Moving To Colorado Springs With Military Orders
April 16, 2026
April 16, 2026
If your PCS orders say Colorado Springs, your housing search is only half defined. This is not a one-base market, and where you live can feel very different depending on whether you are headed to Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, or the U.S. Air Force Academy. The good news is that with the right plan, you can make smart housing decisions early, avoid common lease mistakes, and land in a home that fits your timeline and assignment. Let’s dive in.
Colorado Springs is a multi-installation military market, which means your commute, gate access, and day-to-day routine depend heavily on your exact assignment. Military OneSource’s Fort Carson overview notes that Fort Carson is on the southwest side of the city, Peterson SFB is east of the city, Schriever SFB is farther east, and the U.S. Air Force Academy is northwest of the city.
That matters because a home that looks convenient on a map may not be convenient for your actual duty location. If you are moving with limited house-hunting time, it helps to narrow your search by installation first, then compare housing options from there.
As soon as you receive orders, contact your installation Military Housing Office. According to DoD housing resources, MHOs track on-base and off-base availability, rental rates, referrals, and housing support options.
Starting early is especially important here because Colorado Springs housing can be expensive and competitive. Installation overviews cited by Military OneSource show the local cost of living running above the national average, with housing costs notably higher as well.
If your command approves it, you may be eligible for up to 10 days of house-hunting leave in connection with a PCS. That extra time can make a big difference when you are balancing in-processing, tours, and lease review.
Accompanied families can apply for privatized housing at Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Fort Carson Family Homes describes 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom options, average utilities included, on-site management, 24-hour maintenance, and pet-friendly housing.
At Peterson, the housing office explains that privatized family housing is typically leased on a one-year term with a military clause and lease termination clause, and rent is paid through BAH allotment. The same page notes that utilities are included in rent up to the full BAH amount.
For many families, on-base housing offers predictability. That can be helpful if you want a simpler arrival plan, included utilities, and a location tied closely to your installation.
Off-base housing gives you more flexibility, but it also requires more research and documentation. Local housing offices still play a big role here.
According to Peterson Schriever Space Force Base housing support information, the Housing Management Office can review rental agreements, assist with landlord and resident mediation, and help with approved housing resources. Fort Carson’s housing support also points families to housing resources and one-on-one realtor assistance through local partners.
Before signing any off-base lease, make sure you understand the terms completely. Peterson’s housing guidance says inbound members should request the current off-limits areas list and ensure a military clause is included before signing.
One of the biggest PCS mistakes is assuming BAH will fully cover every housing expense. DoD’s BAH guidance states clearly that BAH is not intended to cover every cost, and your out-of-pocket amount can be higher or lower depending on the home you choose.
That is especially relevant in Colorado Springs. Military OneSource installation pages describe a market where housing costs run above national averages, and reported price points vary by source and date. Even when exact figures differ, the consistent takeaway is that housing pressure is real and the market can move quickly.
A practical way to plan is to build your budget around more than base rent or mortgage alone. Think through:
If your timing does not line up perfectly, temporary lodging can buy you breathing room. Military OneSource’s Temporary Lodging Expense page explains that TLE partially reimburses lodging and meals for CONUS PCS moves, and the policy increased from 14 to 21 days effective November 27, 2024, with more possible in some shortage locations.
That extra time can help if you need to wait for housing availability, finish inspections, or avoid rushing into a lease that is not a good fit. In a fast market, a short temporary stay can sometimes save you from a much bigger and more expensive mistake.
This is one of the most important parts of your move. Inbound military members are specifically encouraged to work with the installation housing office before entering a written lease or rental or sales contract.
Peterson’s housing guidance and Schriever-related housing instructions both emphasize lease review as a pre-signing step. That matters because once you sign, Colorado lease rules still apply.
According to Colorado tenant guidance, both parties are generally bound once a lease is signed, there is no general right to back out, and any lease changes should be in writing and signed by both sides. The same guidance explains that security deposits are generally due back within one month after the lease ends or the unit is returned, unless the written lease extends that timeline up to 60 days.
Before you sign, confirm these details in writing:
If you already have a lease and then receive qualifying orders, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may help you end that lease early without penalty. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s SCRA guidance explains that if the lease was signed before qualifying PCS or deployment orders, you can generally terminate with written notice and a copy of your orders.
CFPB says the lease generally ends 30 days after the due date of the next rent payment. Military OneSource also recommends giving at least 30 days of notice before your planned early termination date.
This protection is valuable, but do not assume it solves every timing issue automatically. Read your lease carefully, keep records, and ask your housing office questions before relying on a verbal interpretation.
A Colorado Springs PCS often comes with a compressed timeline, so remote touring can be part of the process. Military housing resources encourage early online research and housing office support for lease review, referrals, and inspections.
If you are touring remotely, treat the virtual showing like a fact-finding appointment, not just a video walkthrough. Colorado tenant guidance recommends a move-in walkthrough, a signed move-in and move-out checklist, and date-stamped photos or video to document condition.
During a virtual tour, make sure you verify:
It is also smart to save screenshots of listing photos and keep email or portal messages that mention repairs, concessions, or included amenities.
Moving to Colorado Springs is not just a housing adjustment. It is also a climate and elevation adjustment.
Military OneSource installation information for the U.S. Air Force Academy notes that winter mountain-pass travel can be hazardous and that newcomers from lower elevations may experience minor altitude sickness. Schriever-related guidance also notes that winter weather can affect reporting conditions.
If you are arriving during colder months, build in extra flexibility for travel, lodging, and home search timing. A little margin in your schedule can help if weather delays your drive, your household goods, or your first available tour window.
PCS moves go more smoothly when you treat housing like a checklist-driven process. In Colorado Springs, that is especially important because your installation, budget, and timeline all shape what makes sense.
A simple plan can look like this:
If you are buying instead of renting, the same principle applies. Start early, stay document-focused, and make decisions based on your specific assignment rather than a broad Colorado Springs label.
A PCS move can feel overwhelming, but it becomes much more manageable when you break it into clear steps and work with local professionals who understand military timelines. If you want boots-on-the-ground guidance as you narrow locations, compare housing options, or coordinate a remote move, Lauren Trent offers local, hands-on support for military and relocation buyers across the Colorado Springs area.
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