PCSing to Fort Hood: A Local's Guide to Where to Live and How to Buy
The short answer
If being close to post is what matters most, I usually start families in Harker Heights or Nolanville. If schools come first, I start in Belton ISD, and Three Creeks in Belton is one of the most popular areas for military families, about 25 minutes from base. Here's the part that surprises people: over the last 12 months, homes in all three sold for about the same median price.
Start here: commute or schools?
Every PCS conversation I have starts with one question: what matters more to you, the commute or the school district?
The homes closest to post aren't always in the district families want. So a lot of buyers choose a longer drive in exchange for the schools they prefer. Once I know your priority, I can narrow the map fast.
A few more questions worth answering before you look at a single listing:
- Which gate will you use most? (See the gates section below.)
- Is your report date firm, or still moving?
- Are you planning to use your VA loan, Texas Vet, or both?
- Will you take a scouting trip, or buy by video tour?
- How long do you expect to be here, and might you keep the home when you leave?
What do you actually get in each area?
These are single family homes that sold in the last 12 months, straight from our local MLS.
| Measure | Harker Heights | Nolanville | Three Creeks (Belton ISD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes sold | 321 | 198 | 113 |
| Median sale price | $315,000 | $330,000 | $315,900 |
| Median size | 2,176 sq ft | 1,972 sq ft | 1,951 sq ft |
| Median price per sq ft | $144 | $172 | $163 |
| Median year built | 2004 | 2025 | 2025 |
| Median days on market | 59 | 53 | 52 |
Source: CTX MLS, closed single family sales October 21, 2025 to October 21, 2026. Harker Heights and Nolanville by city; Three Creeks by subdivision.
What this means: closer to post doesn't mean cheaper. If schools matter to you, Belton ISD costs about the same. Harker Heights gives you the most house for the money, but most of those homes are older. Nolanville and Three Creeks are mostly new construction, which means builder incentives are on the table.
Search homes near Fort Hood
Search what's on the market right now in Harker Heights, Nolanville, Belton and nearby. Save the homes you like and I'll see what catches your eye.
Harker Heights and Nolanville: closest to post
If proximity is the priority, this is where I start.
Many of the families I work with here choose newer construction for the builder incentives and the prices. Incentives can make a real difference. For one recent buyer, I negotiated about $20,000 in closing cost concessions, including a rate buydown.
You'll also have more shopping and restaurants close by in Harker Heights and Killeen than you will in Belton. That everyday convenience is a real plus.
Most homes in Harker Heights and Nolanville are in Killeen ISD. Check the exact address with the district before you buy.
Belton ISD and Three Creeks: when schools come first
When schools are the top priority, I start in Belton ISD.
Three Creeks, on the west side of Belton, is one of the biggest areas for military families I work with. It's about 25 minutes to base, it's mostly newer construction from several builders, and it has a playground, hiking trails and a pavilion. It's also close to Stillhouse Hollow Lake and Chalk Ridge Falls.
The lots in Three Creeks are on the smaller side, so if a big yard is high on your list, tell me early and we'll look at other parts of the district.
How do the school districts compare?
| District | 2026 TEA rating | Change from 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Belton ISD | B (80) | Unchanged |
| Copperas Cove ISD | B (85) | Up from B (82) |
| Killeen ISD | C (79) | Up from C (74) |
| Salado ISD | B (82) | Unchanged |
| Temple ISD | B (81) | Up from C (77) |
Source: Texas Education Agency 2026 accountability ratings as reported by KWTX, August 17, 2026.
A few things to know:
- Killeen ISD runs the schools on post. There are no Department of Defense schools at Fort Hood.
- District ratings are only part of the picture. Campus ratings vary a lot within every district, so look up the specific elementary, middle and high school for any home you're considering at TXschools.gov.
- Always confirm zoning by address. Use each district's official lookup tool before you make an offer. Some homes with a Temple or Killeen mailing address are zoned to a different district.
