Naval Station Mayport PCS Complete Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Local Intel

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Naval Station Mayport is the Navy's 3rd largest fleet concentration area with 13,000 military personnel and 14,000 civilians, serving as homeport for 20 ships and 2 aircraft squadrons.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Good fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR with modest buffer in most areas)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,650/month (moderate, competitive Jacksonville market)
• School Quality: Excellent options—St. Johns County (8-9/10) is top-tier, Duval County (5-7/10) variable
• Cost of Living: 5% below national average

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

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Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Naval Station Mayport
• Location: Jacksonville, FL (Duval County) / Atlantic Beach area
• Size: 3,409 acres
• Population: 13,000 military + 14,000 civilians
• Branch: Navy (Naval Air Force Atlantic)
• Major Units: Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40, 60, 70, 74; Destroyer Squadron 14; USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7)
• Climate: Humid subtropical - hot humid summers (85-95°F), mild winters (45-70°F)
• Nearest Major City: Jacksonville (adjacent), Orlando (2.5 hours south)

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 covers most rentals in good areas with modest buffer. Jacksonville Beaches push BAH limits but doable. St. Johns County (best schools) requires $100-300/month out-of-pocket. Duval County fits BAH better but school quality varies. Higher ranks have comfortable cushion.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

Top Tier - Best Value

1. St. Johns County (Ponte Vedra, Nocatee)

• Median Rent: $1,800/month (3BR house)
• Commute: 25-35 min to Mayport
• Schools: 8-9/10 (St. Johns County - best in Northeast Florida)
• Why It's Good: Top schools, safe, master-planned communities, beach proximity
• Watch Out For: Above BAH for E5 ($150-300/month out-of-pocket), longer commute

2. Atlantic Beach / Neptune Beach

• Median Rent: $1,700/month
• Commute: 10-15 min to Mayport
• Schools: 6-7/10 (Duval County Beaches schools - better than mainland)
• Why It's Good: Close to base, beach lifestyle, tight-knit community
• Watch Out For: Limited inventory, competitive market, pushes BAH limits

3. Jacksonville Beaches (South - near Wonderwood)

• Median Rent: $1,600/month
• Commute: 5-10 min to Mayport
• Schools: 6/10 (Duval County)
• Why It's Good: Closest to base, affordable, beach access
• Watch Out For: Older neighborhoods, school quality mixed

Affordable Options

Arlington / Southside Jacksonville (Duval County)

• Median Rent: $1,500/month
• Commute: 20-30 min to Mayport
• Schools: 5-7/10 (Duval County - highly variable)
• Why Know: Fits BAH comfortably, more housing inventory
• Reality: Research exact school assignments—quality varies wildly block to block

Avoid / Know What You're Getting Into

Downtown Jacksonville / Northside

• Why Avoid: High crime, poor schools (3-5/10), long commute
• Reality: Not worth any savings

On-Base Housing

Mayport Family Housing (managed by Hunt Military Communities)

• Availability: Short waitlist (3-5 months typical)
• Quality: Renovated 2-4 BR townhomes/houses, good condition
• Pros: Zero commute, no rent out-of-pocket, utilities included, beach access nearby
• Cons: Limited inventory, jet noise from NAS Jax (nearby), hurricane evacuation zone
• Wait List: E5-E6 typically 90-120 days
• Verdict: Excellent option for convenience and saving BAH for St. Johns County schools later

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Schools

Best School District:

St. Johns County School District (Top Choice)

• Rating: 8-9/10
• Standout Schools:
  • Ponte Vedra High School (9/10)
  • Nease High School (9/10)
  • Allen D. Nease High School (9/10)
• Why Good: Best-funded district in Florida, excellent academics, modern facilities, consistently top-ranked
• Reality: Worth $100-300/month out-of-pocket and 25-35 min commute for families with school-age kids
• Link: St. Johns County Schools

Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville)

• Rating: 5-7/10 (extremely variable by specific school)
• Standout Schools:
  • Beaches schools (Atlantic Beach Elementary, Mayport Elementary) are 6-7/10 - better than mainland
  • Stanton College Prep (magnet) is 9/10 but lottery admission
• Why Variable: Large urban district, quality varies dramatically by neighborhood
• Reality: Research exact address school assignments before signing lease

DoDEA Schools On Base:

No DoDEA schools at Mayport. You must use Duval or St. Johns County schools.

