Vance AFB PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Enid Living

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Vance AFB is home to the 71st Flying Training Wing (pilot training - T-6, T-1, T-38) with 1,000 active duty personnel. This is a pilot training mission—undergraduate pilot training (UPT) in Northwest Oklahoma. Low cost of living, decent schools, but rural location.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Excellent fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house with $450-500 buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,150/month (very affordable for Oklahoma)
• School Quality: Enid Public Schools (6-7/10) is decent
• Remote: 1.5 hours from Oklahoma City, 2 hours from Tulsa (isolation factor)

What This Guide Covers: Housing with real prices, school ratings, Enid Oklahoma 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: Vance Air Force Base
• Location: Enid, OK (Garfield County) - within Enid city limits, south side
• Size: 2,000 acres
• Population: 1,000 active duty + 2,800 total (civilians + students)
• Branch: Air Force (AETC - Air Education and Training Command)
• Major Units: 71st Flying Training Wing (T-6 Texan II, T-1 Jayhawk, T-38 Talon - undergraduate pilot training)
• Climate: Continental Oklahoma—hot summers (90-100°F), cold winters (25-45°F, wind/ice)
• Nearest Major City: Enid, OK (within city, 50K people), Oklahoma City, OK (1.5 hours south), Wichita, KS (2 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 generously covers rent in all good neighborhoods—Enid Public Schools (6-7/10) are decent. E5 BAH (~$1,650) covers median rent ($1,150) with $500 left over. This is a HIGH savings post—low cost of living + generous BAH = save $6,000-7,000/year.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

🏆 Tier 1 - Best for Families (Live Here)

South Enid (Near Vance Gate):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,150/month
• Commute: 5-10 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Enid Public Schools—decent)
• Vibe: Small city (50K people), established neighborhoods
• Best Areas: Near Longfellow Middle School, Enid High School
• Why: Close commute, pocket $500/month

North Enid:

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,100/month
• Commute: 10-15 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Enid Public Schools)
• Vibe: Quieter, more residential
• Why: Pocket $550/month, good schools

On-Base Housing (Privatized - Corvias):

• Cost: Free (BAH auto-deducted)
• Wait Time: 2-4 months (short wait)
• Quality: 7-8/10 (renovated, good)
• Schools: Bus to Enid Public Schools (6-7/10)
• Why: Convenience, short wait, no commute

⚠️ Tier 2 - Livable But Research Carefully

West Enid:

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,050/month
• Commute: 10-15 minutes to gate
• Schools: 6/10 (Enid Public Schools—mixed)
• Vibe: Older neighborhoods, mixed areas
• Trade-off: Cheap but research areas carefully

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

Downtown Enid:

• Some older infrastructure, limited housing options
• Not many family neighborhoods

Pro Tip: South Enid or North Enid (6-7/10 schools, Enid Public) is the standard—pocket $500-550/month, 5-15 min commute. On-base wait is SHORT (2-4 months), quality 7-8/10, excellent for instructors. Enid Public Schools are decent (6-7/10) across the board. Enid is straightforward—most neighborhoods are solid.

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Schools

Top Elementary Schools

• Longfellow Elementary (Enid) - 7/10 - Best elementary near base
• Monroe Elementary (Enid) - 6/10 - Decent

Top Middle Schools

• Longfellow Middle (Enid) - 7/10 - Best middle school near base
• Waller Middle (Enid) - 6/10 - Average

Top High Schools

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

Private Schools

• St. Francis Xavier Catholic School (Enid) - 6/10 - Small Catholic (PK-8, $4K-6K/year)
• Emmanuel Christian School (Enid) - 6/10 - Christian (K-12, $5K-7K/year)

Schools to Avoid

• None specifically—Enid Public Schools are decent across the board (6-7/10)

School District Strategy: Enid Public Schools (6-7/10) are decent—Longfellow Elementary/Middle and Enid High (all 7/10) are best. Private schools limited—St. Francis Xavier Catholic (6/10, $4K-6K/year) and Emmanuel Christian (6/10, $5K-7K/year) are options. Schools are solid but not exceptional.

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: -14% lower — Northwest Oklahoma affordability
Housing: -22% lower — BAH covers rent with $500 buffer
Groceries: -10% lower — Commissary + off-base savings
Utilities: +8% higher — Hot summers + cold winters

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in South Enid): $1,150
• Utilities (electric + gas): $170 (summer/winter peak: $225-255)
• Groceries: $745
• Gas (commute + errands): $148
• Internet/Streaming: $84
• Kids (activities, daycare part-time): $295

Total: ~$2,592/month (peak: ~$2,677 with higher utilities)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,500/month (covers housing + food, pocket $823-908)

State Taxes

• Oklahoma: 0%-4.75% state income tax (graduated, LOW)
• No local taxes: Enid 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 (~$1,650) covers Enid rent ($1,150) with $500 left over. On-base is free (BAH auto-deducted). Budget $225-255/month for summer/winter utility spikes (hot summers + cold winters).

