Moving to Nellis & Creech Air Force Bases
Nellis is the Air Force's advanced combat training hub, home of the USAF Warfare Center, Red Flag exercises and the Thunderbirds, hosted by the 99th Air Base Wing on the northeast side of the Las Vegas Valley. Nellis also supports Creech AFB, the Tonopah Test Range and the Nevada National Security Site. Families live in a big, hot, fast-growing metro with no state income tax and plenty of entertainment.
| Branch | Air Force |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Las Vegas, NV |
| Population served | About 9,500 military and civilian personnel work at Nellis (2019); the military-connected community including retirees and families exceeds 40,000 |
| Airports | Harry Reid International (LAS) in the Las Vegas Valley |
| Climate | Hot desert: July highs around 105F, mild winters with freezing nights, only about 4-5 inches of rain a year |
| Cost of living | Reported around 10% above the national average; one source cites a median home price near $450,000 and single-family rents of $2,600-$2,800 |
| On-base housing | Hunt Military Communities (five communities with about 1,100 homes); dorms for unaccompanied Airmen |
| Medical care | Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center (80-bed hospital with a Level III trauma center on Nellis AFB) |
| Family support center | Airman and Family Readiness Center |
Where families live
On-base Nellis housing
Five Hunt-managed communities at the base of Sunrise Mountain; Coral Academy of Science, a PreK-8 charter school, is on base and admits by lottery.
North Las Vegas (Centennial Hills, Aliante, Valley Vista, Providence, Skye Canyon)
Master-planned communities with newer homes, parks and trails; Aliante has Nature Discovery Park and a library. Popular with military families.
Summerlin
Upscale master-planned community on the west side with a longer commute but strong amenities.
Henderson
Large southeast suburb with parks and shopping; longer drive for Nellis families.
Schools
Nearly all families are zoned to the Clark County School District, the fifth largest in the U.S. with over 300,000 students. Coral Academy of Science, a PreK-8 charter on base, uses a lottery. Magnet, charter, private and homeschool options exist, and the School Liaison can help families plan.
- Clark County School District — Nevada's largest district with 370+ schools; check zoning before choosing a home
On the installation: Coral Academy of Science (charter, PreK-8, lottery admission)
Nellis School Liaison Office (through the Airman and Family Readiness Center)
Things to do near Nellis & Creech Air Force Bases
- Nature Discovery Park (Aliante)familyPopular North Las Vegas park next to the Aliante Library.
- Neon to Nature trail systemoutdoorsAbout 10 miles of paved regional trails along the Las Vegas Wash.
- SkyView Multi-Generational Recreation CenterfamilyYMCA-run North Las Vegas recreation center.
- Hebert Memorial ParkmuseumMarks the site of a 1964 F-105 crash from Nellis.
- Thunderbirds eventssportsThe Air Force flight demonstration team is based at Nellis and performs regular events.
- Grand Canyon air tours from North Las Vegas Airportday-tripTour flights depart from the North Las Vegas Airport.
Realtors & local services
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- Realty ONE GroupLas Vegas, NVListed in a military housing directory as specializing in military relocation to Nellis and Creech
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PCS tips for Nellis & Creech Air Force Bases
- Contact the Military Housing Office for counseling before signing a lease; off-base rents in Las Vegas run high.
- Verify school zoning and magnet or charter lottery dates before you choose a neighborhood, since CCSD assignments are address-based.
- Summer highs routinely top 105F; schedule movers early and confirm A/C is working.
- Creech AFB is a separate installation supported by Nellis; check which installation your orders list.
- Commutes from Summerlin and Henderson can run 40-60 minutes in traffic.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Desert Southwest
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.
Sources
- https://militarybyowner.com/nv/nellis-afb
- https://www.militarybyowner.com/nv/nellis-afb/real-estate-agents/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellis_Air_Force_Base
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_O%27Callaghan_Military_Medical_Center
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Las_Vegas,_Nevada
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_County_School_District