Moving to Eglin AFB: towns nearby, housing costs and VA care
Air Force test and training base whose ranges cover much of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties, including Duke Field near Crestview.
Eglin Air Force Base is in Okaloosa County, Florida. In a straight line, the closest towns are Valparaiso (under 1 mi), Niceville (4.3 mi) and Shalimar (4.4 mi). The median home value in Valparaiso is $394,700 and the median rent is $1,366 a month. The nearest VA clinic is Eglin VA Clinic, 1.3 mi away.
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Towns near Eglin AFB, closest first
Tap a column to sort. Miles are a straight line from the town center to the base; bridges and gates change the drive.
| Town | Miles to Eglin AFB | Population | Veterans (adults) | Armed forces (16+) | Median home value | Median rent | Nearest VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso | under 1 mi | 4,885 | 24.7% | 22.7% | $394,700 | $1,366 | 1.2 mi |
| Niceville | 4.3 mi | 16,544 | 22.6% | 7.3% | $423,500 | $1,749 | 4.2 mi |
| Shalimar | 4.4 mi | 885 | 20.5% | 4.7% | $476,500 | $2,551 | 5.0 mi |
| Destin | 6.3 mi | 14,077 | 14% | 4% | $490,300 | $1,936 | 5.3 mi |
| Cinco Bayou | 6.5 mi | 609 | 18.9% | 6% | $348,800 | $1,643 | 7.1 mi |
| Fort Walton Beach | 7.0 mi | 21,025 | 16.9% | 4.8% | $321,800 | $1,307 | 7.6 mi |
| Mary Esther | 9.4 mi | 4,061 | 16.8% | 4.6% | $298,900 | $1,699 | 10.0 mi |
| Miramar Beach | 12.8 mi | 8,902 | 6.4% | 0% | $733,000 | $2,250 | 11.5 mi |
| Crestview | 18.6 mi | 28,773 | 22.1% | 8% | $277,900 | $1,366 | 19.4 mi |
| Navarre | 22.1 mi | 39,838 | 25.7% | 7.3% | $375,700 | $1,966 | 23.1 mi |
| Freeport | 23.3 mi | 6,689 | 11.9% | 1.5% | $407,800 | $1,859 | 22.3 mi |
| DeFuniak Springs | 28.9 mi | 6,532 | 9.4% | 0% | $201,400 | $1,024 | 28.3 mi |
| Milton | 33.0 mi | 10,733 | 16% | 5.9% | $233,100 | $1,455 | 21.4 mi |
| Laurel Hill | 33.2 mi | 355 | 13.5% | 2.7% | $117,900 | $742 | 33.8 mi |
Before you report to Eglin AFB
- Check your housing allowance for the base ZIP code at the official BAH rate lookup. 2026 rates took effect Jan. 1 with an average increase of 4.2%.
- Read the Eglin AFB page on Military OneSource: housing office, schools, child care and relocation help.
- Base news, gate hours and visitor rules: Eglin Air Force Base official site.
- Look at a flood map before you sign a lease or buy: FEMA flood maps. Hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30.
VA health care near Eglin AFB
Free help with VA claims
County and state veteran service officers are trained and accredited to help you file disability, pension and survivor claims, appeal a decision and enroll in VA health care. The help is free: you never have to pay anyone to file a VA claim.
Also open in Crestview (302 N. Wilson St.) on Tuesdays; call for an appointment.
State benefits for service members and veterans
Florida
No state income tax on military retired pay
- Florida has no personal income tax, so military retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are not taxed by the state.
- Homestead: veterans with a 10% or higher combat-related VA disability get up to $5,000 off assessed value, and a service-connected total and permanent disability brings a full homestead exemption. Veterans 65 or older with a permanent combat-related rating get a discount equal to their disability percentage.
- The "Veteran" designation on a Florida driver license or ID is free for honorably discharged veterans, and 100% disabled veterans pay no license fee.
- Hunting and fishing: a free five-year license for resident veterans rated 50% or more disabled, and the $20 Military Gold Sportsman's License for active duty stationed in Florida, Florida resident service members and military retirees.
- The Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver removes out-of-state fees for honorably discharged veterans at Florida public colleges and universities.
- Military spouses can often convert a license from another state to a Florida license, with fee waivers and faster processing depending on the agency.
Retiring from the service? Compare towns on the Emerald Coast on taxes, health care and housing ›
Local auto repair shops for military families near Eglin AFB
Veteran-owned business?
Stationed here, or served here?
We publish short answers from readers after an editor reviews them, never with your address, unit or rank unless you ask.
- Tips for the next family on orders: neighborhoods, schools, commutes, what you wish you knew.
- Ask a local: send a question and we will answer it on this page or in a story.
- Add a ceremony, reunion or post meeting: free listing in our events calendar.
Military news and guides
- Free help filing a VA claim in Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa and Bay: offices and hours
- Military spouse jobs on the Emerald Coast: moving a professional license to Florida
- PCS to Eglin or Hurlburt: what Florida asks for a new driver license, tags and voter card
- VA care on the Emerald Coast: what the Eglin and Panama City clinics offer
- Florida homestead exemptions for disabled veterans: amounts and how to apply by county
- Military golf at Hurlburt Field and Eglin AFB: who can play and how to book
Questions about moving to Eglin AFB
What towns are closest to Eglin AFB?
Valparaiso (under 1 mi), Niceville (4.3 mi), Shalimar (4.4 mi), Destin (6.3 mi) and Cinco Bayou (6.5 mi), measured in a straight line from each town center. Driving time depends on the gate you use and traffic on bridges and main roads.
Where is the nearest VA clinic to Eglin AFB?
Eglin VA Clinic, 100 Veterans Way, Eglin AFB, FL 32542, about 1.3 mi away in a straight line.
How much is BAH near Eglin AFB?
Basic Allowance for Housing depends on your duty station ZIP code, pay grade and whether you have dependents. Check the official rate lookup at travel.dod.mil. 2026 rates took effect Jan. 1, 2026, with an average increase of 4.2%.