Peterson Space Force Base PCS Complete Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Local Intel

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Peterson Space Force Base is home to Space Operations Command and the 21st Space Wing with 7,000 military personnel and 9,000 civilians, serving as a key space operations center.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Good fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR with modest buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,800/month (moderate, competitive market)
• School Quality: Variable—D20 (8-9/10) is excellent, D11 (5-7/10) is mixed, avoid D2 (4-5/10)
• Cost of Living: 10% above national average

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

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Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Peterson Space Force Base
• Location: Colorado Springs, CO (El Paso County) / Adjacent to Colorado Springs Airport
• Size: 1,277 acres
• Population: 7,000 military + 9,000 civilians
• Branch: Space Force (formerly Air Force)
• Major Units: Space Operations Command, 21st Space Wing, NORAD, Air Force Space Command (historical)
• Climate: Semi-arid mountain - warm summers (75-90°F), cold winters (15-45°F), 300+ days sun/year, low humidity
• Nearest Major City: Colorado Springs (adjacent), Denver (65 miles north)

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 in good areas with modest buffer. Colorado Springs housing market is competitive but manageable. North/Northeast (D20 schools) push BAH limits but doable. Central/South (D11) fit comfortably. Avoid Fountain (D2) despite low rent—school quality poor. Higher ranks have comfortable cushion.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

Top Tier - Best Value

1. Powers Corridor / Stetson Hills (D20 North)

• Median Rent: $1,850/month (3BR house)
• Commute: 15-20 min to Peterson
• Schools: 8-9/10 (District 20 - best in Colorado Springs)
• Why It's Good: Best schools, newer construction, safe, family-oriented, master-planned communities
• Watch Out For: Pushes BAH limits ($100-200/month out-of-pocket for E5), high demand

2. Briargate / Chapel Hills (D20 Central)

• Median Rent: $1,900/month
• Commute: 10-15 min to Peterson
• Schools: 8-9/10 (District 20)
• Why It's Good: Best schools, established neighborhoods, safe, convenient to base
• Watch Out For: Above BAH for junior enlisted ($150-250/month out-of-pocket), competitive market

3. Widefield / Security-Widefield (D3)

• Median Rent: $1,650/month
• Commute: 5-10 min to Peterson (closest)
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Widefield School District 3)
• Why It's Good: Close to base, affordable, fits BAH comfortably, decent schools
• Watch Out For: Older neighborhoods, less amenities than D20 areas

Affordable Options

Southeast Colorado Springs (D11)

• Median Rent: $1,700/month
• Commute: 15-20 min to Peterson
• Schools: 5-7/10 (District 11 - highly variable by specific school)
• Why Know: Affordable, fits BAH, close enough to base
• Reality: School quality varies wildly—research exact address assignments

Avoid / Know What You're Getting Into

Fountain, CO (D2)

• Why Avoid: Poor schools (4-5/10), higher crime than other areas
• Rent: $1,500/month (affordable for a reason)
• Reality: Not worth the savings—schools and safety issues

Downtown Colorado Springs (D11 Central)

• Why Know: Older homes, transient population, parking challenges
• Rent: $1,600-1,700
• Schools: 5-6/10
• Verdict: Only if you want urban lifestyle and don't have kids

On-Base Housing

Peterson SFB Family Housing (managed by Tierra Vista 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 (K-8)
• Cons: Waitlist, older homes (some renovated), jet noise from airport
• Wait List: E5-E6 typically 5-7 months
• Verdict: Solid option for convenience and budget certainty

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Schools

Best School District:

Academy School District 20 (Top Choice)

• Rating: 8-9/10
• Standout Schools:
  • Pine Creek High School (9/10)
  • Liberty High School (9/10)
  • Air Academy High School (9/10)
  • Discovery Canyon Campus (K-12, 9/10)
• Why Good: Best-funded district in Colorado Springs, excellent academics, modern facilities, strong programs, high test scores
• Reality: Worth paying $100-250/month above BAH for families with school-age kids
• Link: Academy D20

Widefield School District 3

• Rating: 6-7/10
• Standout Schools:
  • Widefield High School (7/10)
• Why Good: Decent academics, close to base, affordable, improving district

Schools to Research Carefully:

Colorado Springs School District 11

• Rating: 5-7/10 (extremely variable by specific school)
• Why Research: Some individual schools are solid (Palmer High 7/10, Doherty High 6/10), but many struggle (3-5/10)
• Reality: District quality varies more than any other in Colorado Springs—research exact address school assignments before signing lease

Schools to Avoid:

Fountain-Fort Carson School District 2

• Rating: 4-5/10
• Why Avoid: Low test scores, funding challenges, safety concerns

DoDEA Schools On Base:

Peterson Elementary School (K-5)

DoDEA Quality: 6-7/10, convenient for on-base residents, better than D2/D11 weak schools but not as strong as D20.

