Housing Options Near Malmstrom AFB In Great Falls
April 16, 2026
April 16, 2026
Wondering where to live when you get orders to Malmstrom AFB? You are not alone. A PCS move can bring tight timelines, waitlists, temporary lodging questions, and a lot of decisions about whether on-base housing, off-base renting, or buying makes the most sense. This guide walks you through the main housing options near Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls so you can compare your choices, plan your budget, and move forward with more confidence. Let’s dive in.
Malmstrom AFB sits just east of Great Falls, which makes your housing search more local and manageable than it might be in a larger metro area. According to MilitaryINSTALLATIONS' overview of Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls had 60,013 residents in the 2024 census, and the Great Falls metro area had 84,601 residents.
That smaller-market setup can be helpful during a relocation. Instead of planning around a long regional commute, most service members and families focus on Great Falls and nearby housing options. In practical terms, that means your search often comes down to three paths: on-base housing, renting off base, or buying a home if your timeline and orders support it.
On-base family housing at Malmstrom is privatized and managed by Malmstrom AFB Homes. The Military Housing Office helps validate eligibility, refer qualified members, and assist with lease agreements, military-clause questions, and resident-landlord disputes for both on-base and off-base housing.
Eligibility for on-base housing is tied to PCS orders or assignment to Malmstrom, BAH eligibility, qualifying dependents, or key-and-essential status. According to the housing FAQ, you can submit your application after receiving orders, and placement is based on your eligibility date, pay grade, and family size, not a preferred neighborhood.
That is an important detail if you want a lot of control over timing or location. The same FAQ notes that declining an available home can move you to the bottom of the waitlist, so flexibility matters when you pursue on-base housing.
Malmstrom AFB Homes lists six on-base neighborhoods:
The community also highlights amenities such as a community center, indoor pool, dog park, playgrounds, sports facilities, and pet-friendly housing. If those built-in features match your lifestyle, on-base housing may offer convenience that is hard to duplicate during a fast move.
If your permanent housing is not ready when you arrive, base lodging and Temporary Living Facility options can help bridge the gap. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS states that military members in the Temporary Living Facility may stay up to 30 days, and it recommends reserving early, especially if you need a pet-friendly unit.
The Malmstrom housing FAQ also states that TMO can store household goods for 90 days if housing is not ready. In some cases, a one-time paid move on base may be authorized if your family is already living locally. Those details can make a big difference when your closing date, lease start, or waitlist timing does not line up perfectly.
Because Malmstrom is just east of Great Falls, many households choose to rent off base within the city. That can give you more flexibility with move-in timing, home style, and lease terms, especially if you do not want to depend on the base waitlist.
A smart way to evaluate rentals is to compare the asking rent, utilities, deposits, and lease terms against your BAH and local rent benchmarks. Military OneSource explains that BAH is designed to help service members pay for civilian housing when government quarters are not provided, and HUD's fair market rent figures offer a useful baseline for what rents may look like in the area.
For the Great Falls MSA, HUD's FY2025 fair market rents are:
According to HUD's FY2025 rent limits for Montana, these figures are gross rent estimates that include shelter plus tenant-paid utilities except telephone, cable, and internet. That makes them helpful for broad budgeting, even though they are not live listing prices.
When you review rental options near Malmstrom AFB, focus on the full monthly cost and the terms that affect your flexibility. A lower advertised rent does not always mean a lower total housing cost.
Use this checklist as you compare options:
Before signing, it also helps to use available base resources. Malmstrom legal assistance can advise on landlord-tenant issues and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, while the Housing Office can explain the military clause.
If you are renting or buying in Great Falls, fair housing protections apply. The City of Great Falls fair housing page notes federal protections and additional Montana protections for creed, marital status, and age.
That matters because your housing search should stay focused on lawful, objective factors like budget, property condition, lease terms, location, and commute. A professional local guide can help you keep the process organized and informed.
Buying a home in Great Falls can be a strong option if you expect to stay longer and want more control over your housing. It is usually less ideal when your timeline is uncertain or when you need a fast, temporary landing spot.
For many military buyers, VA-backed financing is the first place to start. The VA states that eligible borrowers can use a VA-backed loan to buy a home, buy a VA-approved condo, build, improve, or refinance a property, and in most cases these loans can be used with no down payment.
According to the VA home loan eligibility guidance, VA-backed loans require satisfactory credit, sufficient income, a valid Certificate of Eligibility, and personal occupancy of the home. The VA also explains that it does not set a minimum credit score, but lenders may have their own standards and will determine loan size based on income, debts, assets, and credit history.
If your PCS timeline is moving fast, getting your Certificate of Eligibility early can save time. The VA says you can request a COE online or through a lender, which can make the loan process easier to start before you arrive.
Buying often fits best when:
Renting or on-base housing may fit better when:
One of the best ways to lower stress is to build your support stack before you commit to a lease or purchase. Malmstrom offers several resources that can help you line up housing, logistics, and relocation planning.
The Military and Family Readiness Center relocation assistance program provides PCS planning, newcomer in-processing, Plan My Move, and Military OneSource support. It also notes that newcomers are scheduled within five days of arrival.
That same relocation resource notes that spouse licensure reimbursement of up to $1,000 may be available under PCS rules. If your move involves both housing and employment planning, that benefit may be worth exploring early.
For most military moves to Great Falls, the most useful starting lineup includes:
The Housing Office specifically states that it works with landlords, realtors, and property managers to provide current local market information. That is a good reminder that you do not have to sort through every option on your own.
If you are trying to narrow down your next step, keep it simple. Start with your timeline, budget, and how much flexibility you need.
Choose on-base housing if you want a community setting with built-in amenities and are comfortable with the waitlist process. Choose an off-base rental if you want more control over move-in timing and lease choices. Consider buying if you expect to stay longer and want to use VA-backed financing to build more long-term stability.
If you are relocating to Great Falls and want help comparing neighborhoods, rental areas, or homes for sale near Malmstrom AFB, connect with Live in Montana Real Estate. Our team understands military relocation timelines and can help you make a practical plan for your move.
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