Joint Base Andrews PCS Guide (2026)

2026 BAH Rates at Joint Base Andrews

JBA falls under the Washington, D.C. Military Housing Area (MHA), one of the most expensive in the country. The good news: 2026 BAH rates increased 8% from 2025, making this one of the larger annual jumps. JBA’s BAH is ranked 4th highest out of all Air Force installations nationwide.

2026 JBA BAH Rates — Enlisted

2026 JBA BAH Rates — Officers

Source: Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), rates effective January 1, 2026. Use the DoD BAH Calculator to confirm your exact rate by ZIP code.

For a deeper breakdown of how BAH works and how to use it toward a home purchase, check out the 2026 BAH Rates Guide and 2026 Military Pay Charts.

Ready to start planning your move to JBA? Start Your Free PCS Plan →

Housing at Joint Base Andrews

On-Base Housing: Liberty Park at Andrews

On-base family housing is privatized and managed by Liberty Park at Andrews (formerly AMC East Communities). There are 13 neighborhoods on the installation offering 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom townhomes and single-family homes.

Contact: (866) 944-7504 | libertyparkatandrews.com

Community amenities include 13 playgrounds, 3 tennis courts, a dog park, outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, and a clubhouse. Homes typically include washer/dryer hookups, fenced yards, and garages depending on unit type.

Real talk on wait times: Waitlists at JBA are real and extend weeks to months depending on your rank and home size, particularly during peak PCS season (May–August). Don’t count on moving straight on base. Visit the Military Housing Office (MHO) immediately upon arrival; you must receive counseling before signing any lease. You can also get on the waitlist through the Housing Early Assistance Tool (HEAT) before you even arrive.

MHO contact: 301-736-8082

Off-Base Neighborhoods: What Families Actually Choose

The D.C. metro area is large and expensive, but military families have found pockets that balance commute time, home size, and cost. Here’s an honest look at the most popular options:

Important: The D.C. metro area has notorious traffic. A 15-mile commute can take 45 minutes during rush hour on I-495 or the Suitland Parkway. Ask your Andrews PCS Pay-It-Forward® community about commute timing before locking in a neighborhood.

Median home price near base: Approximately $397,000–$400,000. Condos and townhomes closer to the base start around $200,000. The cost of living in the D.C. metro is roughly 108% above the national average.

Buying With a VA Home Loan Near JBA

Despite the high prices, many military families do buy here, and the VA Home Loan makes it possible with zero down payment and no PMI. At current BAH levels, an E-6 or O-3 with dependents can often cover most or all of a mortgage payment with their monthly BAH. Talk to a VA-savvy lender before you arrive so you’re ready to move fast in this competitive market.

Thinking about buying near JBA? Your VA benefit is worth more than you think. Download the Free VA Home Loan Guide →

Schools at Joint Base Andrews (2026)

There are no DoDEA schools at JBA or anywhere in the National Capital Region. All children attend Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) or the on-base charter school.

⚠️ Critical: Maryland is NOT a school-of-choice state. Your child’s school is determined by your home address. Find your school assignment FIRST, then choose your neighborhood, not the other way around. Contact the School Liaison at 301-981-0057 for help before you sign a lease.

Primary Feeder Schools for On-Base Families

Imagine Andrews is located on the installation and designed specifically for military children, 65% of seats are reserved for families assigned to and living on JBA. Admission is by lottery. Parents are responsible for transportation. This is a strong option for K–8 families, but apply early.

PGCPS is the nation’s 18th largest school district with projected enrollment of 133,000+. The district offers Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Dual Enrollment, and Career Technical Education programs at the high school level.

More school resources: MilitaryOneSource Education Programs for JBA | PGCPS District Website

Childcare at Joint Base Andrews

JBA has three Child Development Centers (CDCs) on base. This is one of the most important things to act on earl, infant and toddler slots fill fast.

Real talk: Infant care (under 12 months) waitlists at JBA can run 6–12 months for Category 1 parents (single parents and dual-military). Three-to-five-year-olds must be potty trained. Fees are income-based, ranging from approximately $39–$140/month.

