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Navy3,500+

NAS Key West

Naval Air Station Key West · Key West, Florida

Naval Air Station Key West is the southernmost military installation in the continental United States and serves as the Navy's premier adversary air training facility. Located on Boca Chica Key just east of Key West, the station supports fleet readiness through dissimilar air combat training and hosts TOPGUN detachments. Life in Key West is unlike any other duty station, offering tropical island living, world-class diving, and a vibrant arts and tourism culture.

E-5 BAH
$2,658
O-3 BAH
$3,357
Avg Home Price
$780,000
Branch
Navy
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Neighborhoods

Key West Old Town

Historic island

$2,400 to $3,500/mo

Iconic architecture, walkable, very expensive, tourist traffic

New Town Key West

Suburban island

$1,900 to $2,600/mo

More affordable than Old Town, closer to base, typical suburban feel

Stock Island

Working community

$1,600 to $2,100/mo

Adjacent to base, most affordable option on the Keys, marina community

Big Pine Key

Rural Keys

$1,400 to $1,900/mo

About 30 miles north, much more affordable, Key deer refuge nearby

Schools

Key West High School

Grades 9-12

Diverse student body, island culture, JROTC program

Sugarloaf School

Grades K-12

Small combined school on Sugarloaf Key, strong community

Gerald Adams Elementary

Grades K-5

Well-regarded elementary serving Key West families

Housing Intel

On-Post Housing

Limited on-base family housing; most families live off-base in the Keys

Off-Post Rental Market

Key West is extremely expensive; Stock Island and lower Keys are the best value options

Commute

The base is on Boca Chica Key, about 5 to 10 minutes from most Key West neighborhoods and 30 minutes from Big Pine Key.

Installation Highlights

  • Southernmost duty station in the CONUS with a true tropical island lifestyle
  • World-class snorkeling and diving on the Florida Reef, the third largest barrier reef on Earth
  • Adversary air training mission attracts top naval aviators and builds elite readiness
  • Mallory Square sunsets, Duval Street culture, and the Ernest Hemingway Home nearby
  • Fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding year-round in clear turquoise waters

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