Pro Tip: Live in District 20 (Powers, Briargate, Chapel Hills) if you have school-age kids. The extra $100-250/month is worth it. Widefield D3 is acceptable for budget-conscious families. Avoid D2 (Fountain) entirely.

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

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Local Intel

Cost of Living

Overall: 10% higher — Mountain West pricing
Housing: 15% higher — Competitive market
Groceries: 5% higher — Standard supermarket prices
Utilities: At average — Moderate electric/gas
Gas: At average — Colorado fuel prices

Traffic & Commute

• Morning Rush: 7-9 AM moderate on I-25, Powers Blvd, Academy Blvd
• Afternoon Rush: 4-6 PM moderate, manageable
• Reality: Colorado Springs traffic is mild compared to major cities. 15-25 min commutes are normal. I-25 to Denver (65 miles) backs up frequently—Monument Hill is bottleneck.

Weather Reality

• Summer: 75-90°F, dry heat, afternoon thunderstorms (brief)
• Winter: 15-45°F, snow common but melts quickly (300+ days sun), wind chills cold
• Spring/Fall: Beautiful, mild, sunny
• Reality: Four seasons but mild compared to East Coast/Midwest. Sun melts snow within days. Altitude (6,035 ft) takes adjustment—drink water, expect shortness of breath first month. Air is very dry.

Commissary & Shopping

• Commissary: On-base (Peterson), well-stocked, busy weekends
• Commissary: Fort Carson (15 min south), larger, alternative option
• King Soopers: Local Kroger brand, competitive prices, fuel points
• Walmart/Target: Multiple locations
• Chapel Hills Mall, Citadel Mall: Main shopping areas

Things to Do

• Outdoor Recreation: Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing
• Pro Hockey: Colorado Eagles (AHL)
• Olympic Training Center: Free tours
• Manitou Springs: Quirky mountain town, shops, restaurants
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: Excellent zoo, mountain views
• Denver: 65 miles north, pro sports (Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, Avalanche), entertainment
• Skiing: Multiple resorts 1.5-2.5 hours (Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Copper Mountain)
• Rocky Mountain National Park: 3 hours north

What to Avoid

• Don't: Live in Fountain (D2 schools are poor)
• Don't: Ignore altitude adjustment—drink water, avoid heavy exercise first week
• Don't: Underestimate winter driving—black ice and sudden storms common
• Don't: Forget sunscreen—altitude + low humidity = severe sunburn risk

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What's It Like to Live at Peterson SFB?

Peterson SFB is a mountain paradise space operations post with excellent quality of life shaped by Colorado outdoor culture, beautiful weather, and space mission.

Deployment Tempo:

• Space Operations Command: Low—most missions CONUS-based
• 21st Space Wing: Low to moderate—TDYs for exercises, rare deployments
• NORAD: Low—stay CONUS for continental defense mission
• Reality: Peterson is primarily a space operations and support base—deployments are rare. TDYs happen but limited.

Quality of Life Assessment: 8.5/10

Pros:

• Exceptional outdoor recreation (hiking, skiing, climbing, biking)
• 300+ days of sunshine, beautiful weather
• Excellent schools available (District 20)
• Low deployment tempo (family stability)
• Strong military community (5 bases in Colorado Springs area)

Cons:

• Housing market competitive (high demand, limited inventory)
• Altitude adjustment required (6,000+ ft)
• Winter driving challenging (ice, snow, sudden storms)
• Cost of living above national average

The Verdict: Peterson is a top-tier assignment for families who love outdoor activities, active lifestyles, and beautiful weather. It's not ideal if you hate cold, need sea-level climate, or want big-city nightlife (Denver is 65 miles).

