Nevada
Nellis Air Force Base
📍 Las Vegas, Nevada
The Air Force's premier combat training center, home to the Thunderbirds and Red Flag exercises just outside Las Vegas.
BAH Rates
MHA: NV033 Rates as of 2026
E-1 with Dependents$1,761/mo
E-5 with Dependents$2,178/mo
E-5 without Dependents$1,614/mo
O-3 with Dependents$2,748/mo
O-3 without Dependents$2,097/mo
Housing
View full housing guide →- On-base: Hunt Military Communities — neighborhoods like Desert Sky, Freedom Park, Thunderbird Heights with homes from duplexes to single-family (built 2000s-2010s)
- Off-base: Northwest and north valleys offer the best commute; median home prices in the mid-$400s
- BAH: Competitive for the Las Vegas market, covers most rentals in the northern suburbs
- Top picks: Aliante, Centennial Hills, Providence — quality housing stock and 15-25 minute commute
Neighborhoods
View full neighborhoods guide →- Aliante/Centennial Hills — Top recommendations, northwest valley master-planned communities with parks, 20 min commute via 215 Beltway
- North Las Vegas (north of Craig Road) — Varies significantly block by block; some older areas have higher crime rates — research specific streets carefully
- Summerlin — Premier master-planned community but 35-45 min commute each way; adds up during Red Flag rotations
- Skye Canyon/Providence — Newer northwest developments with modern homes and young military families, ~25 min from gate
Schools
View full schools guide →🏫 Elementary Schools
Lomie G. Heard Elementary⭐ 5/10
On-base school, military community
Kitty McDonough Ward Elementary⭐ 4/10
Close to Nellis housing
C.T. Sewell Elementary⭐ 6/10
STEAM magnet program
🏫 Middle Schools
Findlay Middle School⭐ 4/10
Largest nearby, diverse programs
Mack Lyon Middle School⭐ 5/10
Smaller school in Overton area
Theron L. Swainston Middle⭐ 3/10
Near Nellis, sports programs
🏫 High Schools
Desert Pines High School⭐ 3/10
Closest to Nellis, career academies
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts⭐ 9/10
Top magnet school, arts focus
Advanced Technologies Academy⭐ 9/10
Premier magnet, STEM/tech focus
Gates & Commute
- Main Gate (Las Vegas Blvd) — Primary entry, 15-20 min backups during 6:30-8:00 AM rush, especially during Red Flag exercises
- Tyndall Gate — North side alternative access
- Range Gate — Serves specific work areas
- Note: Gate hours posted on 99th Security Forces Squadron page; traffic spikes during Red Flag and Green Flag rotations
Internet Providers
- Cox Communications — Primary cable ISP in Las Vegas Valley, plans up to 1 Gbps with good reliability
- CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber — Fiber-to-the-home with symmetrical gigabit in select newer developments (Skye Canyon, parts of Centennial Hills)
- Cox-only zones — Older neighborhoods closer to base often have only Cox as a wired option
- T-Mobile/Verizon 5G Home Internet — Viable alternatives in areas with strong signal, often lower price with no data caps
Shopping & Dining
- On-base: Commissary and BX — both large and well-stocked; BX features a full food court and mini-mall
- Groceries: Centennial Center and Aliante Marketplace — Smith's, Albertsons; Costco in Summerlin ~30 min away
- Retail: Las Vegas North Premium Outlets — 25 min south for brand-name discounts
- Dining near base: Craig Road and 215 corridor — everything from In-N-Out Burger to Lazy Dog Restaurant
- Dining destination: Las Vegas Strip — world-class restaurants just 25 min from the gate
Gyms & Recreation
- Warrior Fitness Center — Large, modern facility with 24/7 access, dedicated CrossFit space, and group classes
- Outdoor Recreation — Runs trips to Red Rock Canyon (20 min), Lake Mead (30 min), Mount Charleston (45 min); rents camping, boating, and skiing gear
- Golf: Sunrise Vista (on-base) and Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort (adjacent) — two excellent courses
- Las Vegas Strip — 25 min away for world-class entertainment, shows, and nightlife
Jobs & Spouse Employment
- Defense contractors: JT3 (Nevada Test and Training Range support), M1 Support Services, plus cyber/intel contractors hiring regularly
- On-base civilian: Nellis civilian personnel office, Military & Family Readiness Center — career counseling and resume workshops
- Healthcare: University Medical Center, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System
- Education: CCSD — largest employer in Nevada
- Las Vegas economy: Amazon, Zappos, numerous tech firms — diversified beyond hospitality
- Spouse programs: Spouse preference programs and Hiring Our Heroes active in the area
Local Attractions
- Las Vegas Strip — World-class shows, restaurants, and casinos 25 min south of the main gate
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area — Stunning hikes and rock climbing 20 min away
- Valley of Fire State Park — Breathtaking red sandstone formations, ~1 hour from base
- Mount Charleston — Alpine escape with skiing in winter, hiking in summer, 45 min away
- Hoover Dam — Easy 45-min day trip
- Zion National Park (Utah) — 2.5 hours for incredible weekend adventures
Area Maps
Photo Gallery
base
F-16 Fighting Falcon on the Nellis flight line during Red Flag
neighborhood
Master-planned community in Aliante, a top family neighborhood near Nellis
housing
Modern family housing in the Centennial Hills area
nature
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, 20 minutes from base
downtown
The Las Vegas Strip at dusk, 25 minutes from Nellis
restaurant
World-class dining on the Las Vegas Strip