Official boundary lookups:
- Belton ISD school zones
- Copperas Cove ISD school locator
- Temple ISD find my school
- Salado ISD attendance zones
- Killeen ISD
- Fort Hood School Support Services (school liaison)
On post or off post?
On post family housing is run by two providers:
- Cavalry Family Housing: more than 5,500 homes, 2 to 5 bedrooms. cavalryfh.com
- Liberty Village: 2 bedroom homes, mostly for junior enlisted families. fthood-libertyvillage.com
There's a waitlist, and your eligibility date is generally the day you signed out of your last duty station. (Source: Army.mil, September 18, 2025.)
Off post, your BAH goes toward rent or a mortgage, and you choose the town, the school district and the house. That's where I come in.
2026 BAH for Fort Hood
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-4 | $1,662 | $1,374 |
| E-5 | $1,695 | $1,530 |
| E-6 | $1,920 | $1,626 |
| E-7 | $2,070 | $1,668 |
| E-8 | $2,238 | $1,746 |
| E-9 | $2,409 | $1,806 |
| W-2 | $2,139 | $1,743 |
| O-1 | $1,731 | $1,623 |
| O-2 | $1,917 | $1,689 |
| O-3 | $2,340 | $1,833 |
| O-4 | $2,577 | $2,076 |
| O-5 | $2,748 | $2,169 |
Monthly 2026 BAH for the Fort Hood military housing area, effective January 1, 2026. Confirm your rate with the official DoD BAH calculator using ZIP 76544.
Remember that your monthly payment includes property taxes and insurance, and Texas property taxes vary a lot by town and district. I'll walk you through the real monthly cost of any home you're considering.
Which gate will you use?
Where you live should depend on the gate you'll actually use every day, not how close a house looks to post on a map.
- Bernie Beck Main Gate is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Other gates include SPC Guillen Gate, Clear Creek Gate, Mohawk Gate, 79th Street Gate and North Clarke Road Gate. Hours and closures change, so check the official Fort Hood site for current hours.
- Visitors check in at the Marvin Leath Visitors Welcome Center on T.J. Mills Boulevard, next to the Main Gate. A REAL ID is required.
My advice: before you choose a neighborhood, drive from it to your gate at the time you'll actually commute. A drive that looks easy on a map can feel very different at 6:30 in the morning.
How do VA loans and Texas Vet work here?
A lot of my PCS buyers use their VA loan. Some also use Texas Vet, a Texas Veterans Land Board program that usually offers a lower interest rate.
VA loan basics
(source: VA.gov)
- No down payment, as long as the price isn't above the appraised value
- No private mortgage insurance
- A one time funding fee applies unless you're exempt. For example, it's 2.15% for first use with less than 5% down. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are exempt.
- Start with your Certificate of Eligibility
Texas Vet (Veterans Housing Assistance Program)
(source: Texas General Land Office)
- Offered through participating lenders
- Can be combined with a VA, FHA or conventional loan
- Maximum loan amount of $832,750 as of January 2026
- Discounted rates for veterans with a VA disability rating of 30% or more
- Texas Vet home loans
Texas property tax exemptions for veterans
Texas offers a partial property tax exemption based on your disability rating, and a full exemption on your homestead for a 100% rating or individual unemployability. File with the Bell County Appraisal District. (Source: Texas Comptroller.)
Ask your lender which combination makes sense for you. I'm happy to connect you with lenders who work with military buyers every day.
How I help you buy on PCS orders
- We start talking as soon as you know Fort Hood is coming. We get on a call and talk about what you need and the lifestyle you want, then narrow down the areas that fit.
- I set up a home search you can watch. You'll see homes come on the market in the areas we picked. Orders aren't always on time, so most families watch the market until they have a firm report date.
- We plan a scouting trip if you can make it. We drive the areas and tour homes so you can feel the difference between them.
- If you can't come, we video tour. I do a lot of video tours. It depends on your preference, your timing and whether a trip is possible.
- We line up your loan. VA, Texas Vet, or both, with a lender who knows military timelines.