CDC Contact: 301-981-9981 | DSN: 312-858-9981

A Family Child Care (FCC) Program provides an alternative to center-based care through in-home providers on base, this is often a faster path for infant care. Call the CDC number above for a referral list.

Medical at Joint Base Andrews

Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center is the installation’s main medical facility, located on base. It provides primary care, specialty care, and pharmacy services for active-duty members and their families.

TRICARE: Most families in the National Capital Region are enrolled in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select. The NCR TRICARE region includes MTFs at JBA, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda), and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. For TRICARE enrollment and referrals: tricare.mil or call 1-844-866-9378.

Getting to JBA: Gates and Access

JBA has multiple gates. The most commonly used for on-base residents and in-processing are:

• North Gate — Main gate access on Auth Rd; primary commuter route
• Virginia Gate (South Gate) — Access from Virginia side; popular for families living in Waldorf or Southern MD
• East/Commercial Gate — Used for deliveries and commercial access

Real talk: Traffic near the North Gate during morning rush can back up significantly on Auth Rd. Families living in Clinton or near the Virginia Gate often report smoother commutes. Ask your unit about gate access hours before your first day.

Base Operator: 301-981-1110 | DSN: 312-858-1110

Temporary Lodging at JBA

The Presidential Inn at JBA offers on-base temporary lodging for PCS families with standard and suite accommodations. Rooms include free Wi-Fi, cable, microwaves, and refrigerators.

Book early. TLFs at JBA are in high demand during PCS season (May–August). Stays are typically up to 30 days for PCS moves. Pet-friendly rooms are limited, request one at booking. If on-base lodging is full, several hotels near the gate offer military rates.

To book TLF: Contact lodging through the JBA FSS website or call the base operator at 301-981-1110.

Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC)

The JBA Military & Family Readiness Center is your first stop for everything from relocation assistance to spouse employment support, financial counseling, and deployment resources. The Relocation Assistance Program is specifically designed to make your inbound PCS smoother.

Location: 1191 Menoher Drive, Joint Base Andrews Website: andrewsfss.com/mfrc Appointments: Book online at jba-mfrc.timetap.com

Services include transition assistance, spouse career support, voter registration, financial readiness counseling, and Survivor Benefit Plan guidance.

Living Near Washington, D.C.: The Real Perks

One of the biggest upsides of JBA is everything around it. Here’s what military families love most:

Day trips and weekends: National Mall and Smithsonian Museums (free), National Harbor (15 min, waterfront dining and events), Old Town Alexandria (30 min, walkable and historic), Annapolis (32 miles , gorgeous waterfront, Naval Academy), Richmond, VA (2 hrs, great food and breweries).

Things people don’t expect: The cherry blossoms in spring (and the crowds that come with them), summer outdoor concerts at The Wharf, free outdoor ice skating at the National Gallery in winter, and Mount Vernon for a genuinely great family day without the Smithsonian crowds.

Real talk about the D.C. area: Traffic is real. I-495/I-95 is a serious commute if you live in Virginia or drive into D.C. Plan your neighborhood around your commute route before you commit. Most families adjust within a few months, but go in with eyes open.

Your JBA Community: Connect Before You Arrive

The Andrews AFB PCS Pay-It-Forward® Facebook group is your best resource for unfiltered real talk, which neighborhoods are best for families with young kids, which areas to avoid, current housing availability, and who’s selling furniture before they PCS out. Join before your orders are even cut.

Need a broader set of tools for your move? The PCS Toolkit has checklists, timelines, and resources for every phase of the move. If you’re doing a DITY (PPM) move, read the DITY Move Guide before you start. And don’t forget, your PCS move comes with some solid tax write-offs.

