Moody AFB PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & South Georgia Living

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Moody AFB is home to the 23rd Wing (A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog") and 347th Rescue Group (HC-130J, HH-60G) with 5,000 active duty personnel. This is a close air support and combat search & rescue mission in rural South Georgia. Low cost of living, decent schools, but remote location and hot/humid climate.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Comfortable fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house with $350-400 buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,250/month (affordable for Southeast)
• School Quality: Lowndes County (6-7/10) is decent, avoid some Valdosta City schools (5-6/10)
• Remote: 2.5 hours from Jacksonville, 3.5 hours from Atlanta (isolation factor)

What This Guide Covers: Housing with real prices, school ratings, Valdosta South Georgia intel, and A-10/rescue 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: Moody Air Force Base
• Location: Valdosta, GA (Lowndes County) - 10 miles northeast of Valdosta
• Size: 5,900 acres
• Population: 5,000 active duty + 12,000 total (civilians + dependents)
• Branch: Air Force (ACC - Air Combat Command)
• Major Units: 23rd Wing (A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog"), 347th Rescue Group (HC-130J, HH-60G Pave Hawk)
• Climate: Humid subtropical South Georgia—hot/humid summers (90-98°F), mild winters (45-65°F)
• Nearest Major City: Valdosta, GA (adjacent, 60K people), Jacksonville, FL (2.5 hours south), Atlanta, GA (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 good neighborhoods—Lowndes County schools (6-7/10, best) or North Valdosta. E5 BAH (~$1,600) covers median rent ($1,250) with $350 left over. This is a moderate savings post—low cost of living but BAH is not as generous as other GA bases.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

🏆 Tier 1 - Best for Families (Live Here)

North Valdosta (Near I-75, Lowndes County schools):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,250/month
• Commute: 10-15 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Lowndes County—best in area)
• Vibe: Suburban, family-friendly, newer development
• Best Areas: Near Hahira Road, Five Points area
• Why: Best schools, safe, pocket $350/month

Hahira, GA (North of base, small town):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,200/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Lowndes County)
• Vibe: Small town (3K people), quiet, rural
• Why: Good schools, quiet, pocket $400/month

On-Base Housing (Privatized - Hunt Military Communities):

• Cost: Free (BAH auto-deducted)
• Wait Time: 4-8 months (moderate)
• Quality: 7/10 (renovated, decent)
• Schools: Bus to Valdosta City or Lowndes County (6-7/10)
• Why: Convenience, no commute, pocket any excess BAH

⚠️ Tier 2 - Livable But Research Carefully

South Valdosta (Near Valdosta State University):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,150/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to gate
• Schools: 5-6/10 (Valdosta City—weaker)
• Vibe: College town feel, mixed areas
• Trade-off: Cheap rent but weaker schools

East Valdosta:

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,100/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to gate
• Schools: 5-6/10 (Valdosta City—mixed)
• Vibe: Older neighborhoods, mixed
• Why: Affordable but lower school quality

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

West Valdosta:

• Higher crime, schools 4-5/10, industrial areas
• Not worth the $100-150/month savings

Lake Park, GA (south):

• Too far (25-30 min commute), limited amenities
• Only for extreme budget or rural lifestyle

Pro Tip: North Valdosta (6-7/10 schools, Lowndes County) is the gold standard—best schools in area, 10-15 min commute, pocket $350. Hahira (6-7/10 schools, small town) pocket $400. Avoid Valdosta City schools (5-6/10) unless childless. On-base is convenient (7/10 quality) and may pocket excess BAH.

