Camp Lejeune PCS Complete Guide

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Camp Lejeune is the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast, home to II Marine Expeditionary Force. High deployment tempo with MEU rotations every 12-18 months. Jacksonville is 100% a military town—rough around the edges but affordable. Beaches 20 min away. Water contamination history is resolved but ongoing compensation program exists.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Tight fit (E5 BAH barely covers median 3BR house)
• Median Rent (3BR house): $1,500/month (you'll pocket $90)
• Deployment Tempo: Very High (II MEF MEUs deploy 7-9 months every 12-18 months)
• State Income Tax: 4.75% (NC), but military pay under $42K exempt
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Onslow County—Swansboro area best)
• Climate: Humid subtropical, 85-95°F + 80% humidity summers
• Hurricane Risk: High (Sep-Nov evacuation orders are real)

What This Guide Covers: This is your complete PCS intel for Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville. You'll get real BAH rates, best neighborhoods ranked, actual school ratings, deployment tempo by unit, cost of living breakdown, spouse employment market, and honest answers to common questions. No fluff—just the intel you need to execute your move.

Want real-time data? This guide provides 2025 rates and static intel. For live housing prices, current school ratings, and personalized recommendations, use Base Navigator → (Premium)

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Quick Facts

• Location: Jacksonville, NC (Onslow County)
• Major Units: II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), 2nd Marine Division
• Population: ~40,000 active duty Marines, ~100,000 total (with families)
• Installation Size: 156,000 acres (largest Marine Corps base)
• Gates: 14 gates (Main Gate busiest, Holcomb Blvd for north access)
• Nearest Major City: Jacksonville (adjacent), Wilmington (45 min south)

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BAH Rates

Your BAH for Jacksonville depends on rank and dependency status. Use this calculator to find your exact rate:

BAH rates sourced from Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), updated annually. See official source →

Reality Check: Rent for a 3BR house averages $1,500/month in decent neighborhoods. You'll actually pocket $90/month—not bad.

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Housing: Best Neighborhoods Ranked

Top Tier (Best for Families)

1. Swansboro (south of base) - 7-8/10 schools, safe, 20-25 min commute, $1,700-2,000/month

   • Historic waterfront town, family-friendly
   • Best schools in Onslow County (Swansboro High 7/10)
   • Tourist town vibe but quieter in off-season

2. Sneads Ferry (north of base) - 7/10 schools, fishing village, 15-20 min commute, $1,600-1,900/month

   • Small fishing community, quieter than Jacksonville
   • Close to beaches (Topsail Island 10 min)
   • Tight-knit community, safe

3. Hubert/Piney Green (west of base) - 6-7/10 schools, affordable, 10-15 min commute, $1,400-1,700/month

   • Closest to base, easy gate access
   • Military-heavy community (everyone's in the same boat)
   • More affordable, pocket more BAH

Avoid

• Downtown Jacksonville - High crime, avoid after dark
• East Jacksonville (Gum Branch area) - Rough, not safe
• Western Blvd corridor - Sketchy, pawn shops, check cashing places

On-Base Housing

• Quality: 6-7/10 (Corvias managed, recently upgraded)
• Waitlist: 9-12 months for 3-4BR
• Cost: BAH auto-deducted
• Verdict: Off-base is better (schools, pocket money, more space)

School District Info: Onslow County Schools (overall 6-7/10). Best sub-districts: Swansboro area (7-8/10), Dixon area (7/10). Avoid Jacksonville city schools (5-6/10). Register early. Onslow County Schools

For live school ratings and neighborhood analysis: Base Navigator →

Local Intel (What You Actually Need to Know)

Cost of Living: Jacksonville is 5% above national average—not bad for East Coast. Groceries and utilities are higher, but rent is reasonable. You'll pocket some BAH here.

Jacksonville Reality: It's a military town. That's it. The base IS the economy. Tattoo shops, pawn shops, used car lots. If you're looking for culture, this ain't it. Wilmington (45 min) has that. But Jacksonville is affordable and everyone here is military—you'll fit in.

Beaches:

• Topsail Island: 20 min north (quieter, family beaches)
• Emerald Isle: 30 min south (nicer, more developed)
• Wrightsville Beach: 45 min (Wilmington area, best beaches)

Traffic & Commuting: Hwy 24 is the main artery. Rush hour 6-8am and 4-6pm is rough near Main Gate. Use Holcomb Blvd (north) or Sneads Ferry Rd if possible. Jacksonville traffic is bearable compared to most bases.

