Maxwell AFB PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Montgomery Living

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Maxwell AFB is home to Air University and the 42nd Air Base Wing with 5,500 active duty/students. This is primarily an education and professional development base—not operational flying. Montgomery, AL is the state capital (200K people) with affordable living, but mixed schools and hot/humid summers.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Excellent fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house with $400-500 buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,200/month (very affordable)
• School Quality: Live in Prattville (7-8/10) or Pike Road (8-9/10), avoid Montgomery Public (4-6/10)
• Mission: Education hub (Air War College, Squadron Officer School, Officer Training School)

What This Guide Covers: Housing with real prices, school ratings, Montgomery intel, and Air University mission realities.

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

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Maxwell Air Force Base (includes Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex)
• Location: Montgomery, AL (Montgomery County) - within city limits
• Size: 3,250 acres (Maxwell) + 640 acres (Gunter Annex)
• Population: 5,500 active duty/students + 12,000 total (civilians + dependents + students)
• Branch: Air Force (AETC - Air Education and Training Command)
• Major Units: Air University (Air War College, Squadron Officer School, Officer Training School), 42nd Air Base Wing
• Climate: Humid subtropical—hot/humid summers (95°F+), mild winters (50-60°F), humid year-round
• Nearest Major City: Birmingham, AL (90 miles north), Atlanta, GA (2.5 hours)

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BAH Rates

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

Key Insight: BAH comfortably covers rent in Prattville (7-8/10 schools) or Pike Road (8-9/10 schools, best in area) with $300-500 left over. Montgomery is cheap—median rent is $1,200 vs E5 BAH ~$1,700. This is a money-saving post. Avoid Montgomery Public Schools (4-6/10) unless you're childless.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

🏆 Tier 1 - Best for Families (Live Here)

Pike Road, AL (East of Montgomery):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,400/month
• Commute: 25-30 minutes to main gate
• Schools: 8-9/10 (Pike Road Schools—best in area, new district)
• Vibe: Suburban, family-oriented, fastest-growing area
• Why: Best schools near Maxwell, safe, worth the 25-min commute, pocket $300/month

Prattville, AL (Northwest of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,250/month
• Commute: 20-25 minutes to gate
• Schools: 7-8/10 (Autauga County schools—solid)
• Vibe: Suburban, family-friendly, established community
• Why: Good schools, safe, pocket $400-450/month

Millbrook, AL (North of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,200/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to gate
• Schools: 7/10 (Elmore County schools—decent)
• Vibe: Suburban, quiet, growing area
• Why: Close to base, decent schools, pocket $500/month

⚠️ Tier 2 - Livable But Research Carefully

East Montgomery (Near base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,100/month
• Commute: 5-10 minutes to gate
• Schools: 5-6/10 (Montgomery Public Schools—weak)
• Vibe: Mixed neighborhoods, older homes
• Trade-off: Short commute + cheap rent but poor schools

On-Base Housing (Privatized - Corvias):

• Cost: Free (BAH auto-deducted)
• Wait Time: 4-8 months
• Quality: 7/10 (renovated, decent condition)
• Schools: Bus to Montgomery Public Schools (5-6/10)
• Why: Convenience, but sacrifice school quality

❌ Tier 3 - Avoid Unless You Know What You're Doing

West Montgomery:

• High crime, very poor schools (4-5/10)
• Not worth ANY savings

Downtown Montgomery:

• High crime at night, poor schools (4-6/10), limited family housing
• Only for DINKs who want urban living

Pro Tip: Pike Road is the gold standard—8-9/10 schools, safest area, worth the 25-min commute (pocket $300). Prattville is the sweet spot—7-8/10 schools, 20-min commute, pocket $400-450. Millbrook is good value—7/10 schools, 15-min commute, pocket $500. Avoid Montgomery Public Schools (4-6/10) unless childless.

