--- title: >- PCS to Arizona: A Comprehensive Guide for Active Duty Military Personnel Moving to Arizona slug: >- pcs-to-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide-for-active-duty-military-personnel-moving-to-arizona description: >- Discover Arizona's military-friendly perks for active duty and veterans! Our guide offers valuable tips for a seamless PCS transition to the Grand Canyon State. publishedAt: '2023-11-14T05:22:06.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-06-19T00:00:00.000Z' author: Stephen Levesque categories: - U.S. Military Bases canonical: >- https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/pcs-to-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide-for-active-duty-military-personnel-moving-to-arizona componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: arizona --- # PCS to Arizona: A Comprehensive Guide for Active Duty Military Personnel Moving to Arizona Arizona is a prime destination for active-duty military personnel and veterans. With its **many military bases, tax-free military pay, outdoor recreation opportunities, and military-friendly communities**, Arizona provides a welcoming environment for military families. If you're **PCSing to Arizona**, this guide will help you prepare for your transition, covering everything from **housing and schools** to **cost of living and military-friendly communities**. ## **Military Bases in Arizona** Arizona is home to several major military installations: - **Fort Huachuca (Army)** - **Luke Air Force Base (Air Force)** - **Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Air Force)** - **Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (Marine Corps)** Each base has its own mission and community. Researching your assigned base before arrival will help ease your transition. Visit [Military OneSource](https://www.militaryonesource.mil/) for base-specific details. ## **Arizona's Major Military Installations** Knowing your base's mission helps you picture daily life, commute times, and which towns sit nearby. Here is a closer look at each of Arizona's four major installations. ### **Luke Air Force Base (Glendale)** Luke Air Force Base sits in Glendale, in the West Valley of metro Phoenix. It is home to the 56th Fighter Wing, which now trains pilots exclusively on the F-35A Lightning II after decades of F-16 training. The Air Force describes Luke as the service's F-35 training center, with several training squadrons based there. Families assigned to Luke often look at Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, and Surprise. Learn more on the [Luke Air Force Base website](https://www.luke.af.mil/). ### **Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Tucson)** Davis-Monthan Air Force Base sits about 5 miles southeast of downtown Tucson. Its host unit is the 355th Wing, which flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II for close air support and runs the Air Force's combat search and rescue training. Units there operate HC-130J aircraft and HH-60 rescue helicopters. Nearby communities include Tucson, Marana, and Vail. See the [Davis-Monthan Air Force Base website](https://www.dm.af.mil/) for more. ### **Marine Corps Air Station Yuma** Marine Corps Air Station Yuma is in the state's southwest corner near the California and Mexico borders. The station supports roughly 80 percent of the Marine Corps' air-to-ground aviation training, using more than a million acres of ranges and steady flying weather. It is a key base for the F-35B, the short-takeoff, vertical-landing version of the F-35. Marine families usually settle in Yuma and the surrounding Yuma County area. Read more at the [MCAS Yuma website](https://www.mcasyuma.marines.mil/). ### **Fort Huachuca (Sierra Vista)** Fort Huachuca is an Army post in Cochise County, near Sierra Vista in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles from the Mexico border. It hosts the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and focuses on military intelligence, cyber, and unmanned aircraft systems training. Most families live in Sierra Vista, which grew up around the post. Visit the [Fort Huachuca garrison website](https://home.army.mil/huachuca/) to learn more. ## **Housing Markets and Cost of Living** Home prices in Arizona's two largest metro areas give you a baseline for budgeting. According to Zillow, the typical home value in Phoenix was about $411,563 as of May 31, 2026, down 2.3 percent over the prior year. This is a typical value across the middle of the market, not a median sale price. You can review the latest figures on the [Zillow Phoenix home values page](https://www.zillow.com/home-values/40326/phoenix-az/). Tucson tends to run lower. Zillow reported a typical Tucson home value of about $326,242 as of May 31, 2026, down 2.1 percent over the year. Again, this is a typical value, not a median sale price. The current number lives on the [Zillow Tucson home values page](https://www.zillow.com/home-values/7481/tucson-az/). Your Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, the monthly housing stipend the military pays based on your rank, location, and whether you have dependents, will shape what you can afford. For 2026, BAH rates rose by an average of 4.2 percent across the country and took effect January 1, 2026. Always check your own duty station, since rates differ a great deal between Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Sierra Vista. Look up your exact rate on the [Defense Travel Management Office BAH page](https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/). ## **Tax-Free Military Pay in Arizona** Arizona