Weather:

• Summer: 85-95°F + 80% humidity (you'll sweat walking to your car)
• Winter: 40-60°F, mild, minimal heating bills
• Hurricane Season: Sep-Nov (evacuation orders happen—have a plan)
• Humidity: Year-round, mold is a thing (run dehumidifiers)

Commissary & Shopping:

• Commissary: On-base, decent size, worth using
• MCX: Marine Corps Exchange, good for basics
• Off-Base: Coastal Carolina shopping area (Target, Walmart, Lowe's)

Healthcare:

• Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune (on-base): Primary care, ER, decent
• Onslow Memorial Hospital (off-base): Better for specialists
• Tricare: Prime/Standard both work well here

Things to Do:

• Beaches: Topsail, Emerald Isle, Wrightsville (20-45 min)
• Wilmington: 45 min south (riverwalk, restaurants, culture)
• Raleigh: 2 hours (state capital, pro sports, airport)
• Myrtle Beach: 2 hours south (golf, touristy)

Hidden Gems:

• Hammocks Beach State Park (undeveloped barrier island)
• Swansboro waterfront (Friday night live music)
• New River (kayaking, fishing)

Areas to Avoid:

• Downtown Jacksonville after dark - High crime
• East Jacksonville - Avoid entirely
• Western Blvd strip - Sketchy businesses

Water Contamination (Important): Camp Lejeune had contaminated water 1953-1987. It's been fixed since 1987. If you or family lived here during that period, you may qualify for healthcare/compensation under Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Current water is safe and regularly tested.

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What's It Like to Live at Camp Lejeune?

Real Talk: Camp Lejeune is the East Coast's largest Marine base, home to II MEF. If you're infantry or aviation, expect constant MEU rotations—7-9 month deployments every 12-18 months. Jacksonville is rough but affordable. The Marine spouse community is tight-knit because everyone deploys constantly. Beaches are close, but the town itself has nothing.

Deployment Tempo:

• II MEF MEUs (Infantry/Artillery): Very High—7-9 month deployments every 12-18 months, plus pre-deployment workups
• 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing: Very High—frequent det deployments, constant training
• Combat Support: High—deploy less but support MEU workups heavily
• Support Units: Moderate—fewer deployments but still MEU support

Quality of Life:

• Affordable: BAH covers rent with $90 pocket money (rare for East Coast)
• Military Town: Jacksonville IS the base—everyone here is military
• Beaches Close: 20-30 min to Topsail, Emerald Isle
• Humid AF: 80%+ humidity year-round, mold is real

The Good:

• Affordable—you'll actually pocket some BAH
• Beaches 20-30 min away (Topsail, Emerald Isle, Wrightsville)
• No state tax on military pay under $42K (E5 and below)
• Tight Marine spouse community (everyone deploys, you're not alone)

The Not-So-Good:

• Jacksonville is rough—high crime, not much to do
• Very high deployment tempo = constant family separations
• Humid year-round, mold issues are common
• Hurricane evacuations Sep-Nov (base will order you to leave)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: +5% higher — Slightly above average
Housing: 0% (on par) — BAH covers rent with buffer
Groceries: +3% higher — Commissary helps
Utilities: +10% higher — AC runs 7+ months, electric $200-300 summer
Transportation: -5% lower — Gas, insurance cheaper than coasts
Healthcare: N/A — Tricare/Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune

Monthly Budget (E5 with 2 kids, off-base):

• Rent: $1,500 (3BR house in Hubert/Sneads Ferry)
• Utilities: $200-300 (AC runs May-Oct, electric spikes summer)
• Groceries: $850 (family of 4, commissary + Food Lion mix)
• Gas: $150 (two cars, commute 15-25 min)
• Childcare: $600-900 (if needed—CDC waitlist 9-12 months)
• Entertainment: $200-300 (beaches free, Wilmington trips add up)
• Total: $3,500-4,200/month

BAH vs. Reality (E5 with dependents):

• BAH Coverage: Tight—rent maxes out BAH with minimal buffer
• Savings Potential: Minimal—need to find affordable housing to pocket cash
• Median Rent: $1,500/month
• Buffer: $90/month (you'll actually pocket money)

State Taxes:

• North Carolina: 4.75% state income tax
• Military pay under $42K is EXEMPT (E5 and below don't pay)
• E6+ pay NC tax on amount over $42K
• No local income taxes

Pro Tips to Save Money:

• Shop commissary for meat/staples (20% savings)
• Live in Hubert or Sneads Ferry (save $200-300/month vs Swansboro)
• Use free beaches (Topsail, Emerald Isle public access)
• Food Lion has better produce than commissary
• MCX tax-free shopping saves on big purchases