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Schools

Top Elementary Schools

• Pike Road Elementary (Pike Road) - 9/10 - Best elementary near base
• Prattville Primary/Intermediate (Prattville) - 8/10 - Excellent
• Millbrook Elementary (Millbrook) - 7/10 - Solid option

Top Middle Schools

• Pike Road Middle (Pike Road) - 8/10 - Strong academics
• Prattville Junior High (Prattville) - 7/10 - Decent
• Elmore County Middle (Millbrook) - 7/10 - Average

Top High Schools

• Pike Road High School (Pike Road) - 9/10 - Best high school near base
• Prattville High School (Prattville) - 8/10 - Solid academics
• Stanhope Elmore High (Millbrook) - 7/10 - Decent

Private Schools

• Montgomery Academy (East Montgomery) - 9/10 - Elite private (K-12, $16K-22K/year)
• Trinity Presbyterian (Montgomery) - 8/10 - Christian private (K-12, $10K-15K/year)

Schools to Avoid

• Montgomery Public Schools (most) - 4-6/10 - Struggling district
• West Montgomery schools - 4-5/10 - Very poor

School District Strategy: Pike Road Schools (8-9/10) are the best in the area—new district (est. 2015), excellent facilities, safe. Autauga County (Prattville, 7-8/10) is solid. Elmore County (Millbrook, 7/10) is decent. Montgomery Public Schools (4-6/10) are weak—avoid unless childless. Private schools (Montgomery Academy 9/10, Trinity Presbyterian 8/10) are excellent but pricey ($10K-22K/year).

For live school ratings and neighborhood analysis: Base Navigator →

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Local Intel (What You Actually Need to Know)

Cost of Living

Overall: -12% lower — Southern Alabama affordability
Housing: -15% lower — BAH covers rent with $300-500 buffer
Groceries: -8% lower — Commissary + off-base savings
Gas: -5% lower — Cheaper than coasts

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in Prattville): $1,250
• Utilities (electric + AC in summer): $190 (summer: $260-300)
• Groceries: $770
• Gas (commute + errands): $160
• Internet/Streaming: $90
• Kids (activities, daycare part-time): $340

Total: ~$2,800/month (summer: ~$2,920 with higher AC)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,500/month (covers housing + food, pocket $580-700)

State Taxes

• Alabama: 2%-5% state income tax (graduated)
• No local taxes: Montgomery has no additional city tax
• Military Benefit: Active duty can claim home state of record (tax advantage if from no-income-tax state)

BAH Reality: E5 with dependents BAH (~$1,700) covers Prattville rent ($1,250) with $450 left over. Live in Pike Road ($1,400, best schools) and pocket $300. Live in Millbrook ($1,200) and pocket $500. This is a money-saving post—use the buffer to save $4,000-6,000/year extra.

Pro Tip: Prattville is the sweet spot—7-8/10 schools, pocket $450/month. Pike Road has best schools (8-9/10) but only pocket $300. Millbrook is best for savings ($500/month pocket) with 7/10 schools. Budget for summer AC spike ($260-300/month vs $150 winter).

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: 7-8:30am, 4:30-6pm (moderate, not terrible)
• Best Routes: I-65 (north-south), Highway 231 (north), Eastern Boulevard (east)
• Worst: I-85 into downtown (moderate congestion)
• Pro Tip: 15-30 minute commute from suburbs (Prattville, Pike Road, Millbrook)

Commissary & BX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings, early afternoons
• Worst Times: Weekends (packed), paydays
• Off-Base Alternative: Walmart, Target, Costco (all in Montgomery)

Things You Should Know

• Education mission: Air University (Air War College, Squadron Officer School, OTS)—NO operational flying
• Students: Many officers here for 1-year professional military education (PME) courses
• Minimal deployments: Support staff only—students/instructors stay CONUS
• Hot/humid summers: 95-100°F + 80% humidity (May-September), AC runs constantly
• Civil Rights history: Montgomery is birthplace of Civil Rights Movement (Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr.)
• Alabama State Capital: Government jobs, state agencies

Hidden Gems

• Montgomery Zoo (15 min) - Decent zoo, family-friendly
• Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church (Downtown) - MLK Jr. preached here, Civil Rights history
• Rosa Parks Museum (Downtown) - Montgomery Bus Boycott history
• Alabama State Capitol (Downtown) - Historic building, state government
• Riverwalk Stadium (Downtown) - Montgomery Biscuits (AA baseball)
• Wind Creek Casino (Wetumpka, 20 min) - Gambling, entertainment

Areas to Avoid

• West Montgomery (high crime, poor schools)
• Downtown Montgomery at night (some sketchy areas)

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What's It Like to Live at Maxwell AFB?

