Florida
MacDill Air Force Base
📍 Tampa, Florida
Headquarters of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill is also home to the 6th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 fleet.
BAH Rates
MHA: FL050 Rates as of 2026
E-1 with Dependents$2,280/mo
E-5 with Dependents$2,757/mo
E-5 without Dependents$2,046/mo
O-3 with Dependents$3,480/mo
O-3 without Dependents$2,751/mo
Housing
View full housing guide →- On-base: Harbor Bay at MacDill (Lendlease) — waterfront community with newer homes, townhomes, and apartments; high demand with waitlists for larger units
- Off-base: South Tampa, Brandon, and Riverview — median single-family homes in the mid-$400s to $700s depending on neighborhood
- BAH: Tampa BAH is strong; covers most 2-3 bedroom rentals in decent neighborhoods, though South Tampa commands a premium
- Top pick: South Tampa (Palma Ceia, Hyde Park) for proximity and lifestyle; Riverview/Apollo Beach for more space per dollar
- Note: On-base housing sits on a stunning peninsula with bay views; among the most scenic base housing in the Air Force
Neighborhoods
View full neighborhoods guide →- South Tampa — Closest to base (5-15 min), great restaurants/nightlife, top-rated schools (Plant High School), but prices are steep — median home $600k+
- Brandon — 20-30 min commute, more affordable housing, good schools, extensive shopping (Westfield Brandon mall), very family-oriented
- Riverview — Growing suburb south of Brandon, 25-35 min, new construction abundant, more house for your dollar, good schools in newer areas
- St. Petersburg (northeast) — 25-35 min across the bay, vibrant downtown, beaches nearby, more urban feel; great for couples without kids
Schools
View full schools guide →🏫 Elementary Schools
Tinker Elementary (DoDEA)⭐ 7/10
On-base, K-5, great community
Ballast Point Elementary⭐ 8/10
South Tampa, top-rated
Gorrie Elementary⭐ 9/10
Hyde Park area, excellent reputation
🏫 Middle Schools
Monroe Middle School⭐ 6/10
South Tampa, IB program
Coleman Middle School⭐ 7/10
Hyde Park area, strong academics
Wilson Middle School⭐ 6/10
Near downtown, diverse
🏫 High Schools
Robinson High School⭐ 6/10
South Tampa, IB program, close to base
Plant High School⭐ 8/10
South Tampa, top-rated, competitive
Jefferson High School⭐ 4/10
Near MacDill, diverse programs
Gates & Commute
- Bayshore Gate (main) — Primary entry off Bayshore Blvd, 10-20 min peak waits (6:30-8:30 AM), serves South Tampa traffic
- MacDill Gate (Dale Mabry Hwy) — Western entry, 10-15 min peak, serves South Tampa and bridge traffic from St. Pete
- Tanker Gate — Restricted access for fuel deliveries and commercial vehicles
- Note: Bayshore Blvd is one of the most scenic commute roads in the Air Force — bay views, historic homes, and a sidewalk that's a local landmark
Internet Providers
- Spectrum — Dominant cable provider across Tampa metro, plans up to 1 Gbps, widespread availability
- Frontier Fiber — Expanding fiber-to-the-home across Hillsborough County, symmetrical gigabit speeds where available
- T-Mobile/Verizon 5G Home — Strong 5G coverage in Tampa metro, good backup or budget option
- Top pick: Frontier Fiber where available; otherwise Spectrum Gig
Shopping & Dining
- Westfield Brandon — Large regional mall with department stores, Apple Store, and family dining, 20 min east
- Hyde Park Village (South Tampa) — Upscale outdoor shopping and dining, great for date nights and boutique shopping
- International Plaza — High-end mall near airport with Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and fine dining
- Groceries: Publix (ubiquitous, excellent quality), Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Fresh Market, and a well-stocked on-base commissary
- Dining: Bern's Steak House (legendary), Columbia Restaurant (Ybor City), Ulele (riverfront), and the food halls at Armature Works
Gyms & Recreation
- MacDill Fitness Center — Large facility with indoor track, two weight rooms, group fitness, and lap pool overlooking Tampa Bay
- Outdoor Recreation — Rents boats, kayaks, paddleboards at subsidized rates; the marina offers boat slips and fishing charters
- On-base beach: MacDill has its own beach on the base peninsula — volleyball courts, picnic pavilions, and sunset-watching spots
- Golf: MacDill's Bay Palms Golf Course — 18 holes on base with bay views; also numerous off-base courses in Tampa
- Bayshore Boulevard — 4.5-mile waterfront sidewalk, Tampa's iconic running/cycling route just outside the Bayshore Gate
- Water sports: Tampa Bay and Gulf beaches (Clearwater/St. Pete) are 30-45 min away — world-class beaches, boating, and fishing
Jobs & Spouse Employment
- On-base: CENTCOM and SOCOM contractor positions are abundant — intelligence, IT, logistics, and administrative roles; USAJobs for GS civilians
- Defense contractors: CACI, SAIC, Booz Allen, Jacobs, General Dynamics, and dozens more maintain large MacDill-focused offices
- Tampa economy: Booming — finance (Raymond James, USAA), healthcare (Tampa General, BayCare), tech, and hospitality
- Military spouse: MacDill Spouse Employment Program runs regular networking events; Tampa's strong job market means more opportunities than most bases
- Remote work: Major metro with excellent internet, coworking spaces, and a growing remote work community
Local Attractions
- Clearwater Beach — Consistently ranked among America's best beaches, 40 min west; sugar-white sand and warm Gulf water
- Busch Gardens — Major theme park with world-class roller coasters and animal exhibits, 30 min northeast
- Ybor City — Historic Cuban district with cigar shops, nightlife, great food; the Columbia Restaurant is a Tampa landmark since 1905
- St. Petersburg Pier — Revitalized waterfront district with restaurants, parks, and the Salvador Dalí Museum
- Orlando (90 min east) — Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld; easy weekend trip
- Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa — Both family-friendly and within 20 min of base
Area Maps
Photo Gallery
base
KC-135 Stratotanker on the MacDill flight line over Tampa Bay
neighborhood
Hyde Park in South Tampa, top neighborhood for MacDill families
housing
Waterfront on-base housing at Harbor Bay
nature
Clearwater Beach, 40 minutes from MacDill
downtown
Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa's iconic waterfront promenade
restaurant
The historic Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City since 1905