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

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Naval Station Norfolk is the world's largest naval base with 75,000 military personnel (homeport to Atlantic Fleet).

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Comfortable fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house with buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,950/month (manageable)
• School Quality: Virginia Beach and Chesapeake (7-8/10) beat Norfolk city schools (5-6/10)

What This Guide Covers: Housing neighborhoods with real prices, school ratings by name, and Hampton Roads area intel.

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Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Naval Station Norfolk
• Location: Norfolk, VA (Hampton Roads region)
• Size: 4,300 acres (world's largest naval station)
• Population: 75,000 military + family members (includes all Hampton Roads commands)
• Branch: Navy (Atlantic Fleet HQ, homeport to 75 ships)
• Major Units: U.S. Fleet Forces Command, carriers (Eisenhower, Truman, Washington, Bush), destroyers, submarines
• Climate: Humid subtropical - hot summers (80-90°F), mild winters (35-50°F)
• Nearest Major City: Virginia Beach (adjacent)

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 →

Key Insight: BAH covers rent in most neighborhoods. Virginia Beach and Chesapeake both fit within BAH with better schools than Norfolk. Avoid Norfolk city schools (5-6/10) if possible. Traffic is brutal—live close to your command if possible.

Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

Top Tier - Best Value

1. Chesapeake (Greenbrier area)

• Median Rent: $2,000/month (3BR house)
• Commute: 20-25 min to NS Norfolk (via I-64)
• Schools: 7-8/10 (Chesapeake Public Schools)
• Why It's Good: Best schools, safe, affordable, family-friendly, good shopping
• Watch Out For: Traffic on I-64 during rush hour

2. Virginia Beach (North - Town Center area)

• Median Rent: $2,100/month
• Commute: 15-20 min to NS Norfolk
• Schools: 7-8/10 (Virginia Beach City Schools)
• Why It's Good: Good schools, urban amenities, safe, beach access
• Watch Out For: More expensive, traffic on Virginia Beach Blvd

3. Virginia Beach (Oceana area)

• Median Rent: $1,900/month
• Commute: 25 min to NS Norfolk, 5 min to NAS Oceana
• Schools: 7/10 (Virginia Beach schools)
• Why It's Good: Close to Oceana, beach access, good schools, military community
• Watch Out For: Jet noise from NAS Oceana (F/A-18s constantly)

Avoid / Know What You're Getting Into

Norfolk City (most areas)

• Why: Poor schools (5-6/10), higher crime, older housing
• Exception: Ghent neighborhood is gentrifying and walkable, but pricey and still Norfolk schools

Portsmouth

• Why: High crime, poor schools (4-5/10), declining area
• Exception: None. Just avoid.

On-Base Housing

• Wait Time: 90-180 days (long wait, high demand)
• Quality: 6-7/10 - Mixed quality, some renovated, some aging
• Communities: Pinewood, Evergreen, Admirals Row
• Recommendation: Good for zero commute if you work on NS Norfolk proper. Quality varies—inspect first. Wait times are LONG.

Apply for on-base housing: Lincoln Military Housing (757) 443-9501

Schools That Don't Suck

Top Elementary Schools

• Greenbrier Primary (Chesapeake) - 8/10 - Greenbrier
• Red Mill Elementary (Virginia Beach) - 8/10 - Virginia Beach
• Plaza Elementary (Virginia Beach) - 8/10 - Town Center area

Top Middle Schools

• Great Bridge Middle (Chesapeake) - 8/10 - Chesapeake
• Independence Middle (Virginia Beach) - 8/10 - Virginia Beach
• Bayside Middle (Virginia Beach) - 8/10 - North VB

Top High Schools

• Kellam High (Virginia Beach) - 8/10 - Virginia Beach
• Ocean Lakes High (Virginia Beach) - 7/10 - Virginia Beach
• Great Bridge High (Chesapeake) - 8/10 - Chesapeake

Schools to Avoid

• Most Norfolk Public Schools - 5-6/10 - Struggling district
• Most Portsmouth schools - 4-5/10 - Avoid

School District Info: Virginia Beach City Schools (best - 7-8/10), Chesapeake Public Schools (good - 7-8/10), Norfolk Public Schools (avoid - 5-6/10). Register early. Virginia Beach Schools

For live school ratings and neighborhood analysis: Base Navigator →

Local Intel (What You Actually Need to Know)

Cost of Living

• vs. National Average: 8% higher (Hampton Roads premium)
• Groceries: Commissary is solid and essential. Off-base is 20-25% more.
• Gas: $3.20-3.60/gal
• State Taxes: Virginia does NOT tax military pay. You're welcome.

