--- title: >- PCS to NAS Lemoore: A 2027 Guide for Military Families in California's Central Valley slug: pcs-to-nas-lemoore-2026-guide description: >- Planning a PCS to NAS Lemoore in 2027? Get a plain-language guide to housing, BAH, schools, healthcare, and life in California's Central Valley. Start here. publishedAt: '2026-04-26T09:00:00.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-06-22T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - PCS Help - US Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/pcs-to-nas-lemoore-2026-guide' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: california --- # PCS to NAS Lemoore: A 2027 Guide for Military Families in California's Central Valley If you have orders for a PCS to Naval Air Station Lemoore, welcome to California's Central Valley. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for relocating from one duty station to another. NAS Lemoore is the Navy's premier West Coast strike fighter base, set in Kings County amid the flat, agricultural San Joaquin Valley with the Sierra Nevada rising to the east. This guide covers where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, and life at this one-of-a-kind installation. ## What and Where Is NAS Lemoore? Naval Air Station Lemoore is a U.S. Navy installation in Kings County, California, roughly 40 miles south of Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley. According to the official [NAS Lemoore About page](https://cnrsw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAS-Lemoore/About/), the station was commissioned in July 1961. Its Central Valley location was chosen deliberately — close enough to the Navy's seaport facilities for logistical support, yet far enough from major population centers to allow unencumbered flight operations. Today, NAS Lemoore is home to Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific (CSFWP) and Commander Joint Strike Fighter Wing (CJSFW). More than half of the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft reside here, and it is the only Navy installation to house the F-35C Lightning II. The station hosts 16 operational Strike Fighter squadrons, two Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS), one Search and Rescue squadron, and four West Coast Carrier Air Wing Commands. On average, 210,000 flight operations occur annually — locals call it the Sound of Freedom. ## Where to Live When PCSing to NAS Lemoore Most families who PCS to NAS Lemoore either live in on-station housing or settle in one of the surrounding communities. Choice comes down to commute time, school options, and budget. Permanent personnel may be eligible for on-station housing, so ask your sponsor and the housing office about wait times early. ![Approximate drive times from Central Valley communities to NAS Lemoore, including Lemoore, Armona, Hanford, Visalia, and Fresno.](/images/blog/pcs-to-nas-lemoore-2026-guide/where-to-live.png) *Approximate one-way drive times to NAS Lemoore. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.* ### Lemoore The city of Lemoore surrounds the station and is the first choice for many families. A drive of about 10 minutes to the main gate is among the shortest available. The city has a small-town feel with grocery stores, restaurants, and shops nearby, and housing tends to be more affordable than in larger cities to the north or south. ### Armona Armona is a small, quiet community a few miles north of Lemoore, roughly 15 minutes from the station. It appeals to families who want more space and a rural pace while staying close to the gate. ### Hanford Hanford is the Kings County seat, about 20 minutes from the station. It is the largest city in the immediate area, with more shopping, dining, and services than Lemoore. Families who want broader amenities without a long drive often find Hanford a practical middle ground. ### Visalia Visalia, the Tulare County seat, sits about 45 minutes southeast. It is a significantly larger city with a wider range of housing, schools, and retail — and it is the closest urban hub to Sequoia National Park's Ash Mountain entrance. ### Fresno Fresno is roughly 50 minutes north — the largest metro in the Central Valley, with hospitals, a university, and a wide variety of neighborhoods. The commute is the longest on this list, but some families choose Fresno for the depth of options or a spouse's career. ## NAS Lemoore BAH and the Cost of Living If you live off station, the military helps cover housing through BAH — Basic Allowance for Housing — a monthly, tax-free payment. The amount depends on your paygrade, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's Military Housing Area (MHA), the geographic zone the Department of Defense uses to set local housing pay. NAS Lemoore falls within its own MHA for Kings County. Because rates change each year and vary by paygrade and dependent status, we do not publish a rate table here. To find your exact figure, use the official DoD BAH calculator at [travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup](https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/). Enter your paygrade and ZIP code and always confirm before signing a lease or making an offer. For a sense of buying costs, the typical home value in Lemoore was about $383,986 as of May 2026, according to [Zillow](https://www.zillow.com/home-values/46218/lemoore-ca/). That is a typical value, not a median sale price. As of the week of June 18, 2026, [Freddie Mac](https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms) 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. If you plan to use your VA loan benefit, read our overviews of [what are the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan) and [how does a 0-down VA loan work](/blog/how-does-a-0-down-va-loan-work). ## Schools Near NAS Lemoore The schools your children attend depend on where you live. Several districts serve the NAS Lemoore area, and boundaries do not always follow city limits. Families in the city of Lemoore fall under [Lemoore Union Elementary School District](https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&ID2=0607980&DistrictID=0607980&details=2) for