Don’t navigate this alone. Let us help you build your JBA PCS plan. Start Your Free PCS Plan → | Find Other Base Guides →

Frequently Asked Questions: PCSing to Joint Base Andrews

Q: What are the 2026 BAH rates at Joint Base Andrews? A: JBA falls under the Washington, D.C. MHA. For 2026, rates increased 8% from 2025. An E-5 with dependents receives $3,132/month; an O-3 with dependents receives $4,020/month. JBA’s BAH is ranked 4th highest among all Air Force installations. Use the DoD BAH Calculator at travel.dod.mil to confirm your exact rate.

Q: Who manages on-base housing at JBA? A: On-base family housing is privatized and managed by Liberty Park at Andrews. Contact them at (866) 944-7504 or visit libertyparkatandrews.com. You must also check in with the Military Housing Office (MHO) at 301-736-8082 before signing any lease.

Q: How long is the on-base housing waitlist at JBA? A: Waitlists vary by rank and unit type but can run from a few weeks to several months, especially during peak PCS season. Plan for off-base housing initially and use the Housing Early Assistance Tool (HEAT) to get on the waitlist before you arrive.

Q: What schools will my kids attend at Joint Base Andrews? A: There are no DoDEA schools at JBA. On-base families are zoned to Francis T. Evans Elementary, Stephen Decatur Middle School, and Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, all part of Prince George’s County Public Schools. Imagine Andrews Public Charter School (K–8) is located on base with lottery-based admission, 65% reserved for military families.

Q: Is Maryland a school-of-choice state? A: No. Maryland assigns schools based on your home address. Contact the JBA School Liaison at 301-981-0057 before you choose a neighborhood, pick your school first, then find housing in that school’s zone.

Q: How long is the CDC childcare waitlist at JBA? A: Infant care (under 12 months) waitlists can be 6–12 months for Category 1 families (single parents, dual military). Get on the list as soon as your orders are cut. The Family Child Care (FCC) program on base may have faster availability. Call 301-981-9981.

Q: What are the best neighborhoods to live in near JBA? A: Clinton (closest, ~10 min) is the most popular for families living near the Virginia Gate. Waldorf offers more space and newer homes (~25 min). Suitland and Capitol Heights provide Metro access. Families with higher budgets often choose Fairwood or Brock Hall for newer construction. Ask your Andrews PCS Pay-It-Forward® community for current neighborhood feedback.

Q: Can I use my VA Home Loan to buy near Joint Base Andrews? A: Absolutely. Many military families buy in this market using their VA Home Loan, no down payment required, no PMI. With JBA BAH among the highest in the Air Force, your monthly BAH can often cover most or all of a mortgage payment. Start at pcspayitforward.com/va-home-loan.

Q: What medical facilities are available at JBA? A: Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center is the on-base MTF providing primary and specialty care. The NCR TRICARE region also includes Walter Reed NMMC (Bethesda) and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. Enroll at tricare.mil or call 1-844-866-9378.

Q: What temporary lodging options are there for PCS arrivals? A: The Presidential Inn on base is the primary TLF option. Book as early as possible, it fills fast during PCS season. Stays up to 30 days are typical for PCS moves. If on-base lodging is unavailable, several hotels near the base gates offer military rates.

Key Takeaways

• JBA’s 2026 BAH increased 8% from 2025 and is ranked 4th highest among all Air Force bases, use it toward a home purchase if you plan to stay 2+ years.
• On-base housing through Liberty Park at Andrews has a real waitlist, plan for off-base housing initially and get on the HEAT list before you arrive.
• Maryland is not a school-of-choice state. Find your school zone first, then choose your neighborhood, this is the most important thing most JBA families wish they’d known.
• Childcare waitlists are serious: start the CDC application process the day you get orders.
• Traffic in the D.C. metro is real, your commute route matters more than your square footage.
• Your VA Home Loan can work in this market, even at D.C. prices. Get pre-approved before you arrive.
• Connect with the Andrews AFB PCS Pay-It-Forward® group immediately, the community Intel is better than any guide.
• Use the PCS Toolkit and PCS Binder & Checklist to stay organized through every phase of your move.

Information current as of 2026. BAH rates sourced from DTMO. School information sourced from andrewsfss.com/slo and Prince George’s County Public Schools. Always verify contact information with official installation sources before your move.