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Schools

Top Elementary Schools

• Dewar Elementary (Lowndes County) - 7/10 - Best elementary near base
• Hahira Elementary (Lowndes County) - 7/10 - Solid option
• Pine Grove Elementary (Lowndes County) - 6/10 - Decent

Top Middle Schools

• Lowndes Middle (Lowndes County) - 7/10 - Best middle school near base
• Hahira Middle (Lowndes County) - 6/10 - Decent

Top High Schools

• Lowndes High School (Lowndes County) - 7/10 - Best high school near base
• Valdosta High School (Valdosta City) - 6/10 - Average

Private Schools

• Valwood School (Valdosta) - 7/10 - Christian private (PK-12, $6K-9K/year)
• Open Bible Christian School (Valdosta) - 6/10 - Small Christian school

Schools to Avoid

• West Valdosta City schools - 4-5/10 - Struggling
• Some East Valdosta schools - 5-6/10 - Mixed quality

School District Strategy: Lowndes County Schools (6-7/10) are the best near Moody—worth living in North Valdosta or Hahira. Valdosta City Schools (5-6/10) are weaker—avoid unless childless. Private schools are limited—Valwood School (7/10, $6K-9K/year) is best option.

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: -12% lower — South Georgia affordability
Housing: -15% lower — BAH covers rent with $350-400 buffer
Groceries: -8% lower — Commissary + off-base savings
Utilities: +10% higher — Hot/humid summers, AC runs constantly

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in North Valdosta): $1,250
• Utilities (electric + AC): $185 (summer: $240-280)
• Groceries: $770
• Gas (commute + errands): $160
• Internet/Streaming: $88
• Kids (activities, daycare part-time): $330

Total: ~$2,783/month (summer: ~$2,878 with higher AC)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,500/month (covers housing + food, pocket $622-717)

State Taxes

• Georgia: 1%-5.75% state income tax (graduated, moderate)
• No local taxes: Valdosta 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 (~$1,600) covers North Valdosta rent ($1,250) with $350 left over. Live in Hahira ($1,200, small town 6-7/10 schools) and pocket $400. On-base is free (BAH deducted automatically, may pocket excess). Budget $240-280/month for summer AC (hot/humid).

Pro Tip: North Valdosta is the sweet spot—6-7/10 schools, pocket $350/month. Hahira is quieter (small town 3K people) and pocket $400. Low cost of living + moderate BAH = save $4,000-5,000/year. Budget extra $600-800/year for summer AC spike.

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: 7-8am, 4:30-5:30pm (light—small city)
• Best Routes: I-75 (north-south), US-84 (east-west), Georgia State Route 122
• Worst: I-75 in summer (some tourist traffic to Florida)
• Pro Tip: 10-20 minute commute from suburbs, minimal traffic

Commissary & BX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings, early afternoons
• Worst Times: Weekends (busier), paydays
• Off-Base Alternative: Walmart, Publix, Winn-Dixie (Valdosta)

Things You Should Know

• A-10 mission: 23rd Wing (A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog")—close air support, ground attack
• Rescue mission: 347th Rescue Group (HC-130J Combat King II, HH-60G Pave Hawk)—combat search & rescue (CSAR)
• Moderate deployments: A-10 crews deploy regularly (Middle East, Europe), rescue crews frequent TDYs
• Remote location: 2.5 hours from Jacksonville, 3.5 hours from Atlanta (isolation)
• Hot/humid summers: 90-98°F + 70-80% humidity, AC runs constantly
• Valdosta is small: 60K people, feels small-town vs major metros

Hidden Gems

• Wild Adventures Theme Park (Valdosta) - Roller coasters, water park, concerts
• Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area (20 min) - Hiking, wildlife viewing, rare ecosystem
• Moody Nature Center (Valdosta) - Trails, planetarium
• Okefenokee Swamp (1 hour) - Canoe tours, alligators, pristine swamp
• Jekyll Island, GA (2 hours) - Beaches, historic district
• St. Augustine, FL (2 hours) - Historic city, beaches

Areas to Avoid

• West Valdosta (higher crime, weaker schools)
• Downtown Valdosta at night (some sketchy areas)

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What's It Like to Live at Moody AFB?

