Texas
Joint Base San Antonio
📍 San Antonio, Texas
The largest joint base in the Department of Defense, combining Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and Fort Sam Houston for training, medical, and support missions.
BAH Rates
MHA: TX194 Rates as of 2026
E-1 with Dependents$1,830/mo
E-5 with Dependents$2,160/mo
E-5 without Dependents$1,614/mo
O-3 with Dependents$2,727/mo
O-3 without Dependents$2,151/mo
Housing
View full housing guide →- On-base: Hunt Military Communities manages housing at all three installations — Lackland (newer homes in Medina Annex), Randolph (charming 1930s historic homes), Fort Sam Houston (mix of historic officer quarters and modern family housing)
- Off-base: San Antonio market among the most affordable for major military cities; median home prices in the low $300s
- New construction: Booming in the outer loops (1604 corridor) toward Alamo Ranch, Helotes, and Schertz
- BAH: Covers most rentals comfortably given the affordable market
Neighborhoods
View full neighborhoods guide →- For Lackland: Alamo Ranch/Helotes — Highly-rated Northside ISD schools, 20-30 min via 1604 and Hwy 151
- For Randolph: Schertz/Cibolo — Family favorites, safe and affordable, 10-15 min to gate with well-regarded Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD
- For Fort Sam Houston: Alamo Heights/Terrell Hills — Excellent schools and charm at a premium; Windcrest/Converse — budget-friendly, 15-20 min east
- Stone Oak — Master-planned amenities and NEISD schools, popular but 30-40 min to any JBSA location
Schools
View full schools guide →🏫 Elementary Schools
Lackland Elementary (DoDEA)⭐ 6/10
On-base at Lackland, military families
Randolph Elementary (DoDEA)⭐ 8/10
On-base at Randolph, top-rated
Somerset Elementary⭐ 6/10
Near Fort Sam Houston
Colonial Hills Elementary⭐ 5/10
Near Randolph, diverse
🏫 Middle Schools
Randolph Middle School⭐ 6/10
Near Randolph AFB
Wood Middle School⭐ 5/10
Close to Fort Sam Houston
Brentwood Middle School⭐ 5/10
Diverse, near Lackland area
🏫 High Schools
Johnson High School⭐ 7/10
Top-convenient for Randolph families
MacArthur High School⭐ 4/10
Close to Fort Sam Houston
Reagan High School⭐ 8/10
Highly rated, but farther north
Gates & Commute
- Lackland: Main gate areas along Military Drive and Valley Hi Drive — 10-15 min morning waits; larger basic training population increases traffic
- Randolph: Main gate off FM 78 — generally moves quickly at 5-10 min waits
- Fort Sam Houston: Multiple access points including Walters Gate and Harry Wurzbach Gate — traffic heaviest around BAMC medical campus in the morning
- Note: Gate hours vary by installation; Lackland gates close earlier due to training mission; Air Force basic training graduation weeks (Thursdays) spike traffic considerably
Internet Providers
- AT&T Fiber — Gold standard in San Antonio; symmetrical gigabit speeds across Alamo Ranch, Helotes, Stone Oak, Schertz and most of the city
- Spectrum — Cable internet citywide, plans up to 1 Gbps, asymmetric upload speeds
- Google Fiber — Entered limited areas of San Antonio with competitive pricing
- Grande/Astound — Fiber options in select neighborhoods along the 1604 corridor
- Top pick: Fiber from AT&T or Astound in newer subdivisions for remote work and streaming
Shopping & Dining
- Near Lackland: The Rim and La Cantera — high-end shopping (Nordstrom, Apple, Dillard's) 15-20 min away
- Near Randolph: Forum at Olympia Parkway in Selma — Target, Best Buy, plus plenty of dining
- Groceries: H-E-B is the dominant chain and a Texas institution; multiple locations including massive H-E-B Plus stores near all installations
- Dining: Pearl Brewery district, the River Walk, and legendary taco joints/BBQ spots (2M Smokehouse, The Barbecue Station) make this a food lover's assignment
Gyms & Recreation
- Fitness centers: Lackland's Warhawk Fitness Center and Randolph's Rambler Fitness Center — the two largest, modern facilities across JBSA
- Outdoor Recreation: Runs Canyon Lake trips, rents boats, RVs, and camping equipment; manages recreational areas on base
- Golf: JBSA-Randolph Golf Course (scenic 18-hole), Lackland's Gateway Hills Golf Course
- Greenway trail system: Extensive network connecting parks across the city for running and cycling
- Entertainment: Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld San Antonio offer military discounts; San Antonio Spurs year-round
Jobs & Spouse Employment
- Defense contractors: Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics, CACI — all with significant JBSA-connected operations
- Healthcare: San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC/BAMC), Methodist Healthcare, University Health System — largest local employers
- USAA: Corporate headquarters actively recruits military spouses with remote and hybrid roles
- Military spouse focus: San Antonio designated a Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone
- Resources: San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs program; Hiring Our Heroes active presence
Local Attractions
- The Alamo and San Antonio River Walk — Iconic experiences; River Walk holiday lights are nationally famous
- San Antonio Missions National Historical Park — UNESCO World Heritage site with four preserved 18th-century Spanish missions, connected by a bikeable trail
- Family: San Antonio Zoo, The DoSeum (children's museum), Witte Museum — all excellent
- Austin — 75-90 min north for weekend getaways
- Texas Hill Country — Wineries around Fredericksburg, tubing on the Guadalupe River, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Area Maps
Photo Gallery
base
Basic military training graduation at JBSA-Lackland
neighborhood
Family-friendly neighborhood in Alamo Ranch near Lackland
housing
New construction homes in the Helotes area
downtown
The iconic San Antonio River Walk in downtown
restaurant
Authentic Texas BBQ at one of San Antonio's legendary smokehouses
nature
Canyon Lake, a popular recreation spot for JBSA families