- We time the closing to your report date so you move in once.
Should you rent or buy?
It depends on your plans and where you want to live. I've worked with a PCS family who bought in Belton instead of renting because they knew exactly which elementary school they wanted, there weren't many rentals in that school zone, and they already move so often that they didn't want one more move during their time here.
Should you rent first when moving to Bell County?
Getting orders out: selling or keeping your home
Many families reach out to me well before they know where they're going next. That's the right time to call.
We strategize what makes sense for you. Sometimes selling is the best move, and sometimes keeping the house as a rental makes more sense. We talk through all of your options. (If you decide to rent it out, a local property manager can help with that side.)
Two things I want every military seller to know:
- You may have less equity than you expect. With a VA loan and little or no money down, there isn't always a lot of equity when it's time to sell, depending on the market.
- Price it for what the market supports, not what you want to get. Overpricing can cost you more in the long run, especially if the house sits vacant after you leave and you're paying the mortgage, utilities and upkeep from another state.
Selling when you're moving away: a real example
PCS timeline checklist
As soon as you know Fort Hood is likely
- Call me to talk through areas, schools and budget
- Get your Certificate of Eligibility and talk to a lender
- Start watching a home search
Once you have orders and a report date
- Get preapproved
- Plan a scouting trip or schedule video tours
- If you own a home now, decide whether to sell or keep it
Making an offer
- Confirm the school zone by address
- Drive the commute to your gate
- Review the property taxes and HOA
Before closing
- Schedule your household goods move
- Set up utilities
- File your homestead exemption after you move in
Official resources
- Fort Hood PCS information
- Fort Hood Sponsorship Program
- Fort Hood newcomers
- Military OneSource PCS planning
- DoD BAH calculator
- VA home loans
- Texas Vet home loans
FAQ
Where should I live if I'm PCSing to Fort Hood?
It depends on whether the commute or the school district matters more to you. For the shortest commute, I usually start in Harker Heights or Nolanville. If schools come first, I start in Belton ISD, where Three Creeks is about 25 minutes from base.
Is it cheaper to live closer to Fort Hood?
Not necessarily. Over the last 12 months, the median sale price was $315,000 in Harker Heights, $330,000 in Nolanville and $315,900 in Three Creeks in Belton ISD, according to CTX MLS.
What school district serves Fort Hood?
Killeen ISD runs the schools on post. Most of Harker Heights and Nolanville is also in Killeen ISD. Always confirm the school zone for a specific address with the district.
What is the 2026 BAH at Fort Hood?
For 2026, an E-5 with dependents receives $1,695 a month and an O-3 with dependents receives $2,340, effective January 1, 2026. Check your exact rate on the official DoD BAH calculator with ZIP 76544.
Can I use a VA loan and Texas Vet together?
Many buyers do. Texas Vet can be combined with a VA loan through participating lenders and usually offers a lower interest rate. Ask your lender about your eligibility.
Can I buy a home before I arrive at Fort Hood?
Yes. Many of my PCS buyers buy by video tour. I set up a search you can watch, and we time the closing to your report date.
When should I start looking for a house?
As soon as you know Fort Hood is likely. Start by talking through areas and getting your loan lined up, then watch the market until you have a firm report date.
Should I rent or buy when PCSing to Fort Hood?
It depends on how long you'll be here and where you want to live. Some families buy because they don't want another move, and because rentals in the school zone they want can be limited.
Which Fort Hood gate is open 24/7?
The Bernie Beck Main Gate is open 24 hours a day. Other gate hours change, so check the official Fort Hood website.
Should I sell or rent out my house when I PCS away from Fort Hood?
It depends on your equity, the market and your plans. With a VA loan you may have less equity than you expect, so we look at what the market actually supports before you decide.
Are there property tax exemptions for veterans in Texas?
Yes. Texas offers a partial exemption based on your disability rating and a full homestead exemption for a 100% rating or individual unemployability. File with the Bell County Appraisal District.