Moody AFB is home to the 23rd Wing (A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog") and 347th Rescue Group (HC-130J, HH-60G). If you're here, you're either flying/maintaining A-10s, flying/maintaining rescue aircraft, or supporting operations. The mission is close air support (A-10s protect ground troops) and combat search & rescue (rescue crews extract personnel from hostile areas). A-10 crews deploy regularly to Middle East/Europe (moderate tempo), and rescue crews have frequent TDYs. This is a flying mission in rural South Georgia—hot, humid, remote, but low cost of living.

Mission Reality:

• 23rd Wing (A-10C "Warthog"): Close air support, ground attack, moderate deployments (Middle East, Europe, 4-6 months)
• 347th Rescue Group (HC-130J, HH-60G): Combat search & rescue (CSAR), frequent TDYs/deployments
• Support/Mx: Moderate deployment tempo
• Flying community: Tight-knit A-10 culture, rescue community is elite

Quality of Life:

• Low cost of living: Pocket $350-400/month from BAH, save $4,000-5,000/year
• Schools: Lowndes County (6-7/10) is decent, avoid Valdosta City (5-6/10)
• Remote: 2.5 hours from Jacksonville, 3.5 hours from Atlanta (isolation)
• Hot/humid summers: 90-98°F + 70-80% humidity (brutal)
• Valdosta is small: 60K people, limited entertainment
• Wild Adventures: Theme park 10 min from base (roller coasters, water park)

The Good:

• Low cost of living (pocket $350-400/month from BAH)
• A-10 community is legendary (tight-knit, close air support culture)
• Rescue community is elite (CSAR missions, respected)
• Wild Adventures theme park (10 min, family fun)
• Lowndes County schools are decent (6-7/10)
• Okefenokee Swamp (1 hour, canoe tours, alligators)
• Low traffic (10-20 min commute)
• Georgia income tax moderate (1-5.75%)

The Not-So-Good:

• Remote location (2.5 hours from Jacksonville, isolation)
• Moderate deployments (A-10 crews, rescue frequent TDYs)
• Hot/humid summers are brutal (90-98°F + 70-80% humidity)
• Valdosta is small (60K people, limited nightlife/dating)
• Valdosta City schools are weak (5-6/10)
• AC runs constantly (high summer electric bills)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: -12% lower — South Georgia affordability
Housing: -15% lower — BAH covers rent with buffer
Groceries: -8% lower — Commissary saves 20-30%
Utilities: +10% higher — AC runs constantly in summer

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in North Valdosta): $1,250
• Utilities (electric + AC): $185 (summer: $240-280)
• Groceries: $770
• Gas (commute + errands): $160
• Internet/Cable: $88
• Childcare (part-time): $330
• Car Insurance: $115 (GA is moderate)
• Misc (restaurants, entertainment): $130

Total: ~$3,028/month (summer: ~$3,123 with higher AC)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,500/month (covers housing + food, pocket $377-472)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH (~$1,600) covers North Valdosta rent ($1,250) with $350 left over. Live in Hahira ($1,200, small town 6-7/10 schools) and pocket $400. On-base is free (BAH auto-deducted, may pocket excess).

Savings Potential: Moderate—pocket $350-400/month in good neighborhoods. Low cost of living + moderate BAH = save $4,000-5,000/year. Budget extra $600-800/year for summer AC spike. Use this assignment to pay off debt or build emergency fund.

Pro Tips:

• North Valdosta = sweet spot (pocket $350/month, 6-7/10 schools)
• Hahira = small town quiet (pocket $400/month, 6-7/10 schools)
• Commissary saves 20-30% vs off-base (Walmart, Publix)
• Georgia has moderate income tax (1-5.75%, save $1,000-1,500/year vs high-tax states)
• Budget extra $600-800/year for summer AC (hot/humid)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Valdosta metro (60K people) has a small-town economy—healthcare, education (Valdosta State University), retail, and military. Civilian jobs exist but lower-paying than major metros. Remote work is growing—many spouses work remotely.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. Healthcare: South Georgia Medical Center (RN $54K-66K, admin $28K-40K)
2. On-Base Contractors: Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics (admin, IT - $38K-52K)
3. Education: Lowndes County, Valdosta City schools, VSU (teachers start $40K)
4. Valdosta State University: Staff roles ($26K-42K)
5. Retail: Ashley Furniture, Walmart, Publix (manager $28K-38K)
6. Remote Work: Growing market ($42K-68K)

