If you have orders for a PCS to Eielson Air Force Base, you are headed to one of the most distinctive duty stations in the United States Air Force. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for moving from one duty station to another. Eielson AFB sits in interior Alaska, about 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks. This 2027 guide covers what to expect when you arrive: where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, climate, and daily life under the northern lights.
A move to Alaska is a lot to coordinate. Our goal is to make the Eielson part feel clearer.
What and Where Is Eielson AFB?
Eielson Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation located in interior Alaska, roughly 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks. The city of North Pole, Alaska sits nearby between the base and Fairbanks.
The host unit is the 354th Fighter Wing, whose mission, according to eielson.af.mil, is to provide USINDOPACOM combat-ready airpower, advanced integration training, and a strategic arctic basing option. The wing flies the F-35A Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, and Alaska is on track to become the most concentrated state for combat-coded, fifth-generation fighter aircraft in the country.
Eielson is also home of RED FLAG-Alaska, a series of Pacific Air Forces field training exercises that bring U.S. and allied forces together for large-scale air combat training over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. RED FLAG-Alaska 26-2 concluded in June 2026 with more than 70 aircraft and approximately 2,100 service members from the U.S. and partner nations participating.
If you want an overview of all bases in the state, start with our guide to what military bases are in Alaska.
Where to Live When PCSing to Eielson AFB
Most families who move to Eielson AFB either live in on-post housing or settle in one of the surrounding communities. Your choice usually comes down to commute, schools, budget, and what kind of daily environment you want. The Eielson area is rural and spread out; almost every community here requires a car, and winter driving conditions factor into how far from the gate you want to be.
Approximate one-way drive times to Eielson AFB. Times vary with traffic, season, and which gate you use.
Moose Creek
Moose Creek is the closest community to the base, about five minutes from the main gate. It is small and rural, well suited to families who want the shortest commute and are comfortable without nearby amenities. Housing options are limited, so start your search early.
North Pole
North Pole is a city of roughly 2,500 residents about 15 minutes from the gate. It is the most popular off-base community for Eielson families, with a mix of homes for sale and rent, nearby shopping, and schools in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. North Pole offers a genuine small-town feel while keeping the commute manageable even on winter roads.
Salcha
Salcha is a rural community along the Richardson Highway, about 20 minutes south of the gate. Housing costs tend to be lower and lots are larger than in North Pole. Services are limited, and the drive to Fairbanks for shopping or healthcare takes time, so it suits families comfortable with a more rural pace.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks, the largest city in interior Alaska, is about 30 minutes from the gate. It offers the most in shopping, dining, healthcare, and services. If your household needs city amenities or your spouse works in the city, the longer commute is often worth it. The University of Alaska Fairbanks campus is here, along with a wider range of neighborhood types.
See also our PCS to Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks guide and our PCS to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage guide.
Eielson 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 Defense Department uses to set local housing pay. Eielson AFB falls within the Fairbanks, Alaska MHA.
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 BAH 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 North Pole was about $307,363 as of 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. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on how long you expect to be stationed here, so run the numbers for your own situation.
Alaska has no state income tax, which is a meaningful financial benefit, and the state pays an annual Permanent Fund Dividend to eligible residents, though the amount and eligibility rules change each year. A VA loan — a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs — is one of the most powerful tools available to eligible service members. Read what are the benefits of a VA loan and our complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan.
Schools Near Eielson AFB
The schools your children attend depend on where you live. The North Pole and Eielson area is served by the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, which operates schools throughout the region including several in North Pole.
North Pole High School, North Pole Middle School, and North Pole Elementary School serve families in the community closest to the base. Families who settle in Fairbanks have access to a wider range of programs within the same district, including Advanced Placement options. Confirm the assigned school for any specific address before you commit, as boundaries can shift.
