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Marine Corps~10,000

MCAS Miramar

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar · San Diego, California

MCAS Miramar is the former home of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and is now a major Marine Corps aviation installation in the heart of northern San Diego. Home to F-35C, F/A-18, and helicopter squadrons of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Miramar offers the extraordinary lifestyle of San Diego with the unique challenge of California's high cost of living.

E-5 BAH
$3,200/mo
O-3 BAH
$4,100/mo
Avg Home Price
$700,000 to $1,000,000
Branch
Marine Corps
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Neighborhoods

Mira Mesa

Suburban

$2,200 to $2,800/mo

Adjacent to the base on the south side, Mira Mesa is the most convenient off-base community. Diverse, affordable for San Diego, and close to base amenities.

Scripps Ranch

Suburban

$2,600 to $3,200/mo

Upscale community bordering Miramar to the west with top-rated Scripps Ranch High School and newer homes. Very popular with officer families.

Poway

Suburban

$2,400 to $3,100/mo

East San Diego County community known for Poway Unified School District, one of the best in California. 15 to 20 minutes from base.

Rancho Bernardo

Master-planned community

$2,300 to $3,000/mo

Large planned community in northern San Diego with affordable prices relative to coastal areas, Poway Unified schools, and convenient I-15 access.

Schools

Scripps Ranch High School

Grades 9-12

One of the top public high schools in San Diego Unified, directly adjacent to the base community.

Del Norte High School (Poway)

Grades 9-12

Part of the prestigious Poway Unified School District. Consistently among San Diego's top schools.

Mira Mesa High School

Grades 9-12

San Diego Unified school serving the community closest to base. Improving and diverse.

Housing Intel

On-Post Housing

Lincoln Military Housing manages Miramar housing. Demand is high. Apply immediately upon receiving orders.

Off-Post Rental Market

Northern San Diego is expensive but BAH at O3 covers most neighborhoods. Junior enlisted should seek Mira Mesa or Rancho Bernardo for best value.

Commute

Mira Mesa is 5 to 10 minutes from the main gate. Scripps Ranch is 10 to 15 minutes. Poway is 15 to 20 minutes via I-15. Rancho Bernardo is 20 to 25 minutes. I-15 southbound toward downtown San Diego can be heavily congested in the morning.

Installation Highlights

  • Historic home of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) made famous in film
  • F-35C and F/A-18 operations in one of the premier aviation environments in the world
  • Northern San Diego location with easy access to beaches, mountains, and desert
  • World-class year-round weather and outdoor recreation
  • MCAS Miramar Air Show is one of the largest and most attended air shows in North America