $450. Live on-base (free) and pocket entire BAH ($1,650).

Savings Potential: Very high—pocket $400-500/month off-base, or $1,650/month on-base. Low cost of living + cheap housing = save $5,000-7,000/year extra. Use this assignment to aggressively pay off debt, save for house down payment, or invest. Budget extra $900-1,200/year for winter heating.

Pro Tips:

• Live off-base in West Great Falls (pocket $500/month, best value)
• Southwest Great Falls has best schools (7/10) but only pocket $450/month
• Commissary saves 20-30% vs off-base (Walmart, Target)
• No state sales tax (Montana saves $500-800/year vs sales tax states)
• Use BAH buffer to save aggressively (this is a money-making post)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Great Falls is a small city (60K people) with limited civilian job opportunities. Most spouse employment is on-base (NAF, contractors), healthcare, or remote work. Off-base options are limited to retail, healthcare, or education. Remote work is the best bet for professional spouses.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. On-Base Contractors: Northrop Grumman, Jacobs (admin, IT - $42K-62K)
2. NAF (Base Services): CDC, fitness, MWR ($27K-37K)
3. Healthcare: Benefis Health System (Great Falls hospital), RN $58K-73K, admin $34K-48K
4. Retail: Walmart, Target (cashier, manager - $27K-39K)
5. Education: Great Falls Public Schools (teachers start $39K)
6. Remote Work: Best option for professional spouses ($50K-78K)

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $58,000-73,000
• On-base contractor (admin/IT): $42,000-62,000
• Teaching (MT): $39,000-52,000
• Retail (manager): $29,000-39,000
• Remote work (varies): $50,000-78,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Malmstrom 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 city)

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 7-10 months (get on list at PCS orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $115-155/week per child (affordable)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $105-145/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $80-125/week

For Families:

• Schools: 6-7/10 (decent but not great)
• Activities: Glacier National Park, Missouri River, skiing, hiking, fishing
• Support: Tight-knit spouse community (small base, everyone knows everyone)

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Common Questions About Malmstrom AFB

Q: Is Malmstrom AFB a good duty station? A: Yes, especially if you value NO deployments, outdoor lifestyle, and affordable living. Missileers stay CONUS (alert duty only), pocket $400-500/month from BAH, and Glacier National Park is 2 hours away. Winters are cold (-20°F) but milder than Minot. Schools are 6-7/10 (decent). If you want deployments or city life, no.

Q: How bad are the winters? A: Cold but manageable. -10°F to -20°F common (December-February), 55-60 inches snow per year. Not as brutal as Minot (-40°F). Block heater + remote starter recommended. Budget extra $900-1,200/year for winter heating. But Montana is beautiful—skiing, Glacier NP, outdoor paradise.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base is better for most. On-base waitlists are 6-10 months, quality is 7/10. Live in West Great Falls ($1,150, 6-7/10 schools) and pocket $500/month. Southwest Great Falls ($1,200, best schools 7/10) pocket $450. If you get on-base housing, it's free (pocket entire BAH $1,650).

Q: What's the ICBM mission like? A: Strategic—150 Minuteman III missiles, nuclear deterrence only. Missileers pull 24-48 hour alert shifts in underground capsules (LCCs) every 3-4 days. NO deployments—you stay CONUS entire assignment. Serious mission, high security, but stable lifestyle. If you want action/deployments, this isn't it.

Q: Can I avoid alert duty? A: Only if you're not a missileer. Missileers pull 24-48 hour shifts in underground capsules every 3-4 days (no exceptions). Maintenance/support units have normal schedules, no alert duty. Space Force has TDYs but mostly CONUS work.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Tough. Great Falls is small (60K people), limited jobs. On-base contractors ($42K-62K) and NAF ($27K-37K) are best bets. Off-base market is weak (retail, healthcare, teaching). Remote work is ideal for professional spouses ($50K-78K). Don't expect high-paying off-base work.

Q: What's there to do in Great Falls? A: Outdoor paradise: Glacier National Park (2 hours), Missouri River (5 min—fly fishing, kayaking), Giant Springs State Park (10 min), Showdown Ski Area (1 hour), Bob Marshall Wilderness (2 hours). Downtown has breweries, restaurants. If you love outdoors, you'll thrive. If you need city amenities, limited.

Q: Is it really that isolated? A: Somewhat. Great Falls has 60K people (bigger than Minot 48K). Billings is 3 hours, Missoula is 4 hours, Helena is 1.5 hours. Glacier NP is 2 hours (worth the drive). You'll drive to Billings monthly for shopping/dining. If you need city amenities weekly, you'll feel isolated.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

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

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4. Ask the Expert

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• Malmstrom AFB-specific questions
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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.