Pro Tip: Live in St. Johns County if you can afford $100-300/month out-of-pocket for 8-9/10 schools. Beaches area (Atlantic/Neptune Beach) acceptable (6-7/10) for shorter commute. Avoid mainland Duval schools unless you verify specific school is strong.

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

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Local Intel

Cost of Living

Overall: 5% lower — Affordable Florida
Housing: At average — Competitive but manageable
Groceries: At average — Commissary + Publix
Utilities: 20% higher — AC mandatory, hurricane insurance
Gas: At average — Florida fuel prices

Traffic & Commute

• Morning Rush: 7-9 AM moderate on Beach Blvd, Atlantic Blvd, J. Turner Butler Blvd
• Afternoon Rush: 4-6:30 PM moderate to heavy
• St. Johns County commute: 25-35 min normal, 45-60 min during rush hour
• Reality: Jacksonville traffic is manageable but growing. Beach Blvd is main artery—backs up during peak.

Weather Reality

• Summer: 85-95°F, very humid (90%+), daily afternoon thunderstorms
• Winter: 45-70°F, mild, pleasant
• Hurricane Season: June-November, Mayport is evacuation zone (coastal)
• Reality: AC mandatory May-October. Hurricane plan required. Best weather Nov-April.

Commissary & Shopping

• Commissary: On-base, well-stocked, busy weekends
• Publix: Multiple beach locations, beloved by locals
• Walmart/Target: Jacksonville locations
• St. Johns Town Center: Major outdoor mall (20 min from Mayport)

Things to Do

• Beaches: Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach (world-class)
• Water Sports: Surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing
• St. Augustine: 30 min north, historic city, oldest in US
• Golf: Year-round, TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Championship)
• Pro Sports: Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL), Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (baseball)
• Orlando: 2.5 hours, Disney World, Universal Studios
• Amelia Island: 45 min north, historic town, beautiful beaches

What to Avoid

• Don't: Live in downtown/northside Jacksonville (high crime, poor schools)
• Don't: Ignore hurricane prep—Mayport is coastal, evacuations happen
• Don't: Underestimate summer humidity (90%+ is oppressive)

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What's It Like to Live at Naval Station Mayport?

Naval Station Mayport is a beach paradise homeport with excellent quality of life shaped by Florida coastal culture, Jacksonville growth, and fleet operations.

Deployment Tempo:

• Surface ships: High—regular 6-9 month deployments plus workups
• Helicopter squadrons: Moderate—deployments with embarked ships
• Shore staff: Low—stay CONUS for base operations
• Reality: Deployment tempo high for sea duty, moderate for aviation, low for shore. Plan accordingly.

Quality of Life Assessment: 8/10

Pros:

• World-class beaches 10-30 minutes away
• Excellent schools available (St. Johns County)
• Year-round outdoor activities (beach, golf, water sports)
• Strong military community (large Navy presence)
• No state income tax (Florida)

Cons:

• Deployment tempo high for sea duty
• Housing costs moderate (BAH tight in good school areas)
• Hurricane evacuations required (coastal location)
• Summer heat and humidity brutal

The Verdict: Mayport is a top-tier assignment for families who love beaches, outdoor lifestyle, and can handle deployments. It's not ideal if you hate heat/humidity, need guaranteed top schools without paying extra, or want mountain recreation.

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base): $1,650
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $240
• Groceries: $750
• Gas/Transportation: $280
• Childcare (1 child, if needed): $850
• Internet/Phone: $160
• Misc/Entertainment: $350
• Total: $4,280

BAH vs. Reality:

BAH Coverage: Good for most areas—BAH covers rent in Beaches and mainland Duval with modest buffer. St. Johns County requires $100-300/month out-of-pocket for E5. Senior enlisted and officers have comfortable cushion.

