MacDill AFB: rent or buy? (2026)
E-5 with dependents: $2,709/mo BAH.
- Typical 3BR rent: $2,527 (HUD FY2026). You keep about $182/mo.
- Typical home: $375,501 in Hillsborough County FL (Tampa) (Zillow, Sept 2026).
- VA loan, $0 down: about $3,066/mo with tax and insurance (est.).
- O-3 with dependents: $3,081/mo BAH.
Your plan for MacDill
2026 BAH at MacDill AFB
Military Housing Area FL066: Tampa, FL. Duty ZIP 33621. Monthly rates from DTMO, effective Jan 1, 2026. Confirm your ZIP on the DTMO lookup.
| Grade | With dependents | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,520 | $1,932 |
| E-2 | $2,520 | $1,932 |
| E-3 | $2,520 | $1,932 |
| E-4 | $2,520 | $1,932 |
| E-5 | $2,709 | $2,187 |
| E-6 | $3,042 | $2,346 |
| E-7 | $3,066 | $2,526 |
| E-8 | $3,075 | $2,781 |
| E-9 | $3,123 | $2,874 |
| W-1 | $3,063 | $2,463 |
| W-2 | $3,072 | $2,778 |
| W-3 | $3,084 | $2,886 |
| W-4 | $3,141 | $3,039 |
| W-5 | $3,231 | $3,054 |
| O-1E | $3,069 | $2,706 |
| O-2E | $3,078 | $2,853 |
| O-3E | $3,156 | $3,036 |
| O-1 | $2,757 | $2,328 |
| O-2 | $3,039 | $2,649 |
| O-3 | $3,081 | $2,919 |
| O-4 | $3,255 | $3,042 |
| O-5 | $3,390 | $3,057 |
| O-6 | $3,417 | $3,060 |
| O-7+ | $3,441 | $3,102 |
Rent near MacDill
| Size | HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,593 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,696 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,977 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,527 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,077 |
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA (Hillsborough County FL (Tampa)). 40th-percentile rent including utilities. Zillow ZORI (all sizes, Sept 2026): $1,978.
Buying with a VA loan
- Typical home value
- $375,501 (Zillow ZHVI, Hillsborough County FL (Tampa), Sept 2026)
- Loan, $0 down
- $383,574 incl. 2.15% funding fee (first use)
- Principal + interest
- $2,656/mo at 7.4% (Freddie Mac avg, 2026-10-15)
- Property tax (est.)
- $253/mo (0.81% of value, Census ACS)
- Insurance (placeholder)
- $156/mo
- Total (est.)
- $3,066/mo
- 2026 loan limit
- $832,750 (only matters with partial entitlement)
All numbers are estimates for planning. BAH: DTMO 2026. Rent: HUD FY2026 FMR. Home value: Zillow ZHVI, Sept 2026. Rate: Freddie Mac 7.4% (2026-10-15). Tax: Census ACS county median. Insurance: our placeholder (0.5% of value, min $1,200/yr), not a quote.
FAQ
What is the 2026 BAH at MacDill AFB?
For an E-5 with dependents it's $2,709 a month; without dependents $2,187. O-3 with dependents: $3,081. Military Housing Area FL066 (Tampa, FL). Source: DTMO 2026 rates.
How much is rent near MacDill AFB?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Hillsborough County FL (Tampa): $1,977 for 2 bedrooms, $2,527 for 3 bedrooms, including utilities. Zillow's typical observed rent (all sizes) was $1,978 in Sept 2026.
Should I buy a house at MacDill AFB?
It depends on how long you'll stay and whether you'd keep it as a rental. Run the planner above with your rank and plans.
What's the VA loan limit near MacDill AFB?
With full entitlement there's no VA loan limit. With partial entitlement, VA uses the 2026 FHFA one-unit limit for Hillsborough County FL (Tampa): $832,750.