Travis AFB PCS Complete Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Local Intel
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)
Travis AFB is the Air Force's "Gateway to the Pacific" and AMC's West Coast hub with 13,000 military personnel and 4,000 civilians, serving as the busiest Air Mobility Command base.
Key Numbers:
- BAH vs. Rent: Inadequate (E5 BAH falls $400-600/month short of median 3BR in good areas)
- Median 3BR Rent: $2,100/month (Bay Area pricing spillover—expensive)
- School Quality: Good—Vacaville Unified (7-8/10) best, Fairfield-Suisun (6-7/10) acceptable
- Cost of Living: 30% above national average
What This Guide Covers: Housing neighborhoods with real prices, school ratings by name, and Solano County military life intel.
Quick Facts
Installation Overview:
- Official Name: Travis Air Force Base
- Location: Fairfield, CA (Solano County) / Between Sacramento and San Francisco
- Size: 6,383 acres
- Population: 13,000 military + 4,000 civilians
- Branch: Air Force (Air Mobility Command, 60th Air Mobility Wing)
- Major Units: 60th AMW, 615th Contingency Response Wing, 349th Air Mobility Wing (Reserve), 349th Air Refueling Squadron
- Climate: Mediterranean - hot dry summers (85-100°F), mild wet winters (40-60°F), comfortable spring/fall
- Nearest Major Cities: Sacramento (45 miles east), San Francisco (55 miles west, 90 min with traffic)
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)
BAH Rates
BAH Rates for Travis AFB
Official rates from DFAS (updated annually in our database)
BAH rates are updated annually by DFAS. Actual amount depends on your rank, dependency status, and duty station. These rates are tax-free and designed to cover average housing costs in your area.
BAH rates sourced from Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), updated annually. See official source →
Reality Check: For E5 with dependents, BAH is insufficient for decent neighborhoods—you'll pay $400-600/month out-of-pocket in Vacaville (best schools). Fairfield fits BAH better but school quality lags. Bay Area housing costs ripple effect into Solano County. Senior enlisted have more cushion but still feel California pricing squeeze.
Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)
Top Tier - Best Value (But Above BAH)
1. Vacaville, CA (North)
- Median Rent: $2,200/month (3BR house)
- Commute: 15-20 min to Travis
- Schools: 7-8/10 (Vacaville Unified - best in area)
- Why It's Good: Best schools, safer than Fairfield, family-oriented, shopping/dining
- Watch Out For: Above BAH for E5 ($400-600/month out-of-pocket)
2. Dixon, CA (Northeast)
- Median Rent: $1,950/month
- Commute: 20-25 min to Travis
- Schools: 6-7/10 (Dixon Unified - solid)
- Why It's Good: More affordable than Vacaville, rural setting, safe
- Watch Out For: Still above BAH ($200-400/month out-of-pocket), rural/limited amenities
3. Fairfield, CA (Adjacent to Base)
- Median Rent: $1,900/month
- Commute: 5-15 min to gates
- Schools: 6-7/10 (Fairfield-Suisun Unified - variable by area)
- Why It's Good: Closest to base, more affordable than Vacaville
- Watch Out For: School quality variable, crime higher than Vacaville, still above BAH
Affordable But Know What You're Getting
Suisun City, CA (South of Base)
- Median Rent: $1,800/month
- Commute: 10-15 min to Travis
- Schools: 5-6/10 (Fairfield-Suisun Unified)
- Why Know: Most "affordable" option (still above BAH)
- Reality: Crime higher, school quality weaker, waterfront area nice but neighborhood variable
On-Base Housing
Travis Family Housing (managed by Balfour Beatty Communities)
- Availability: Long waitlist (10-14 months typical)
- Quality: Mix of older and renovated 2-4 BR homes
- Pros: Zero commute, no rent out-of-pocket (saves $600-900/month), utilities included
- Cons: Extremely long waitlist, jet noise constant (busiest AMC base), older homes
- Wait List: E5-E6 typically 12-14 months
- Verdict: Absolutely worth the wait—saves $800-1,200/month vs off-base. Get on list immediately.