State Tax Reality:

Florida: No state income tax! This alone saves E5 with family ~$1,500-2,500/year. Factor this into housing budget.

Savings Potential:

Moderate. BAH covers housing but beach lifestyle (boats, fishing, beach activities) and summer AC bills can drain budgets. Disciplined families can save $200-400/month.

Money-Saving Tips:

1. Live in mainland Duval: Save $150-300/month vs Beaches/St. Johns but research schools carefully
2. Shop Publix BOGO: Buy-one-get-one deals legendary, stock up
3. Use no state income tax: Adjust W-4, pocket savings monthly
4. Fish from piers/beach: Free vs charter boats ($100+)
5. Time AC usage: Set to 78-80°F, use ceiling fans, save $50-100/month summer

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality:

Jacksonville has a strong, diverse job market—one of the better markets for military spouses.

Realistic Expectations:

• Large metro = abundant opportunities (healthcare, finance, logistics, education)
• Remote work excellent option (good infrastructure)
• Military-friendly employers (USAA, Navy Federal, Baptist Health)

Top Spouse Employers:

1. Mayport Civilian Jobs: Admin, medical, logistics ($18-34/hr)
2. Baptist Health / Mayo Clinic: Nurses, medical admin, healthcare ($20-38/hr)
3. Financial Services (USAA, Navy Federal, Fidelity): Professional positions ($22-40/hr)
4. Duval County / St. Johns County Schools: Teachers, paraprofessionals, admin ($17-28/hr)
5. Remote Work: Excellent option for professionals (tech, marketing, finance)

Military Spouse Preference:

Mayport has active MSP hiring. Competition is moderate—apply consistently on USAJobs.

Childcare Reality:

• CDC Waitlist: 4-8 months typical, get on list early
• CDC Cost: $170-280/week based on rank
• Off-Base Daycare: $750-950/month, abundant options
• Family Childcare (FCC): Home providers on base, shorter waitlist

Family Activities & Support:

• Fleet & Family Support Center: Employment assistance, deployment support
• Mayport USO: Active programs, family events
• Youth Programs: Base sports, beach activities, summer camps
• MWR: Beach access, outdoor recreation, bowling, golf

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Common Questions About Naval Station Mayport

Q: Are the beaches really that good?
A: Yes. Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach are excellent. Warm water May-October, beautiful sand. St. Augustine beaches 30 min north are even better.

Q: Will BAH cover housing in good school zones?
A: Tight. St. Johns County (best schools 8-9/10) requires $100-300/month out-of-pocket for E5. Beaches area fits BAH but schools are 6-7/10. Mainland Duval fits BAH but variable schools (5-7/10).

Q: How often do sailors deploy from Mayport?
A: Frequently if sea duty. Ships deploy 6-9 months regularly plus workups. Aviation deploys with embarked ships. Shore duty stays CONUS.

Q: How bad are hurricanes?
A: Real risk. Mayport is coastal evacuation zone. You'll evacuate 1-2 times per tour for major storms. Inconvenient but necessary. Have a plan.

Q: Is Mayport family-friendly?
A: Very. Strong Navy community, excellent beaches, good schools available (St. Johns), tons of family activities. One of the best Navy family assignments.

Q: What's the commute like?
A: 10-35 min depending on where you live. Beaches area 10-15 min. St. Johns County 25-35 min (45-60 min rush hour). Manageable.

Q: Can spouses find jobs?
A: Yes. Jacksonville is large metro with diverse job market. Healthcare, financial services, education, remote work all viable. Better than most bases.

Q: What's there to do?
A: Beach paradise. Surfing, fishing, boating, golf year-round. St. Augustine 30 min, Orlando 2.5 hours. Outdoor recreation heavy.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

Base Navigator (Premium)
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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.