Joint Base Andrews PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Local Intel

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Joint Base Andrews is home to Air Force One, the 11th Wing, and the 316th Wing with 10,000 military personnel and 14,000 civilians, serving the National Capital Region.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Inadequate (E5 BAH falls $400-600/month short of median 3BR in good areas)
• Median 3BR Rent: $2,200/month (DC metro pricing—one of most expensive markets)
• School Quality: Extreme variance—Howard County and Anne Arundel (8-9/10) excellent, Prince George's County (4-6/10) mostly poor
• Cost of Living: 35% above national average

What This Guide Covers: Housing neighborhoods with real prices, school ratings by name, and DC Metro military life intel.

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Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Joint Base Andrews (JBA)
• Location: Prince George's County, MD (DC Metro) / 15 miles southeast of Washington, DC
• Size: 4,320 acres
• Population: 10,000 military + 14,000 civilians
• Branch: Joint (Air Force lead - 11th Wing, Navy - Naval Air Facility Washington)
• Major Units: 11th Wing, 316th Wing, 89th Airlift Wing (Air Force One/Two), 459th Air Refueling Wing, Presidential Airlift Group, DCNG
• Climate: Humid subtropical - hot summers (85-95°F), cold winters (25-45°F), four distinct seasons
• Nearest Major City: Washington, DC (15 miles), Baltimore (30 miles)

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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BAH Rates

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

Reality Check: For E5 with dependents, BAH is significantly insufficient for DC Metro housing in good school districts. You'll pay $400-800/month out-of-pocket to live in Anne Arundel or Howard County (good schools). Prince George's County fits BAH better but school quality is poor. This is one of the worst BAH-to-cost ratios in the military. Senior officers still struggle. Dual-income highly recommended.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

Top Tier - Best Value (But Still Expensive)

1. Glen Burnie / Pasadena, MD (Anne Arundel County)

• Median Rent: $2,100/month (3BR house)
• Commute: 25-30 min to JBA
• Schools: 7-8/10 (Anne Arundel County Public Schools)
• Why It's Good: Best balance of commute/cost/schools, safer than PG County, established neighborhoods
• Watch Out For: Still $300-500/month above BAH, Baltimore proximity adds traffic

2. Bowie, MD (Prince George's County - North)

• Median Rent: $2,000/month
• Commute: 20-25 min to JBA
• Schools: 6-7/10 (better than most PG County)
• Why It's Good: More affordable than Anne Arundel, safer area of PG County, commute reasonable
• Watch Out For: Schools still lag Anne Arundel/Howard, $200-400/month above BAH

3. Columbia / Ellicott City, MD (Howard County)

• Median Rent: $2,400-2,600/month
• Commute: 35-45 min to JBA
• Schools: 8-9/10 (Howard County - best schools in MD)
• Why It's Good: Top-tier schools, safe, excellent amenities, master-planned community (Columbia)
• Watch Out For: Way above BAH ($600-900/month out-of-pocket), long commute, brutal traffic

Affordable But Know What You're Getting

Clinton / Fort Washington, MD (Prince George's County)

• Median Rent: $1,900/month
• Commute: 15-20 min to JBA
• Schools: 5-6/10 (Prince George's County - weak)
• Why Know: Closest and most affordable, fits BAH better
• Reality: School quality poor, higher crime than Anne Arundel/Howard. Only choose if budget trumps everything.

Avoid / Know What You're Getting Into

District Heights / Suitland, MD (Prince George's County)

• Why Avoid: High crime, poorest schools in area (3-4/10), aging housing
• Rent: $1,700-1,800
• Reality: Not worth the savings—safety and school quality are terrible

On-Base Housing

JBA Family Housing (managed by Corvias)

• Availability: Long waitlist (8-14 months typical)
• Quality: Mix of older and renovated 2-4 BR townhomes/houses
• Pros: Zero commute, no rent out-of-pocket, utilities included, on-base schools (K-8)
• Cons: Long waitlist, older homes, limited high school on-base (must go off-base)
• Wait List: E5-E6 typically 10-14 months
• Verdict: Worth the wait if you can get in—saves $400-800/month vs off-base good school areas

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Schools

Best School Districts (Worth the Commute/Cost):

Howard County Public Schools (Top Choice)

• Rating: 8-9/10
• Standout Schools:
  • River Hill High School (9/10)
  • Centennial High School (9/10)
  • Oakland Mills High School (8/10)
• Why Good: Best schools in Maryland, wealthy county, excellent funding, top academics, diverse programs
• Reality: Expensive housing and long commute, but worth it for families with school-age kids
• Link: Howard County Schools