Pro Tip: South Enid or North Enid = sweet spot (pocket $500-550/month, 6-7/10 schools). LOW cost of living + generous BAH + LOW Oklahoma income tax (0-4.75%) = save $6,000-7,000/year. Use this assignment to max TSP, pay off debt. Budget extra $600-800/year for summer/winter utility spikes.

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: 7-8am, 4:30-5:30pm (minimal—small city)
• Best Routes: US-64, US-81, Owen K. Garriott Road
• Worst: None—traffic is light year-round
• Pro Tip: 5-15 minute commute from Enid, zero traffic jams

Commissary & BX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings, early afternoons
• Worst Times: Weekends (busier), paydays
• Off-Base Alternative: Walmart, Homeland (Enid)

Things You Should Know

• Pilot training mission: 71st 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)
• Remote location: 1.5 hours from Oklahoma City, 2 hours from Tulsa (isolation)
• Hot summers: 90-100°F, low humidity
• Cold winters: 25-45°F, wind/ice storms (Oklahoma Great Plains)
• Enid: Small city (50K people), limited nightlife/dating

Hidden Gems

• Vance Air Park (on base) - Aviation museum, vintage aircraft
• Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse (Enid) - Children's museum, hands-on exhibits
• Meadowlake Park (Enid) - Walking trails, disc golf, dog park
• Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (Enid) - Local history museum
• Enid Speedway (Enid) - Dirt track racing (spring-fall)
• Great Salt Plains State Park (1 hour) - Salt flats, crystal digging, unique landscape
• Oklahoma City (1.5 hours) - National Cowboy Museum, Bricktown, Thunder NBA

Areas to Avoid

• Some parts of downtown Enid at night (limited crime but quiet)

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What's It Like to Live at Vance AFB?

Vance AFB is home to the 71st 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 in Northwest Oklahoma—low cost of living, stable lifestyle, but remote location.

Mission Reality:

• 71st 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:

• LOW cost of living: Pocket $500/month from BAH, save $6,000-7,000/year
• Schools: Enid Public Schools (6-7/10) are decent
• MINIMAL deployments: Instructors stay CONUS (major quality-of-life win)
• Remote: 1.5 hours from Oklahoma City (isolation)
• Enid: Small city (50K people), limited nightlife/dating
• Hot summers: 90-100°F, low humidity
• Cold winters: 25-45°F, wind/ice storms (Oklahoma Great Plains)
• Instructor camaraderie: Tight-knit flying community, teaching culture

The Good:

• LOW cost of living (pocket $500/month, save $6,000-7,000/year)
• MINIMAL deployments (instructors stay CONUS, stable lifestyle)
• Instructor camaraderie (teaching culture, tight-knit community)
• Low Oklahoma income tax (0-4.75%, save $1,500-2,000/year)
• SHORT on-base housing waitlist (2-4 months)
• Enid schools decent (6-7/10)
• Low traffic (5-15 min commute)
• Great Salt Plains State Park (1 hour, unique crystal digging)
• Oklahoma City 1.5 hours (Thunder NBA, museums)

The Not-So-Good:

• Remote location (1.5 hours from Oklahoma City, isolation)
• Enid is small (50K people, limited nightlife/dating)
• Hot summers (90-100°F, low humidity tolerable)
• Cold winters (25-45°F, wind/ice storms, Oklahoma Great Plains harsh)
• Schools are 6-7/10 (decent but not great)
• Limited entertainment (small city)
• Tornado season (April-June, Oklahoma Tornado Alley)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: -14% lower — Northwest Oklahoma affordability
Housing: -22% lower — BAH covers rent with big buffer
Groceries: -10% lower — Commissary saves 20-30%
Utilities: +8% higher — Hot summers + cold winters

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in South Enid): $1,150
• Utilities (electric + gas): $170 (peak: $225-255)
• Groceries: $745
• Gas (commute + errands): $148
• Internet/Cable: $84
• Childcare (part-time): $295
• Car Insurance: $105 (OK is moderate)
• Misc (restaurants, entertainment): $118

Total: ~$2,815/month (peak: ~$2,900 with higher utilities)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,500/month (covers housing + food, pocket $600-685)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH (~$1,650) covers Enid rent ($1,150) with $500 left over. On-base is free (BAH auto-deducted).

