Moving to Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt is the home of the 55th Wing, which flies RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and the E-4B, and hosts U.S. Strategic Command, the 557th Weather Wing and other major tenants. It sits next to Bellevue, about 12 miles from downtown Omaha, giving families a mid-sized-city lifestyle with affordable housing and severe-weather seasons.
| Branch | Air Force |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Bellevue, NE (Omaha metro) |
| Airports | Eppley Airfield (OMA) in Omaha |
| Climate | Four seasons with ice and snow in winter and tornado potential in spring, summer and fall. |
| Cost of living | Affordable relative to most metro areas; many homes in the Bellevue area sell in the low to mid $200,000s. |
| On-base housing | Offutt AFB America First Communities, LLC (managed by Rising View) |
| Medical care | 55th Medical Group clinic |
| Family support center | Airman & Family Readiness Center |
Where families live
On-base housing (Capehart, Coffman Heights, Fort Crook Historic District)
Privatized neighborhoods with different eras of homes, including a historic district at the center of the base.
Bellevue
Large military population and easy commute; rentals can be pricier than farther out.
Papillion
Growing suburb just west of Offutt with newer homes and a central park.
La Vista and Gretna
Suburban Sarpy County communities with newer homes and shopping.
Council Bluffs, IA
Iowa side across the river with lower housing costs.
Schools
Children living on base attend Bellevue Public Schools, which has three elementary schools on the installation. Many families living in Papillion, La Vista or Gretna use those districts instead. The School Liaison Office can help with options and transfers.
- Bellevue Public Schools — Serves on-base housing and Bellevue; about 10,000 students.
- Papillion La Vista Community Schools — Popular district for families living west of the base.
On the installation: Three Bellevue Public Schools elementary schools located on Offutt
Offutt School Liaison Office (through the Airman & Family Readiness Center)
Things to do near Offutt Air Force Base
- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumfamilyNationally known zoo with a huge indoor desert and aquarium.
- Old Market DistrictfoodBrick-lined downtown Omaha district with restaurants, shops and nightlife.
- Strategic Air Command & Aerospace MuseummuseumLarge aviation museum in Ashland, Nebraska, tied to Offutt's SAC history.
- Fontenelle ForestoutdoorsForested nature preserve with boardwalk trails near Bellevue.
- Halleck ParkfamilyLarge central park in Papillion.
- Joslyn Art MuseummuseumOmaha art museum with a broad collection.
- Omaha College World SeriessportsAnnual June NCAA baseball championship held in Omaha.
Realtors & local services
Want a realtor who knows Offutt Air Force Base?
Tell us your report date, budget and whether you're buying or renting. We'll connect you with an agent who works with military families here.
Get matchedReal estate offices
- Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Good Life GroupOmaha / BellevueLocal brokerage whose agent publishes a guide to living near Offutt.
Listings come from public sources and are not endorsed or vetted. Own a business that serves families at Offutt Air Force Base? Claim or add a listing.
Local programs & support
- Offutt Housing Management Office tenant briefingsOne-on-one tenant and landlord briefings plus lists of furnished and unfurnished rentals.
PCS tips for Offutt Air Force Base
- Few area landlords allow pets and approved pets may require deposits or monthly fees, so confirm before you sign.
- Keep your AFPAAS information current and know the base closure line (402-232-2653) for winter storms and severe weather.
- Offutt's commercial 294 numbers use DSN prefix 271 and 232 numbers use 272.
- Visit the Housing Management Office for counseling before signing a lease; the neighborhoods north and west offer different price ranges.
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 Midwest & Plains
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.