is **one of the few states that do not tax military pay**. - The **average military family pays over $2,000 per year in state income taxes** in other states. - In Arizona, **your military income is completely tax-free**, providing **significant savings**. For tax details, visit the [Arizona Department of Revenue](https://azdor.gov/). ## **Outdoor Activities in Arizona** Arizona offers **year-round outdoor activities**, from hiking and biking to fishing and boating. Popular destinations include: - **Grand Canyon National Park** – Famous for breathtaking hikes such as **Bright Angel Trail** and **South Kaibab Trail**. - **Saguaro National Park** – Explore scenic desert landscapes filled with **iconic saguaro cacti**. - **Sedona** – Known for its **red rock formations** and trails like **Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock**. - **Prescott** – Offers excellent **mountain biking trails**, including the **Prescott Circle Trail**. - **Scottsdale** – Home to **world-class golf courses** such as **TPC Scottsdale and Troon North Golf Club**. Find more outdoor activities on the [Arizona Department of Tourism](https://www.visitarizona.com/) website. ## **Military-Friendly Communities in Arizona** Many **Arizona communities actively support military personnel and their families**, offering: - Military **discounts** - **Employment assistance** - **Childcare support** - **Education benefits** ### **Top Military-Friendly Communities in Arizona** **Sierra Vista** – Home to **Fort Huachuca**, a major Army intelligence base. **Marana** – Close to **Davis-Monthan Air Force Base**, a key Air Force installation. **Goodyear** – Home to **Luke Air Force Base**, the **largest fighter pilot training base in the world**. **Gilbert** – One of the **fastest-growing towns** near Phoenix. **Tempe** – Home to **Arizona State University**, the largest public university in Arizona. For more information, visit the Arizona Military Affairs Council. ## **Arizona Schools & Education Benefits** Arizona schools rank **above average nationally**, and the state offers **military-friendly education programs** such as the **Military Interstate Tuition System (MIST)**. - **MIST** allows **military families to pay in-state tuition rates at Arizona public colleges and universities**, regardless of residency status. For details, visit the [Arizona Department of Education](https://www.azed.gov/). ## **Arizona Housing & Cost of Living** Arizona offers a **lower cost of living than many other states**, including: - **Affordable housing** - **Lower food and transportation costs** - **No state tax on military pay** According to the **Council for Community and Economic Research**, the cost of living in **Phoenix is 10.1% lower than the national average**. ## **Arizona Climate and What to Expect** Arizona is known for hot, dry summers and mild winters, but the weather changes a lot by elevation. In the low desert around Phoenix and Yuma, summer highs often climb past 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so air conditioning and sun safety matter. Higher areas like Sierra Vista, Prescott, and Flagstaff stay cooler and can even see winter snow. The state gets very little rain, with most of it arriving during the summer "monsoon" season of heavy afternoon storms. If you are moving from a wetter or colder climate, plan for the heat and the dry air, and budget for higher summer cooling bills in the desert. For local weather and safety tips, check the [National Weather Service Arizona pages](https://www.weather.gov/). ## **Schools and VA Loan Considerations** School quality varies by district, so it pays to research the area near your base. In Sierra Vista, near Fort Huachuca, public schools earn an average GreatSchools rating of 8 out of 10, which places them among the stronger districts in the state. You can compare schools by address on [GreatSchools](https://www.greatschools.org/arizona/sierra-vista/). For families assigned to other bases, look up the specific district that serves your future neighborhood before you commit to a home. If you plan to buy, the VA Loan, a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is one of the strongest benefits available to service members and veterans. It often requires no down payment and no private mortgage insurance, which can make buying near an Arizona base more reachable. To confirm your eligibility and how the benefit works, start with the official [VA home loan page](https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/). ## **Get Ready for Your PCS to Arizona** Arizona is an **excellent location for military families**, offering **tax-free military pay, affordable housing, outdoor recreation, and military-friendly communities**. If you're **PCSing to Arizona**, our **trusted military real estate agents** are here to assist you. ## Plan the Rest of Your Arizona Move To zero in on a base or metro, see our roundup of [every military base in Arizona](/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-arizona), our [Luke AFB guide to Phoenix's West Valley](/blog/pcs-to-luke-afb-military-guide-to-phoenix), our [complete guide to MCAS Yuma](/blog/your-complete-guide-to-mcas-yuma), and our broader [Greater Phoenix Valley guide for military veterans](/blog/greater-phoenix-valley-a-guide-for-military-veterans). If you plan to buy in the desert market, start with [the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan). When you want a local read on a specific Arizona neighborhood and its base commute, you can ask Stephen Levesque, a VeteranPCS agent in the Phoenix area, for current listings and prices.