Schools
Best School District:
Vacaville Unified School District (Top Choice)
- Rating: 7-8/10
- Standout Schools:
- Vanden High School (8/10)
- Will C. Wood High School (7/10)
- Why Good: Best academics in Solano County, strong programs, safe schools
- Reality: Worth $400-600/month out-of-pocket for families with school-age kids—significant quality gap vs Fairfield
- Link: Vacaville Unified
Dixon Unified School District
- Rating: 6-7/10
- Standout Schools:
- Dixon High School (7/10)
- Why Good: Solid academics, smaller district, rural setting
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
- Rating: 6-7/10 (variable by specific school)
- Why Variable: Large district, quality varies by neighborhood
- Reality: Some schools acceptable, others weaker. Research exact school assignments before signing lease.
DoDEA Schools On Base:
No DoDEA schools at Travis. You must use local public schools.
Pro Tip: Live in Vacaville if you can afford $400-600/month out-of-pocket for 7-8/10 schools. Dixon acceptable (6-7/10) for $200-400/month extra. Fairfield acceptable but quality varies (6-7/10).
For detailed school intelligence and real-time ratings: Base Navigator →
Local Intel
Cost of Living
Overall: 30% higher — Bay Area spillover
Housing: 40% higher — California premium
Groceries: 20% higher — CA pricing
Utilities: 15% higher — Electric, water
Gas: 30% higher — CA fuel taxes highest in nation
Traffic & Commute
- Morning Rush: 7-9 AM heavy on I-80 (Sacramento/SF commuters)
- Afternoon Rush: 4-7 PM gridlock on I-80
- To San Francisco: 55 miles becomes 90-120 min during rush hour
- Reality: I-80 is major corridor—Bay Area commuters create brutal traffic. Local commutes manageable (15-25 min).
Weather Reality
- Summer: 85-100°F, dry, hot (AC mandatory)
- Winter: 40-60°F, rainy (Dec-Feb)
- Spring/Fall: Perfect 65-75°F
- Reality: Hot summers (100°F common July-Aug). Mild winters. No snow. AC essential summer, heat rarely needed winter.
Commissary & Shopping
- Commissary: On-base, well-stocked, busy weekends
- Walmart / Target: Fairfield and Vacaville
- Costco: Fairfield (essential for saving on groceries)
- Vacaville Premium Outlets: Major outlet shopping
- Napa Valley: 30 min west, wine country, upscale dining
Things to Do
- San Francisco: 55 miles, world-class city (Golden Gate, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz)
- Sacramento: 45 miles, state capital, Old Sacramento, pro sports (Kings)
- Napa Valley: 30 min, 400+ wineries, world-famous wine region
- Lake Tahoe: 2.5 hours, skiing winter, beaches/boating summer
- Yosemite National Park: 3 hours, iconic national park
- Oakland / Berkeley: 45 min, pro sports (Raiders, A's, Warriors), culture
- Outdoor Recreation: Hiking Suisun Marsh, cycling, boating
What to Avoid
- Don't: Expect BAH to cover housing in good areas—it won't by $400-600/month
- Don't: Underestimate summer heat (100°F common)
- Don't: Ignore school district differences—Vacaville significantly better than Fairfield/Suisun
- Don't: Live in Suisun City unless budget absolutely requires it
What's It Like to Live at Travis AFB?
Travis AFB is the Gateway to the Pacific with brutal deployment tempo but good California location between SF and Sacramento.
Deployment Tempo:
- AMC Airlift Crews: Very high—constant rotations, 6-9 month deployments, PACAF support
- Maintenance / Support: High—TDYs frequent, deployments moderate
- Base Support: Moderate—some deployments
- Reality: Travis is busiest AMC base. If you fly or fix jets, expect heavy ops tempo. Deployments and TDYs constant.
Quality of Life Assessment: 7/10
Pros:
- California location (SF, Napa, Tahoe, Sacramento)
- Good schools available (Vacaville)
- No snow (mild winters)
- Strong military community
- World-class attractions 30-90 minutes
Cons:
- BAH insufficient ($400-600/month out-of-pocket normal)
- Very high deployment tempo (busiest AMC base)
- Summer heat brutal (100°F+)
- High California state taxes
- On-base housing waitlist 12-14 months
The Verdict: Travis is good for families who love California lifestyle, can handle frequent deployments, and afford $400-600/month out-of-pocket for good schools. It's not ideal for single-income families, those who hate heat, or anyone wanting family stability (deploy less).
