If you have orders for a PCS to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, welcome to Tucson, Arizona. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station — the military term for relocating from one duty station to another. Davis-Monthan AFB sits inside the Tucson city limits and is home to an active combat wing, a rescue group, and the world's largest aircraft storage facility. This 2026 guide covers where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, and daily life in the Sonoran Desert.
What and Where Is Davis-Monthan AFB?
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is located in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, and is part of Air Combat Command (ACC). It is home to the 355th Wing, which carries a two-word mission: RESCUE & ATTACK! According to the official base fact sheet, the wing trains and deploys A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots and operates EC-130H Compass Calls, HC-130J Combat Kings, HH-60W Jolly Green IIs, and F-16 Fighting Falcons. The 563rd Rescue Group — which provides combat search and rescue (CSAR) capability — was realigned under the 355th Wing in 2019. The wing's vision, per dm.af.mil, is to remain a "highly lethal and agile team, always ready to deploy, defend the base, and generate combat power."
A note on the A-10: the Air Force has been working toward phasing out the A-10C fleet as part of broader modernization. The dm.af.mil fact sheet continues to list A-10C training and deployment as the 355th Wing's primary role. If your assignment involves the A-10 program, confirm current fleet status with your gaining unit.
Davis-Monthan is also home to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), known as "The Boneyard" — a 2,600-acre facility and the largest aircraft storage and regeneration facility in the world, maintaining more than 3,400 aircraft for all U.S. military branches.
For context on Arizona's military footprint, read what military bases are in Arizona. If you are weighing Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix, see the PCS guide to Luke AFB.
Where to Live When PCSing to Davis-Monthan AFB
Because DMAFB sits inside Tucson, you have a wide range of off-base options. Ask your gaining unit about on-base availability and wait times before committing.
Approximate one-way drive times to Davis-Monthan AFB. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.
Tucson (Central and East Side)
Neighborhoods on the east and southeast side of Tucson sit closest to the base, often within 15 minutes. You are in the city, with restaurants, shopping, and entertainment nearby. Neighborhoods vary block by block, so touring in person or talking to a local agent helps.
Vail
About 20 minutes southeast, Vail is known for newer construction and the well-regarded Vail Unified School District. It draws many military families with school-age children who want a manageable commute and strong schools.
Sahuarita
About 25 minutes south, Sahuarita offers newer master-planned neighborhoods and lower housing costs than central Tucson. Families who want more space for the money often look here first.
Oro Valley
At the northern edge of the metro, about 30 minutes out, Oro Valley consistently ranks among the most desirable communities in southern Arizona: strong schools, low crime, and a quieter suburban feel. The longer drive is the main trade-off.
Marana
Also about 30 minutes out, Marana sits northwest of Tucson along I-10 and has grown considerably in recent years. It offers newer housing and a manageable commute for families who want to be outside the city core.
Davis-Monthan AFB BAH and Cost of Living
If you live off base, the military helps cover your housing through BAH, which stands for Basic Allowance for Housing. BAH is a monthly, tax-free payment. The amount depends on your rank, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's Military Housing Area, or MHA. Davis-Monthan AFB falls within the Tucson, Arizona MHA.
Because rates change each year and vary by rank and dependent status, we do not publish a rate table here. Find your exact figure with the official DoD calculator: travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup. Always confirm before signing a lease or making an offer.
For a sense of buying costs, the typical home value in Tucson was $326,242 as of May 31, 2026, according to Zillow — a typical value, not a median sale price. As of the week of June 18, 2026, Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.47 percent. Tucson's typical values are lower than many other Sun Belt metros, which can work in your favor with a VA loan — the home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. See what are the benefits of a VA loan and how does a 0-down VA loan work for the basics. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your timeline.
Schools Near Davis-Monthan AFB
The schools your children attend depend on where you live off base.
Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) is southern Arizona's largest district, serving roughly 47,000 students in 89 schools across much of central and east Tucson. Vail Unified School District serves the Vail community and is consistently well regarded. Amphitheater Public Schools covers north Tucson and Oro Valley with about 11,500 students in 22 schools. Marana Unified School District serves the northwest corridor and reached its centennial in 2026.