Maxwell AFB is home to Air University—the intellectual and leadership center of the Air Force. If you're here, you're either a student (Air War College, Squadron Officer School, OTS), instructor, or support staff. The mission is education and professional development, NOT operational flying. Many officers are here for 1-year PME courses. The pace is academic—not fast-paced operational tempo. Minimal deployments—this is a stable, CONUS assignment.

Mission Reality:

• Air University (students/instructors): NO deployments—1-year PME courses, academic environment
• 42nd Air Base Wing (support): Minimal deployments, CONUS focus
• Officer Training School (OTS): Commissioning new officers, instructors stay CONUS
• Academic pace: Slower than operational bases, intellectual focus

Quality of Life:

• Affordable: BAH covers rent with $300-500 buffer, save $4,000-6,000/year
• School divide: Pike Road (8-9/10) or Prattville (7-8/10) vs Montgomery Public (4-6/10)
• Montgomery: State capital (200K people), Civil Rights history, decent amenities
• Hot/humid summers: 95-100°F + 80% humidity (May-September), AC runs constantly
• Minimal deployments: Stable, predictable assignment

The Good:

• NO deployments (or very minimal for support staff)
• Very affordable (pocket $300-500/month from BAH)
• Pike Road/Prattville schools are good (7-9/10)
• Stable assignment (1-year PME students, 3-year instructor tours)
• Low cost of living (save $4,000-6,000/year)
• Montgomery has Civil Rights history (Rosa Parks, MLK Jr.)

The Not-So-Good:

• Montgomery Public Schools are very weak (4-6/10)
• Hot/humid summers are brutal (95-100°F + 80% humidity)
• Limited entertainment (small city, 200K people)
• Academic pace can be boring (not operational flying)
• High crime in West Montgomery (avoid)
• 20-30 min commute to good schools (Pike Road, Prattville)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: -12% lower — Southern Alabama affordability
Housing: -15% lower — BAH covers rent with buffer
Groceries: -8% lower — Commissary saves 20-30%
Utilities: +10% higher — AC costs in summer

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in Prattville): $1,250
• Utilities (electric + AC): $190 (summer: $260-300)
• Groceries: $770
• Gas (commute + errands): $160
• Internet/Cable: $90
• Childcare (part-time): $340
• Car Insurance: $115
• Misc (restaurants, entertainment): $145

Total: ~$3,060/month (summer: ~$3,180 with higher AC)
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,500/month (covers housing + food, pocket $440-320 in summer)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH (~$1,700) covers Prattville rent ($1,250) with $450 left over. Live in Pike Road ($1,400, best schools) and pocket $300. Live in Millbrook ($1,200) and pocket $500.

Savings Potential: High—pocket $300-500/month depending on neighborhood. Low cost of living + cheap housing = save $4,000-6,000/year extra. Use this assignment to aggressively pay off debt, save for house down payment, or invest. Budget extra $800-1,000/year for summer AC.

Pro Tips:

• Prattville = sweet spot (pocket $450/month, 7-8/10 schools)
• Pike Road = best schools (8-9/10) but only pocket $300/month
• Millbrook = best savings (pocket $500/month, 7/10 schools)
• Commissary saves 20-30% vs off-base (Walmart, Target)
• Alabama has low taxes (save $1,000-1,500/year vs high-tax states)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Montgomery (200K people) has a moderate economy—government (state capital), healthcare, military (Maxwell), and retail. Civilian jobs are more plentiful than small military towns but not as strong as major metros. Remote work is growing—many spouses work remotely.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. On-Base Contractors: Booz Allen, PAE, SAIC (admin, IT - $44K-64K)
2. Government: Alabama state agencies (clerks, admin - $35K-48K)
3. Healthcare: Jackson Hospital, Baptist Health (RN $58K-72K, admin $34K-47K)
4. Retail: Walmart, Target (manager $32K-42K)
5. Education: Prattville/Pike Road schools (teachers start $40K)
6. Remote Work: Growing market ($50K-75K)