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $54,000-66,000
• On-base contractor (admin/IT): $38,000-52,000
• Teaching (GA): $40,000-52,000
• VSU staff: $26,000-42,000
• Remote work (varies): $42,000-68,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Moody AFB has NAF jobs (CDC, fitness, MWR)
• Airman & Family Readiness has job assistance programs
• MyCAA grants available for education/certifications
• Valdosta job market small—remote work is best bet

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 4-8 months (get on list at PCS orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $100-140/week per child (affordable)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $90-130/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $65-105/week

For Families:

• Schools: Lowndes County (6-7/10) is decent, avoid Valdosta City (5-6/10)
• Activities: Wild Adventures theme park, Okefenokee Swamp, Grand Bay trails
• Support: Strong military community, family-friendly culture

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Common Questions About Moody AFB

Q: Is Moody AFB a good duty station? A: YES, if you value low cost of living and A-10/rescue culture. Pocket $350-400/month from BAH, Lowndes County schools decent (6-7/10), A-10 community is legendary, rescue community is elite. Trade-offs: remote (2.5 hours from Jacksonville, isolation), moderate deployments (A-10/rescue crews), hot/humid summers (90-98°F + 70-80% humidity), Valdosta is small (60K people). Good for families focused on saving, A-10 enthusiasts.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base is better for most. North Valdosta (6-7/10 schools) 10-15 min commute, pocket $350. Hahira (6-7/10 schools, small town 3K people) 15-20 min, pocket $400. On-base waitlist 4-8 months, quality 7/10, convenient. On-base may pocket excess BAH if your rank BAH exceeds average rent.

Q: How bad are the deployments? A: Moderate for A-10 crews (4-6 month rotations to Middle East, Europe), frequent TDYs for rescue crews (worldwide CSAR missions). Support/Mx moderate tempo. If you're flying or maintaining aircraft, expect regular deployments. Not as bad as fighter wings but not a non-deploying assignment either.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Yes, but limited. Valdosta (60K people) has healthcare (RN $54K-66K), on-base contractors ($38K-52K), teaching ($40K-52K), and VSU staff ($26K-42K). Remote work is best bet ($42K-68K). Job market is small-town—lower pay than major metros. Plan for remote work or on-base NAF jobs.

Q: What's the A-10 community like? A: Legendary. 23rd Wing (A-10C "Warthog") has tight-knit close air support culture—ground pounders love A-10s. Pilots/maintainers take pride in the mission (protect ground troops). Rescue community (347th Rescue Group) is elite—CSAR missions, highly respected. Strong flying community overall.

Q: Is Valdosta boring? A: Depends. Small town (60K people) feels quiet after living in big cities. Wild Adventures theme park (10 min, roller coasters, water park) is a win for families. Okefenokee Swamp (1 hour, canoe tours, alligators) is cool. Jacksonville 2.5 hours, Atlanta 3.5 hours (isolation). Good for families focused on saving, not for nightlife/entertainment seekers.

Q: How hot does it get? A: Hot/humid summers: 90-98°F + 70-80% humidity. AC runs constantly. Electric bills spike ($240-280/month peak). Mild winters (45-65°F). South Georgia humidity is REAL—better than Gulf Coast but still oppressive.

Q: Can I save money at Moody? A: Yes. Moderate savings post. Pocket $350-400/month from BAH, low cost of living = save $4,000-5,000/year. Not as high-savings as Dyess AFB (TX no income tax) but still decent. Pay off debt, build emergency fund, max TSP contributions.

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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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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.