Naval Air Station Fallon · Churchill County, NV
PCS to NAS Fallon: Where to Live & How to Buy
Orders to Fallon? I help Navy, Marine and joint-service families find the right home near NAS Fallon, whether that’s minutes from the gate in Fallon, a newer build in Fernley, or city life in Reno and Sparks, and buy it with a VA loan and $0 down.
Get a NAS Fallon Housing Plan
Share your report date and I will send homes that fit your BAH and commute.
About the Base
What to know about NAS Fallon
Naval Air Station Fallon sits in the high desert of Churchill County, about an hour east of Reno. It is the Navy’s premier air-to-air and air-to-ground training site and home to the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), which includes the Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known as TOPGUN (moved from NAS Miramar in 1996). Carrier air wings rotate through for pre-deployment training on the Fallon Range Training Complex, so the base supports a steady stream of permanent staff, instructors and their families.
The city of Fallon is small, friendly and affordable, with a strong agricultural community, Lahontan Reservoir for boating and fishing nearby, and Reno’s airport, hospitals and shopping within about an hour. The big housing challenge: on-base housing is limited and rentals are scarce, which is why buying often makes sense.
Fallon vs. Fernley vs. Reno
Where NAS Fallon families actually live
Approximate one-way drive to the NAS Fallon main gate in normal conditions.
| Area | Drive to base | Schools | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fallon | 5–15 min | Churchill County SD | Shortest commute, lowest prices, small-town feel. Most NAS Fallon families live here. |
| Fernley | 35–45 min | Lyon County SD | Newer subdivisions, bigger lots, and halfway to Reno for shopping and spouse jobs. |
| Silver Springs | 35–45 min | Lyon County SD | Rural and affordable, room for horses, RVs and toys. Near Lahontan Reservoir. |
| Sparks / Spanish Springs | 60–75 min | Washoe County SD | Big-city amenities, healthcare, and airport access. Popular with dual-income families. |
| Reno | 70–85 min | Washoe County SD | The most options and highest prices. Best for those who value city life over commute. |
Shortest commute
Fallon
Most NAS Fallon families live in town. Homes are typically priced far below Reno, with established neighborhoods near downtown and newer subdivisions on the edges, plus rural acreage properties in Churchill County. Your BAH stretches the furthest here.
Best of both
Fernley & Silver Springs
Fernley sits right on I-80 between Reno and Fallon with lots of newer construction and bigger garages. Silver Springs is quieter and more rural. Both put you 35 to 45 minutes from base and 30 to 40 minutes from Reno.
City amenities
Reno & Sparks
Worth the drive for some: more jobs for spouses, more schools and healthcare, and direct flights. Spanish Springs and east Sparks are the easiest Reno-area commutes to Fallon.
BAH & Budget
NAS Fallon BAH and what it buys
BAH at NAS Fallon is calculated for the Churchill County military housing area. For 2026, an E-5 with dependents receives roughly $1,600 per month, and rates rise with rank. Check your exact number with the official DoD BAH calculator (NAS Fallon ZIP 89496).
Two things matter most when you budget:
- BAH follows your duty station, not your address. Living in Reno does not raise your BAH, so the same allowance buys noticeably less house there than in Fallon or Fernley.
- Lenders count BAH as income. With a VA loan and $0 down, many families find a mortgage payment close to their BAH, and they build equity instead of paying rent.
Tell me your rank, family size and report date, and I’ll send a short list of homes near NAS Fallon that fit your BAH, with estimated payments. Call or text 775-357-3388.
On-base vs. off-base housing
NAS Fallon has on-base family housing operated by Liberty Military Housing, but there are not enough homes for every eligible family and waitlists are common. Contact the NAS Fallon Housing Service Center as soon as you have orders to get on the list, and start your off-base search at the same time. If a house comes through first, you can decline base housing; if base housing comes through, you have lost nothing.
Your NAS Fallon PCS checklist
- Call me when you get orders. We decide Fallon vs. Fernley vs. Reno based on commute, schools and budget.
- Get VA pre-approved and pull your Certificate of Eligibility (your lender can do it in minutes).
- Register with the Housing Service Center for the on-base waitlist.
- Tour by video or in person. House-hunting trip or remote, either works.
- Go under contract and close, remotely if needed, so keys are ready when you arrive.
- After you land: Nevada DMV registration, Churchill or Lyon County school enrollment, and utilities.
Also looking at Reno? See the PCS to Reno & Sparks guide and the VA loan guide.
NAS Fallon FAQ
Questions from Fallon-bound families
How far is NAS Fallon from Reno?
NAS Fallon is roughly 60 to 70 miles east of Reno, about an hour to an hour and 20 minutes depending on where in Reno or Sparks you start. The usual route is I-80 east to Fernley, then US-50 Alternate into Fallon.
What is the BAH at NAS Fallon?
BAH for NAS Fallon is set for the Churchill County military housing area and depends on your pay grade and dependency status. For 2026, an E-5 with dependents receives roughly $1,600 a month. BAH is based on your duty station, not where you live, so it goes much further in Fallon and Fernley than in Reno. Always confirm your exact rate with the official DoD BAH calculator.
Is there on-base housing at NAS Fallon?
Yes, but it is limited. NAS Fallon family housing is operated by Liberty Military Housing and does not have enough units for every eligible family, so waitlists are common. Most families live off base, and many buy with a VA loan because a mortgage payment can come in at or below BAH.
Should I buy or rent near NAS Fallon?
Rentals in Fallon are scarce, which is one reason many families buy. With a VA loan and $0 down, a Fallon or Fernley home can often be purchased with a payment near your BAH, and it can become a rental when you PCS out. Alex will run the numbers both ways so you can decide.
Can I live in Reno and work at NAS Fallon?
Yes, and some families do, especially those with a spouse working in Reno or who want city amenities. Expect about an hour or more each way. Spanish Springs and east Sparks shorten the drive compared with South Reno.
Can I buy a home near NAS Fallon before I arrive?
Yes. Alex handles live video tours, digital paperwork and remote closings, so you can have a home under contract, or even closed, before you report.
Orders to NAS Fallon?
Get a free housing plan for Fallon, Fernley or Reno. Call or text Alex today.