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $58,000-72,000
• On-base contractor (admin/IT): $44,000-64,000
• Government (state): $35,000-48,000
• Teaching (AL): $40,000-52,000
• Remote work (varies): $50,000-75,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Maxwell AFB has NAF jobs (CDC, fitness, MWR)
• Airman & Family Readiness has job assistance programs
• MyCAA grants available for education/certifications
• Montgomery job market is moderate (government, healthcare)

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 6-10 months (get on list at PCS orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $120-170/week per child (affordable)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $110-150/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $85-130/week

For Families:

• Schools: Pike Road (8-9/10) or Prattville (7-8/10) - prioritize this
• Activities: Montgomery Zoo, Civil Rights sites, Riverwalk Stadium
• Support: Stable spouse community (1-year students rotate, but instructors stay 3+ years)

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Common Questions About Maxwell AFB

Q: Is Maxwell AFB a good duty station? A: Yes, if you value NO deployments, affordable living, and stable assignment. Education mission means minimal deployments, pocket $300-500/month from BAH, Pike Road/Prattville schools are good (7-9/10). Trade-offs: Montgomery Public Schools are weak (4-6/10), hot/humid summers (95-100°F), academic pace can be boring (not operational). Good for families wanting stability.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base is better for most. On-base waitlists are 4-8 months, quality is 7/10, and kids bus to Montgomery Public Schools (5-6/10). Live in Prattville ($1,250, 7-8/10 schools) and pocket $450/month. Pike Road ($1,400, 8-9/10 schools) pocket $300. Millbrook ($1,200, 7/10 schools) pocket $500.

Q: What's the difference between Pike Road and Prattville? A: Pike Road has the best schools in the area (8-9/10, new district est. 2015) but costs $1,400 rent (pocket $300). Prattville has good schools (7-8/10, Autauga County) and costs $1,250 (pocket $450). Most families pick Pike Road for best schools. Choose Prattville for balance of schools + savings.

Q: Can I avoid deployments at Maxwell? A: YES. Maxwell is an education base—Air University students/instructors don't deploy. Support staff (42nd Air Base Wing) have minimal deployments (mostly CONUS TDYs). If you want a stable, non-deploying assignment, Maxwell is it. Trade-off: academic pace can be boring (not operational flying).

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Moderate. Montgomery (200K people) has government jobs (state capital), healthcare (Jackson Hospital, Baptist Health), and on-base contractors. On-base contractors pay $44K-64K. Healthcare RNs make $58K-72K. Teaching pays $40K-52K. Remote work is growing ($50K-75K). Not as strong as major metros but better than small towns.

Q: What's the Air University mission like? A: Education and professional military education (PME). Air War College (senior officers), Squadron Officer School (captains), Officer Training School (commissioning new officers). Academic environment—reading, writing, discussions. Not operational flying. 1-year PME courses common. Slower pace than operational bases. Good for intellectual growth, boring for action seekers.

Q: How bad are the summers? A: Hot and humid. 95-100°F with 80% humidity (May-September). AC runs constantly. Budget $260-300/month for summer AC (vs $150 winter). Similar to other Southern bases. Not as bad as Arizona dry heat or as cold as North Dakota, but oppressive humidity is tough.

Q: What's there to do in Montgomery? A: Montgomery is the state capital (200K people) with Civil Rights history (Rosa Parks Museum, Dexter Avenue Church), Alabama State Capitol, Montgomery Zoo, Riverwalk Stadium (AA baseball). Wind Creek Casino (20 min) for gambling. Birmingham (90 min) and Atlanta (2.5 hours) for weekend trips. Limited compared to major cities.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

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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.