Skip to main content
Air Force15,000+ service members

MacDill AFB

MacDill Air Force Base · Tampa, Florida

MacDill AFB sits on a peninsula in Tampa Bay, home to US Central Command (CENTCOM) and US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The combination of high-level command presence, Tampa's vibrant culture, Florida beaches, and no state income tax makes MacDill one of the most coveted assignments in the Air Force.

E-5 BAH
$1,965/mo
O-3 BAH
$2,607/mo
Avg Home Price
$400,000 to $600,000
Branch
Air Force
Build My PCS Plan →Free PCS Kit

Where MacDill Air Force Base Is

Approximate installation location. Hold ⌘/Ctrl and scroll to zoom.

Neighborhoods

South Tampa

Off-Post

$2,000 to $2,800/mo

Adjacent to MacDill, walkable, great restaurants, but pricey and competitive

Brandon / Riverview

Off-Post

$1,700 to $2,200/mo

East of Tampa, affordable suburbs, good schools, 30 min commute

Westchase / Citrus Park

Off-Post

$1,900 to $2,500/mo

Northwest Tampa, excellent schools, upscale suburban feel

Wesley Chapel / Zephyrhills

Off-Post

$1,700 to $2,200/mo

North of Tampa, newer development, good schools, longer commute

Schools

Hillsborough County Schools

Grades K to 12

Large district, wide variance, research individual schools; Plant High and Gaither HS are top-rated

Plant High School

Grades 9 to 12

One of the top high schools in FL, serves South Tampa area

Pasco County Schools (Wesley Chapel)

Grades K to 12

Newer schools in Wesley Chapel area, growing and improving rapidly

Housing Intel

On-Post Housing

Hunt Military Communities manages MacDill housing. On-base living is extremely popular due to the peninsula location.

Off-Post Rental Market

Tampa market has become very expensive in recent years. BAH is competitive but the market is tight.

Commute

MacDill is at the end of a peninsula, traffic on Dale Mabry Hwy can be significant. Most families trade commute for quality of life in South Tampa.

Installation Highlights

  • CENTCOM and SOCOM presence, prestigious commands
  • On the water, stunning Tampa Bay views from the flight line
  • No state income tax in Florida
  • Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are 30 to 45 min away
  • Tampa Bay sports teams, world-class dining, and Ybor City culture

Keep Exploring

State BenefitsFlorida Military Benefits →FL Base GuideNAS JacksonvilleFL Base GuideNaval Station MayportFL Base GuideNAS Pensacola

Help Us Help the Next Family

Did We Miss Something?

You know things about MacDill Air Force Base that we do not. The best intel comes from families who actually lived there. Tell us what you know and we will add it to the guide.

Anonymous submissions welcome. We review every tip before adding it to the guide.