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

• Rating: 7-8/10
• Standout Schools:
  • Broadneck High School (8/10)
  • South River High School (7/10)
  • Old Mill High School (7/10)
• Why Good: Solid academics, safer than PG County, reasonable commute, good value
• Link: Anne Arundel County Schools

Schools to Avoid:

Prince George's County Public Schools

• Rating: 4-6/10 (highly variable, mostly poor)
• Why Avoid: Low test scores, safety concerns, funding challenges, high turnover
• Exceptions: Bowie area schools are 6-7/10 (better than rest of county but still lag Anne Arundel/Howard)
• Reality: Only choose PG County schools if absolutely necessary for budget

DoDEA Schools On Base:

Andrews Elementary School (K-5)
Thurgood Marshall Elementary (K-5)
Malcolm Grow Child Development Center

DoDEA Quality: 6-7/10, convenient for on-base residents, better than PG County schools but not as strong as Anne Arundel/Howard.

Critical Note: No DoDEA high school on base—middle/high schoolers must go to local public schools off-base.

Pro Tip: Live in Anne Arundel County if you can afford $300-500/month out-of-pocket. Howard County if you have dual-income and can afford $600-900/month out-of-pocket. Avoid Prince George's County schools unless budget absolutely requires it.

For detailed school intelligence and real-time ratings: Base Navigator →

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Local Intel

Cost of Living

Overall: 35% higher — DC Metro pricing
Housing: 50% higher — One of most expensive markets
Groceries: 15% higher — Metro area premiums
Utilities: 10% higher — Standard metro rates
Gas: 15% higher — MD/DC fuel taxes

Traffic & Commute

• Morning Rush: 6-9:30 AM gridlock on I-95, I-495 (Beltway), US-50, MD-295 (BW Parkway)
• Afternoon Rush: 3-7 PM absolute gridlock everywhere
• Reality: DC Metro has worst traffic in America. 30-45 min commutes turn into 60-90 min during rush hour. Budget 1+ hour commute from Howard County. Base access gates back up 20-30 min during peak.

Weather Reality

• Summer: 85-95°F, humid, afternoon thunderstorms
• Winter: 25-45°F, snow/ice common, occasional heavy storms
• Spring/Fall: Pleasant, beautiful
• Reality: Four distinct seasons. Snow shuts down DC Metro (locals can't drive in it). Summer humidity brutal. Spring/Fall are best.

Commissary & Shopping

• Commissary: On-base, well-stocked, extremely busy (avoid weekends)
• Wegmans: Premium grocery chain, beloved by locals, higher prices
• Giant / Safeway: Standard metro grocery stores
• Arundel Mills Mall: Major shopping (Anne Arundel County)
• Bowie Town Center: Shopping/dining (Prince George's County)

Things to Do

• Washington, DC: World-class museums (Smithsonian—free), monuments, National Mall, dining, theater
• Baltimore: Inner Harbor, Orioles/Ravens, aquarium (30 min)
• Annapolis: State capital, Naval Academy, sailing, historic downtown (25 min)
• Chesapeake Bay: Boating, fishing, crabbing, beaches
• Mountains: Shenandoah National Park, skiing (2 hours west)
• Beaches: Ocean City, MD (3 hours), Delaware beaches (2.5 hours)
• Pro Sports: Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, Commanders (DC)

What to Avoid

• Don't: Expect BAH to cover housing in good school areas (it won't)
• Don't: Live in Prince George's County without researching specific neighborhoods (crime varies wildly)
• Don't: Underestimate traffic—it's the worst in America
• Don't: Ignore school district differences—quality gap is extreme

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What's It Like to Live at Joint Base Andrews?

Joint Base Andrews is a prestige assignment in an expensive metro with challenging quality of life shaped by DC traffic, cost of living, and mission importance.

Deployment Tempo:

• 11th Wing: Low—stay CONUS, support NCR mission
• 89th Airlift Wing (Air Force One): Low—presidential support, no deployments
• 316th Wing: Low to moderate—support mission, some TDYs
• 459th Air Refueling Wing: Moderate—reserve unit, activations and exercises
• Reality: JBA is primarily a support and prestige mission—deployments are rare compared to operational wings.

Quality of Life Assessment: 6.5/10

Pros:

• Prestige assignment (Air Force One, White House support)
• World-class cultural attractions (DC museums, monuments)
• Excellent career opportunities (Pentagon, agencies, contractors)
• Low deployment tempo (family stability)

Cons:

• Worst BAH-to-cost ratio in military (constant financial stress)
• Traffic is brutal (worst in America)
• School quality gap extreme (must choose carefully and pay premium)
• High cost of living drains budgets

The Verdict: JBA is ideal for career-focused military members, families with dual-income, and those who love big-city culture. It's not ideal for single-income families, anyone on tight budgets, or people who hate traffic and high costs.