Savings Potential: HIGH—pocket $500/month in good neighborhoods. Low cost of living + generous BAH + LOW Oklahoma income tax (0-4.75%) = save $6,000-7,000/year. Budget extra $600-800/year for summer/winter utility spikes. This is a wealth-building assignment—max TSP, pay off debt, build emergency fund.

Pro Tips:

• South Enid or North Enid = sweet spot (pocket $500-550/month, 6-7/10 schools)
• Commissary saves 20-30% vs off-base (Walmart, Homeland)
• Oklahoma has LOW income tax (0-4.75%, save $1,500-2,000/year)
• LOW cost of living = save $6,000-7,000/year (max TSP contributions)
• Budget extra $600-800/year for summer/winter utility spikes

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Enid (50K people) has a small-city economy—healthcare, education (Northwestern Oklahoma 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: Integris Bass Baptist Health Center (RN $54K-66K, admin $27K-40K)
2. On-Base Contractors: Lockheed Martin (admin, IT - $38K-52K)
3. Education: Enid Public Schools, Northwestern Oklahoma State (teachers start $40K)
4. Retail: Walmart, Target (manager $28K-38K)
5. Northwestern Oklahoma State University: Staff, admin ($26K-42K)
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 (OK): $40,000-52,000
• University staff: $26,000-42,000
• Remote work (varies): $42,000-68,000

Military Spouse Preference:

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

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 2-4 months (SHORT wait, instructor-stable community)
• Off-Base Daycare: $92-130/week per child (affordable)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $82-120/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $58-95/week

For Families:

• Schools: Enid Public Schools (6-7/10) are decent
• Activities: Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse, Meadowlake Park, Great Salt Plains (1 hour), Oklahoma City (1.5 hours)
• Support: Strong military community, instructor families (stable, non-deploying lifestyle creates tight bonds)

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Common Questions About Vance AFB

Q: Is Vance AFB a good duty station? A: YES, if you value MINIMAL deployments and LOW cost of living. Instructors stay CONUS (stable lifestyle, teach flying), pocket $500/month from BAH, save $6,000-7,000/year, Enid schools decent (6-7/10). Trade-offs: remote (1.5 hours from Oklahoma City, isolation), Enid is small (50K people, limited nightlife), hot summers (90-100°F), cold winters (25-45°F, wind/ice), schools are 6-7/10 (decent but not great). GREAT for instructors wanting stable assignment focused on saving money.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Both good. On-base wait is SHORT (2-4 months), quality 7-8/10, convenient. South Enid or North Enid (6-7/10 schools) 5-15 min commute, pocket $500-550. Both options are solid—choose based on preference (convenience vs extra cash).

Q: How bad are the deployments? A: MINIMAL for instructors. 71st 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: Yes, but limited. Enid (50K people) has healthcare (RN $54K-66K), on-base contractors ($38K-52K), teaching ($40K-52K), Northwestern Oklahoma State staff ($26K-42K). Remote work is best bet ($42K-68K). Job market is small-city—lower pay than major metros. Plan for remote work or on-base NAF jobs.

Q: Is Enid boring? A: Depends. Enid (50K people) is small city—limited nightlife/dating. Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse (kids), Great Salt Plains State Park (1 hour, crystal digging), Enid Speedway (dirt track racing). Oklahoma City 1.5 hours (Thunder NBA, museums, Bricktown). Good for families focused on saving money, stable lifestyle. Not for entertainment seekers. You'll drive to Oklahoma City for big-city experiences.

Q: What about tornadoes? A: REAL. Oklahoma is Tornado Alley—tornado season April-June. Enid has tornado sirens, warning systems. Base has shelters. Know your tornado plan (basement, interior room, away from windows). Tornadoes are a fact of life in Oklahoma—prepare but don't panic. Most years no direct hits.

Q: Can I save money at Vance? A: YES. This is a HIGH savings post. Pocket $500/month from BAH, LOW cost of living, LOW Oklahoma income tax (0-4.75%) = save $6,000-7,000/year. Max your TSP, pay off debt, build emergency fund. One of the best savings assignments in CONUS.

Q: What's the instructor lifestyle like? A: Fly daily sorties, teach student pilots, stable assignment (3+ years). Instructor pilots (IPs) teach T-6 (primary), T-1 (airlift track), or T-38 (fighter track). Schedule can be demanding (daily flights, student briefs/debriefs) but MINIMAL deployments (stay CONUS). Tight-knit instructor community, teaching culture. Good for pilots wanting stability, teaching experience, family time.

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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.