If you have orders for a PCS to Dyess Air Force Base, welcome to the wide-open plains of West Texas. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for moving from one duty station to another. Dyess AFB sits just west of Abilene and is one of the Air Force's most distinctive installations — it is the only base in the world that hosts both the B-1B Lancer heavy bomber and the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter. This 2026 guide covers where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, the local climate, and things to do once you are settled.
What and Where Is Dyess AFB?
Dyess Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation located on the western edge of Abilene, Texas, in Taylor County. It covers about 6,400 acres and falls under Air Force Global Strike Command.
The installation is home to two distinct flying wings. The 7th Bomb Wing is the host unit and flies the B-1B Lancer, a long-range multi-mission heavy bomber. Its mission, as described on dyess.af.mil, is to provide combat-ready B-1B aircrews and support global strike operations worldwide. The 317th Airlift Wing flies the C-130J Super Hercules and focuses on tactical airlift, airdrop, and rapid air mobility. Having both a bomber wing and a tactical airlift wing on the same flightline makes Dyess unique in the Air Force.
Abilene is a city of roughly 120,000 people with a genuine small-city feel and lower costs than the larger Texas metros. It sits about 150 miles west of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex on Interstate 20.
Where to Live When PCSing to Dyess AFB
Most families who move to Dyess either live in on-post housing or settle in one of the surrounding communities. Your choice usually comes down to commute time, schools, budget, and the feel you want day to day.
Approximate one-way drive times to Dyess AFB. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.
Tye
Tye is a small community directly adjacent to the base, sitting right along Interstate 20 just east of the flight line. With a commute of roughly 10 minutes, it is the closest off-base option for many airmen and offers simple, practical housing at some of the lowest price points in the area.
Abilene
Abilene proper is the most popular choice for Dyess families. The city surrounds the base on the east side and offers the widest range of housing, from established neighborhoods near the base to newer subdivisions on the south and east sides. Most areas of Abilene are about 15 minutes to the main gate, and you gain access to the full range of city amenities — grocery stores, restaurants, healthcare, and three universities.
Merkel
Merkel is a small town about 20 miles east of Dyess on Interstate 20. It offers a quieter, rural feel with lower home prices. The commute adds a few minutes, but for families who want space and a slower pace, Merkel is worth a look.
Clyde
Clyde sits about 25 miles east of the base along I-20. It is a growing small town with a tight community feel and a mix of established homes and newer builds. The commute is longer, but housing costs can be significantly lower than in the city.
Tuscola
Tuscola is a small community about 25 miles south of Dyess in Jones County. It offers rural acreage options and is a draw for families who want land. The commute runs about the same length as Clyde, and the route south on Highway 83/84 is straightforward.
Dyess AFB BAH and the 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 three things: your rank, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's Military Housing Area, or MHA. An MHA is the geographic zone the Department of Defense uses to set local housing pay. Dyess AFB falls within the Abilene, Texas Military Housing Area.
Because rates change each year and vary by rank and dependent status, we do not publish a rate table here. To find your exact figure, use the official DoD calculator: travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup. Enter your rank and ZIP code to see the current rate. Exact BAH rates are verified separately, so always confirm yours before signing a lease or making an offer.
For a sense of buying costs, the typical home value in Abilene was about $214,916 as of April 2026, according to Zillow. That is 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. Abilene's home prices are well below the Texas and national averages, which can make VA loan buying power go a long way here. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on how long you expect to be stationed at Dyess, so run the numbers for your own situation.
If you are thinking about using your VA loan benefit, read our guides on what are the benefits of a VA loan, how does a 0 down VA loan work, and 2026 VA loan limits explained for military homebuyers.
Schools Near Dyess AFB
The schools your children attend depend on where you live. Two main districts serve the Dyess area, along with several smaller ones in the surrounding communities.
Abilene Independent School District is the largest district in the area, covering most of the city of Abilene. Abilene ISD serves approximately 14,700 students across more than 30 campuses. The district includes two traditional high schools, a STEM academy, a medical high school magnet program, and an alternative program for at-risk students. Most families who live in central or north Abilene fall under Abilene ISD.
Wylie Independent School District serves southern Abilene and surrounding areas in Taylor County and is one of the faster-growing districts in the region, enrolling nearly 5,000 students. Wylie ISD runs one early childhood campus, two elementary schools, two intermediate schools, two junior high schools, and one high school. Families who live in south Abilene, Tuscola, or parts of the surrounding area often fall under Wylie ISD.