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Jacksonville's economy is 100% military. Most civilian jobs are base-related or service industry. Wilmington (45 min) has better opportunities but that commute gets old. Remote work is the best option if possible.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. Healthcare: Onslow Memorial Hospital, Coastal Carolina Health Care (RNs start $58K+)
2. On-Base Contractors: KBR, DynCorp, Vectrus (logistics, admin, warehouse)
3. Retail/Service: Coastal Carolina shopping area (Target, Walmart, Lowe's)
4. Education: Onslow County Schools (teachers start $42K)
5. Remote Work: Best option—many spouses work remote to avoid local job market

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $58,000-70,000
• On-base contractor (admin): $32,000-45,000
• Retail management: $28,000-38,000
• Teaching (NC): $42,000-52,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Camp Lejeune has large NAF workforce (CDC, MWR, MCX)
• Marine & Family Services job assistance programs
• MyCAA grants available
• Marine spouse groups extremely active (II MEF spouses especially)

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 9-12 months (get on list at PCS orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $125-200/week per child (affordable)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $100-175/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $75-150/week

For Families:

• Schools: Live in Swansboro for best schools (7-8/10) or Sneads Ferry (7/10)
• Activities: Beaches, fishing, New River kayaking, Wilmington day trips
• Support: Marine spouse community is STRONG—constant deployments mean tight FRG networks

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Common Questions About Camp Lejeune

Q: Is Camp Lejeune a good duty station? A: If you can handle deployment tempo and a rough town, yes. Affordable, beaches close, tight Marine community. But Jacksonville itself has nothing and II MEF deploys constantly.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base in Hubert, Sneads Ferry, or Swansboro. On-base housing is 6-7/10 quality with long waitlists. Off-base gets you better schools and you pocket $90/month.

Q: How bad is Jacksonville really? A: It's rough. High crime downtown, nothing to do, typical military town issues. But everyone here is military so you fit in. Wilmington (45 min) has culture/food. Beaches (20 min) are great.

Q: Can I avoid deployments at Camp Lejeune? A: Not if you're infantry or aviation. II MEF MEUs rotate constantly—7-9 months every 12-18 months. Support units deploy less but still support workups. This is an operational base.

Q: What's the best neighborhood for families? A: Swansboro (best schools 7-8/10, safest, but $1,700-2,000 rent) or Sneads Ferry (good schools 7/10, quieter, $1,600-1,900). Hubert if you want to save money ($1,400-1,700).

Q: What about the water contamination? A: Fixed in 1987. Current water is safe and tested regularly. If you lived here 1953-1987, you may qualify for Camp Lejeune Justice Act compensation. File claim at VA.

Q: What about hurricanes? A: They happen Sep-Nov. Base will order mandatory evacuation if needed. Have a plan (where you'll go, important docs ready). Insurance is mandatory for off-base housing.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Locally? Healthcare and on-base contracting are best bets ($32-70K). Remote work is ideal if possible. Wilmington (45 min) has better jobs but commute is rough.

Q: What's there to do? A: Beaches (Topsail, Emerald Isle, Wrightsville), Wilmington riverwalk/restaurants, fishing, kayaking. Base MWR has solid programs. If you need city culture, Raleigh is 2 hours.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

This guide gave you the local intel. Now use our premium tools to execute:

1. Interactive Data (Live Updates)

Base Navigator →

• Real-time housing prices
• Current school ratings
• Neighborhood analysis with commute times
• Family Fit Score for each ZIP code

2. Full PCS Planning

PCS Copilot →

• 180-day move timeline with your orders
• Entitlements calculator (DLA, DITY, travel days)
• Finance office submission checklist
• DD1299 and voucher prep

3. Verify Your Pay

LES Auditor →

• Upload your LES, check for errors
• Verify BAH is correct for Jacksonville
• Catch FICA, state tax, or allowance mistakes

4. Ask Our AI Expert

Ask Military Expert →

• Get answers on PCS, entitlements, or Camp Lejeune specifics
• Powered by 6,539 military knowledge embeddings

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Questions? Drop a note in Ask Military Expert or email support@garrisonledger.com.

Good luck with your PCS. Semper Fi!

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Official Resources & References

This guide synthesizes data from official Department of Defense sources. For additional information:

• Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) - Official military pay and allowances
• Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) - PCS entitlements and regulations
• MilitaryOneSource - Free 24/7 counseling and family support
• Defense Travel Management Office - Official BAH rates and per diem

Last verified: 2025-01-15. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.