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: I-64, I-264, Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) are parking lots 7-9am and 4-7pm
• Best Gates: Gate 2 (main), Gate 5 (backgate, less crowded)
• Pro Tip: NEVER use HRBT during rush hour. Add 60+ min. Plan housing based on your command location—crossing water is brutal.

Commissary & BX/PX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings (9-11am)
• Worst Times: Saturday, payday weekends, before/after deployment cycles
• Off-Base Alternative: Costco (essential), Harris Teeter, Kroger

Things You Should Know

• Traffic is HELL: Hampton Roads has worst traffic in VA. If you work NS Norfolk, live Virginia Beach/Chesapeake side. If you work Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, live Portsmouth/Suffolk side. Don't cross water daily.
• Deployment Tempo: This is Atlantic Fleet. Deployments are constant. Expect 6-9 month deployments.
• Hurricanes: Hurricane season (June-November). Have evacuation plan. You'll get evacuation orders—follow them.
• Beach Access: You're near some of the best beaches on East Coast. Use them year-round.
• The Tunnels: HRBT (Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel) and MMMBT (Monitor-Merrimac) are your enemy. Avoid during rush hour at all costs.

Hidden Gems

• Chic's Beach - Virginia Beach, locals-only vibe, great seafood
• First Landing State Park - Virginia Beach, beautiful trails and beach
• Colonial Williamsburg - 45 min, living history museum (touristy but cool)
• Outer Banks NC - 90 min south, pristine beaches, weekend getaway

Areas to Avoid After Dark

• Portsmouth (most areas) - High crime, avoid
• Norfolk (downtown/waterfront exception) - Most of Norfolk city, avoid
• Hampton (certain areas) - Higher crime

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

Real Talk: Norfolk NS is the world's largest naval base, home to the Atlantic Fleet. This is a high-optempo Navy town—if you're on a carrier or destroyer, expect 6-9 month deployments. Hampton Roads is 100% military culture with Virginia Beach 20 min away.

Deployment Tempo:

• Atlantic Fleet (Carriers/Destroyers): Very High—6-9 month deployments every 18-24 months
• Aviation/Subs: High—frequent det deployments, workup cycles
• Shore Duty: Low—but you're supporting deploying units

Quality of Life:

• Tight But Doable: BAH barely covers rent, no buffer
• Navy Town: Hampton Roads revolves around the military—huge community
• Beach Access: Virginia Beach 20 min away, oceanfront lifestyle
• Humid AF: 85-95°F + 80% humidity summers, hurricanes Aug-Oct

The Good:

• Virginia Beach is 20 min—boardwalk, beaches, nightlife
• Massive Navy community—you'll find your people
• Portsmouth Naval Medical Center is excellent
• History everywhere (Jamestown, Williamsburg, DC 3 hours)

The Not-So-Good:

• BAH maxed out—rent eats every penny, no pocket money
• High deployment tempo = family separations constantly
• Humid summers are brutal, hurricane season is real
• Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel traffic is legendary awful

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: +8% higher — More expensive than most of US
Housing: +12% higher — BAH maxed out, zero buffer
Groceries: +5% higher — Shop commissary to survive
Utilities: +8% higher — AC runs 6+ months, electric $200-300 summer
Transportation: +6% higher — Gas, insurance, tolls add up
Healthcare: N/A — Tricare/Portsmouth Naval Medical