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base): $1,800
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $200
• Groceries: $750
• Gas/Transportation: $280
• Childcare (1 child, if needed): $850
• Internet/Phone: $160
• Misc/Entertainment: $350
• Total: $4,390

BAH vs. Reality:

BAH Coverage: Good—BAH covers rent in most areas with modest buffer. District 20 (best schools) pushes limits ($100-250/month out-of-pocket for E5). Widefield and Southeast fit comfortably. Senior enlisted and officers have comfortable cushion.

State Tax Reality:

Colorado: Flat state income tax (4.4%). Moderate—not as high as California but not tax-free like Texas. E5 with family pays ~$1,100-1,600/year in state taxes.

Savings Potential:

Good. BAH covers housing with buffer, cost of living is manageable, and outdoor recreation is often free/cheap. Families can save $200-400/month if disciplined and avoid expensive mountain hobbies (skiing adds up fast).

Money-Saving Tips:

1. Live in Widefield or Southeast: Save $150-250/month vs D20, accept school tradeoff
2. Shop King Soopers fuel points: 4x points on gift cards, free gas
3. Use free outdoor recreation: Garden of the Gods, Pike National Forest, trails everywhere
4. Buy ski passes early: Season passes pay for themselves after 3-4 trips (vs day tickets)
5. Shop Fort Carson commissary: Often better stocked and less crowded than Peterson

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality:

Colorado Springs has a moderate job market dominated by military, defense contractors, healthcare, and tourism.

Realistic Expectations:

• Defense contractors hire heavily (space, cyber, engineering)
• Healthcare growing (UCHealth, Penrose-St. Francis)
• Tourism/hospitality seasonal but abundant
• Remote work excellent option (good infrastructure, tech companies hiring remote)

Top Spouse Employers:

1. Peterson SFB / Schriever SFB / Cheyenne Mountain Civilian Jobs: Admin, IT, engineering, space operations ($20-40/hr)
2. Defense Contractors (Lockheed, Northrop, Boeing, Raytheon, SAIC): Technical roles, security clearance preferred ($26-55/hr)
3. UCHealth / Penrose-St. Francis Health: Nurses, medical admin, healthcare ($20-36/hr)
4. Academy School District / Harrison D11: Teachers, paraprofessionals, admin ($17-28/hr)
5. Remote Work: Excellent option for professionals (tech, marketing, finance)

Military Spouse Preference:

Peterson and surrounding bases have active MSP hiring. Competition is moderate to high—apply consistently 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: $750-950/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), fitness centers, bowling
• Colorado Springs Attractions: Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Olympic Training Center

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Common Questions About Peterson SFB

Q: How's the altitude adjustment?
A: Takes 1-2 weeks. Drink tons of water (3-4 liters/day), avoid heavy exercise first week, expect shortness of breath. Most people adjust fine. Some never fully adapt.

Q: Will BAH cover housing in good school zones?
A: Yes, but tight. District 20 (best schools) pushes BAH limits—expect $100-250/month out-of-pocket for E5. Widefield fits comfortably but schools are 6-7/10 vs D20's 8-9/10.

Q: What about schools?
A: District 20 (Powers, Briargate, Chapel Hills) is best (8-9/10). Widefield D3 is acceptable (6-7/10). District 11 varies wildly (5-7/10). Avoid Fountain D2 (4-5/10).

Q: How bad is the winter?
A: Mild compared to East Coast/Midwest. Snow common but melts within days (300+ days sun). Black ice and sudden storms are real dangers—winter tires recommended.

Q: Is skiing really that good?
A: World-class. Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Copper Mountain all 1.5-2.5 hours away. Season passes pay for themselves. It's expensive but incredible.

Q: Do people deploy from Peterson?
A: Rarely. Space operations mission is mostly CONUS. TDYs happen (exercises, training), but full deployments are uncommon compared to operational wings.

Q: Is Peterson family-friendly?
A: Extremely. Outdoor recreation culture, excellent schools (D20), low deployment tempo, safe communities. One of the best family assignments in the military.

Q: What's there to do?
A: Outdoor paradise. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, camping everywhere. Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Rocky Mountains. Denver 65 miles for big-city amenities.

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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.