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base): $2,200
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $250
• Groceries: $900
• Gas/Transportation: $350
• Childcare (1 child, if needed): $1,200
• Internet/Phone: $170
• Misc/Entertainment: $450
• Total: $5,520

BAH vs. Reality:

BAH Coverage: Severely inadequate—E5 BAH falls $400-800/month short of rent in decent neighborhoods with acceptable schools. Anne Arundel and Howard County require significant out-of-pocket. Prince George's County fits BAH better but school quality is poor. This is one of the hardest assignments financially in the entire military.

State Tax Reality:

Maryland: High state income tax (2-5.75% progressive). E5 with family pays ~$1,500-2,200/year in state taxes. One of the higher-tax states.

Savings Potential:

Minimal to negative. High housing costs, taxes, and DC Metro lifestyle make saving nearly impossible for junior enlisted. Many families go into debt. Senior ranks and dual-income families can manage but still feel the squeeze.

Money-Saving Tips:

1. Get on-base housing: No rent out-of-pocket = save $800-1,200/month vs off-base
2. Shop commissary aggressively: Saves 20-30% vs Wegmans/Giant
3. Carpool to base: Save gas and parking costs
4. Use free DC attractions: Smithsonian museums, monuments, National Mall (all free)
5. Live in PG County: Save $200-400/month vs Anne Arundel but accept school tradeoff
6. Dual-income mandatory: Spouse employment is critical for financial survival at JBA

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality:

DC Metro has one of the strongest job markets in America—federal government, contractors, healthcare, tech.

Realistic Expectations:

• Federal government jobs abundant (security clearance helps)
• Defense contractors hiring aggressively (Lockheed, Northrop, Booz Allen, SAIC)
• Healthcare strong (Johns Hopkins, MedStar, University of Maryland Medical)
• Professional opportunities excellent (law, lobbying, associations)

Top Spouse Employers:

1. JBA Civilian Jobs: Admin, IT, medical, logistics ($20-40/hr)
2. Pentagon / DoD Agencies: Professional positions, security clearance required ($25-55/hr)
3. Defense Contractors (Lockheed, Northrop, Booz Allen, SAIC): Technical roles, security clearance preferred ($30-65/hr)
4. Federal Government: Multiple agencies, security clearance helps ($22-50/hr)
5. Johns Hopkins / University of Maryland Medical: Nurses, healthcare professionals ($24-45/hr)

Military Spouse Preference:

JBA has extremely active MSP hiring. Competition is high—apply early, apply often, network aggressively.

Childcare Reality:

• CDC Waitlist: 10-18 months typical, get on list before PCS orders
• CDC Cost: $180-300/week based on rank
• Off-Base Daycare: $1,100-1,500/month (DC Metro pricing), abundant options
• Family Childcare (FCC): Home providers on base, shorter waitlist but still long

Family Activities & Support:

• Airman & Family Readiness Center: Employment assistance critical for spouse jobs
• Youth Programs: Base sports, camps, teen center
• MWR: Pools, golf, outdoor recreation, bowling
• DC Attractions: Smithsonian museums, National Zoo, monuments (all free)

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Common Questions About Joint Base Andrews

Q: Will BAH cover housing?
A: No. E5 BAH falls $400-800/month short in good school areas (Anne Arundel, Howard). You'll pay out-of-pocket or compromise on schools (Prince George's County).

Q: How bad is the traffic?
A: Worst in America. 30 min commutes turn into 90 min during rush hour. Budget 1+ hour from Howard County. It's brutal and soul-crushing.

Q: What about schools?
A: Critical decision. Howard County is best (8-9/10) but expensive and long commute. Anne Arundel is solid (7-8/10) and more affordable. Prince George's County is mostly poor (4-6/10). Research exact school assignments before leasing.

Q: Can we survive on single military income?
A: Very difficult. Dual-income is highly recommended. Many families go into debt at JBA on single income. Budget carefully and get on-base housing if possible.

Q: Is JBA a good assignment?
A: Depends. Career-wise, yes (prestige, networking, Pentagon proximity). Family/financial, challenging (expensive, traffic, school gaps). Dual-income families do better.

Q: Do people deploy from JBA?
A: Rarely. JBA is primarily a support mission. TDYs happen, but full deployments are uncommon compared to operational wings.

Q: What's there to do?
A: Everything (major metro). World-class museums, monuments, pro sports, theater, dining, Baltimore, Annapolis, mountains, beaches. DC offers unmatched cultural opportunities.

Q: Should spouse get a job?
A: Absolutely. Dual-income is nearly mandatory to survive financially at JBA. Spouse employment also builds career/network for post-military life.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

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Last Updated: November 11, 2025
Next Review: February 2026

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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: 2025-11-11. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.