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

• Rent: $2,050 (3BR townhouse in Chesapeake/Hampton)
• Utilities: $200-300 (AC runs May-Oct, humid climate)
• Groceries: $850 (family of 4, commissary is mandatory)
• Gas: $200 (two cars, bridge tunnel commutes add up)
• Childcare: $800-1,200 (if needed—CDC waitlist 12-15 months)
• Entertainment: $300-400 (Virginia Beach, local activities)
• Total: $4,400-5,150/month

BAH vs. Reality (E5 with dependents):

• BAH Coverage: Comfortable—covers rent with buffer
• Savings Potential: Modest—can pocket some cash
• Median Rent: $2,050/month
• Buffer: $80/month (basically none—you're maxed out)

State Taxes:

• Virginia: 5.75% state income tax
• Military pay is NOT exempt (you pay VA tax)
• No local income taxes

Pro Tips to Save Money:

• Shop commissary for EVERYTHING (20-30% savings critical)
• Live in Chesapeake instead of Virginia Beach (save $200-300/month)
• Use base facilities (pools, beaches, gyms) instead of off-base
• Virginia Beach tolls add up—factor into budget
• Hurricane prep costs are real (have emergency fund)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Hampton Roads has a strong military + healthcare + shipbuilding economy. Sentara Healthcare is massive here. Many spouses work on-base or in healthcare. Remote work is growing but Norfolk traffic makes commuting brutal.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. Healthcare: Sentara Healthcare, Portsmouth Naval Medical (civilian positions, RNs start $70K+)
2. On-Base Contractors: HII (Huntington Ingalls), BAE Systems, Raytheon (shipyard/defense)
3. Retail/Service: Wegmans, Target, Town Center shops (flexible hours)
4. Education: Norfolk Public, Virginia Beach City Schools (teachers start $50K)
5. Remote Work: Viable—many spouses work remote to avoid bridge tunnel commute

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $70,000-85,000
• On-base contractor (admin): $40,000-55,000
• Shipyard/defense (admin): $45,000-60,000
• Teaching (VA): $50,000-65,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Norfolk NS has huge NAF workforce (CDC, MWR, fitness)
• Fleet and Family Support Center job assistance
• MyCAA grants available
• Navy spouse networking groups very active

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 12-15 months (get on list immediately at orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $200-350/week per child
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $180-280/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $100-200/week

For Families:

• Schools: Live in Chesapeake or Suffolk for better schools (7-8/10)
• Activities: Virginia Beach, Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, DC trips
• Support: Massive Navy spouse community—ombudsmen very active during deployments

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Common Questions About Norfolk Naval Station

Q: Is Norfolk Naval Station a good duty station? A: If you can handle deployment tempo and want to be part of the Atlantic Fleet, yes. Virginia Beach is great. But BAH is maxed out and you'll deploy constantly if you're on a ship.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base in Chesapeake or Suffolk. On-base housing is 6/10 quality with long waitlists. Off-base gets you better schools but BAH is tight—no pocket money.

Q: How bad is the traffic really? A: Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel is legendary. Allow 30-45 extra minutes during rush hour. Leave early or you'll be late to work. It's that bad.

Q: Can I avoid deployments at Norfolk Naval Station? A: Not if you're on a carrier or destroyer. Atlantic Fleet deploys regularly—6-9 months every 18-24 months. Shore duty has fewer deployments but longer hours supporting the fleet.

Q: What's the best neighborhood for families? A: Chesapeake (Greenbrier area, good schools 7-8/10) or Suffolk (cheaper, decent schools). Avoid Portsmouth and Norfolk downtown.

Q: Weather? A: Humid. 85-95°F + 80% humidity May-September. You'll sweat just walking to your car. AC runs constantly. Hurricane season Aug-Oct is real—have supplies ready.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Yes—Sentara Healthcare is huge ($70K+ for RNs), shipyard/defense contractors hire, remote work is viable. Traffic makes commuting rough though.

Q: What's there to do? A: Virginia Beach boardwalk, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg, DC 3 hours, Outer Banks 2 hours. Beach lifestyle is real. Navy MWR facilities are excellent.

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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: 2025-11-10. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.