Cost of Living Breakdown
Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:
- Rent (3BR off-base): $2,100
- Utilities (electric, water, trash): $250
- Groceries: $900
- Gas/Transportation: $380
- Childcare (1 child, if needed): $1,150
- Internet/Phone: $170
- Misc/Entertainment: $450
- Total: $5,400
BAH vs. Reality:
BAH Coverage: Inadequate—E5 BAH falls $400-600/month short in Vacaville (best schools). Fairfield closer but still $200-400/month short. On-base housing only financially viable option but 12-14 month waitlist.
State Tax Reality:
California: Highest state income tax (9.3-13.3%). E5 with family pays ~$2,200-3,200/year. Significant burden on top of housing shortfall.
Savings Potential:
Minimal to negative off-base. On-base housing families can save. Many families struggle financially at Travis.
Money-Saving Tips:
- Get on-base housing immediately: Only financially viable option (saves $800-1,200/month)
- Shop Costco aggressively: Save 30% on groceries vs regular stores
- Live in Dixon: Save $200-400/month vs Vacaville, accept slightly lower schools (6-7/10)
- Avoid SF/Napa trips: Easy to blow $200-500 on weekend city/wine trips
- Dual-income helpful: Spouse employment eases housing cost burden
Spouse Employment & Family Life
Job Market Reality:
Solano County has a moderate job market—Travis is largest employer, otherwise limited local options. Sacramento and SF jobs require commute.
Realistic Expectations:
- Travis civilian jobs best bet (base is major employer)
- Healthcare at NorthBay Medical Center
- Sacramento/SF jobs possible but 45-90 min commute each way
- Remote work excellent option
Top Spouse Employers:
- Travis Civilian Jobs: Admin, IT, logistics, maintenance ($20-42/hr)
- NorthBay Medical Center: Nurses, medical admin, healthcare ($22-40/hr)
- Vacaville / Fairfield Schools: Teachers, paraprofessionals ($19-32/hr)
- Retail (Vacaville Outlets, Target, Walmart): Service, management ($16-24/hr)
- Remote Work: Best option for professionals (avoids SF/Sacramento commute)
Military Spouse Preference:
Travis has active MSP hiring (large base). Competition is moderate—apply early and consistently on USAJobs.
Childcare Reality:
- CDC Waitlist: 10-16 months typical (long!), get on list before PCS orders
- CDC Cost: $190-320/week based on rank
- Off-Base Daycare: $1,050-1,350/month (expensive), adequate availability
Common Questions About Travis AFB
Q: Will BAH cover housing?
A: No. E5 BAH falls $400-600/month short in Vacaville (best schools). Fairfield closer but still $200-400/month out-of-pocket.
Q: How bad is the deployment tempo?
A: Very high. Travis is busiest AMC base. If you're aircrew or maintenance, expect constant rotations, TDYs, and 6-9 month deployments.
Q: What about schools?
A: Critical decision. Vacaville (7-8/10) best but $400-600/month out-of-pocket. Fairfield (6-7/10) more affordable but quality varies. Research carefully.
Q: Can we survive on single military income?
A: Difficult without on-base housing. Off-base requires $400-600/month out-of-pocket. Dual-income highly recommended.
Q: Is the location really that good?
A: Yes. SF 55 miles, Napa 30 min, Sacramento 45 miles, Tahoe 2.5 hours. World-class attractions 30-90 minutes. California lifestyle at its best.
Q: How hot does it get?
A: Very hot summer. 100°F+ common July-August. AC mandatory. Winters mild (40-60°F), no snow.
Q: Is Travis family-friendly?
A: Mixed. Good location and schools available, but high deployment tempo strains families. Frequent separations are reality.
Q: Should spouse get a job?
A: Yes, recommended. Helps offset $400-600/month housing shortfall and California costs.
Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit
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Last Updated: November 11, 2025
Next Review: February 2026
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.