grades K–8, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and the Lemoore Union High School District for grades 9–12. Families in Hanford are served by Hanford Elementary School District (K–8) and Hanford Joint Union High School District (9–12). Families in Armona and parts of unincorporated Kings County may fall under Central Union Elementary School District. Always verify the assigned attendance zone for any specific address with the relevant district before committing. ## Healthcare: Naval Health Clinic Lemoore On-station medical care is centered at [Naval Health Clinic Lemoore](https://lemoore.tricare.mil/), located at 937 Franklin Ave. on the station. The clinic provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, and pharmacy services. Urgent care hours extend into evenings on weekdays and include weekends. Your coverage runs through TRICARE, the health care program for service members and their families. Set up your TRICARE plan early, update your information in DEERS (the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System), and request any referrals through the clinic's [Appointments and Referrals](https://lemoore.tricare.mil/Getting-Care/Appointments-Referrals) page before you arrive so there is no gap in care. ## Climate and Things to Do NAS Lemoore sits in the San Joaquin Valley, and the climate reflects that. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures regularly topping 100°F from June through August. Winters are mild but bring one of the Central Valley's defining weather features: tule fog. Dense ground fog can settle over the valley from late November through February, at times reducing visibility to near zero. The [National Weather Service in Hanford](https://www.weather.gov/hnx) publishes forecasts and dense fog advisories for the Hanford-Corcoran-Lemoore zone — plan for slower drives during fog season if you are coming from a less foggy climate. The payoff is what surrounds the valley. [Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks](https://www.nps.gov/seki/) are within driving distance. According to NPS driving directions, Sequoia's Ash Mountain entrance near Three Rivers is 36 miles from Visalia — roughly 90 minutes from the Lemoore area. Kings Canyon's Big Stump entrance is 60 miles from Fresno, a similar drive. These parks hold some of the largest trees on Earth and miles of Sierra Nevada trails. Closer to home, the Kings River east of Hanford and Pine Flat Lake in the Sierra foothills offer fishing, boating, and camping within about an hour. ## Plan Your PCS to NAS Lemoore Start with our overview of [what military bases are in California](/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-california) and use [the ultimate PCS checklist and timeline for active-duty military personnel](/blog/the-ultimate-pcs-checklist-and-timeline-for-active-duty-military-personnel) to stay on track from the moment orders drop. Buyers should also read our [complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan](/blog/complete-guide-to-buying-your-first-home-with-a-va-loan) and our [2026 VA loan limits explained for military homebuyers](/blog/2026-va-loan-limits-explained-for-military-homebuyers). When you are ready to move forward, [connect with a VeteranPCS agent in California](https://www.veteranpcs.com/contact-agent) for a local read on neighborhoods and current listings. If you plan to use your VA loan, [connect with a VeteranPCS lender](https://www.veteranpcs.com/contact-lender) to get pre-qualified before you start shopping. Know another family with orders to NAS Lemoore? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move too. For agents and lenders across the state, [connect with our VeteranPCS network in California](https://www.veteranpcs.com/california). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What MHA or area is NAS Lemoore in for BAH? NAS Lemoore falls within its own Military Housing Area (MHA) for Kings County, California. Your rate depends on your paygrade and dependent status. Look up your exact figure with the official [DoD BAH calculator](https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/) using your paygrade and ZIP code. ### Where do military families live near NAS Lemoore? Common choices include Lemoore and Armona for short commutes, Hanford for more amenities at about 20 minutes, and Visalia or Fresno for a larger city feel with longer drives. On-station housing may be available to permanent personnel — ask your sponsor and the housing office early. ### What aircraft does NAS Lemoore operate? According to the official [NAS Lemoore About page](https://cnrsw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAS-Lemoore/About/), NAS Lemoore is home to the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and is the only Navy installation to house the F-35C Lightning II. It hosts 16 operational Strike Fighter squadrons and two Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). ### Which school district will my children attend near NAS Lemoore? It depends on your address. In Lemoore, students attend Lemoore Union Elementary (K–8) and Lemoore Union High (9–12). In Hanford, the Hanford Elementary and Hanford Joint Union High School districts apply. Families in Armona may fall under Central Union Elementary. Confirm the assigned school for any specific address before you commit. ### What is the weather like at NAS Lemoore? The San Joaquin Valley has hot, dry summers and mild winters. The defining winter feature is tule fog — dense ground fog that can reduce visibility to near zero from November through February. The [National Weather Service in Hanford](https://www.weather.gov/hnx) issues regular advisories for the Lemoore area. Plan for slower drives during fog season. ### Where do I get healthcare at NAS Lemoore? On-station care is at [Naval Health Clinic Lemoore](https://lemoore.tricare.mil/), 937 Franklin Ave. Set up your TRICARE plan early, update DEERS, and request referrals before you arrive so your care continues without a gap. This content is for informational purposes. Consult a professional for personal financial decisions.