There are two Marine Corps bases in South Carolina, and both sit in the Lowcountry around Beaufort. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort is a fighter jet base, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island is where East Coast recruits become Marines. Because they are only a few miles apart, they share one housing market and one BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) rate. This guide covers what each base does, what to expect if you are coming for a graduation, and what 2026 housing pay looks like.
For every base in the state, including Joint Base Charleston, Fort Jackson and Shaw AFB, start with our hub guide, What Military Bases Are in South Carolina?
Marine Corps Bases in South Carolina, at a Glance
| Installation | Nearest town | Best known for |
|---|---|---|
| MCAS Beaufort | Beaufort | F-35B squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 31 |
| MCRD Parris Island | Port Royal and Beaufort | Recruit training for the Eastern Recruiting Region |
| Laurel Bay | Beaufort | Military family housing and on-base schools |
| Townsend Bombing Range | Townsend, Georgia | Air-to-ground training range run by MCAS Beaufort |
South Carolina's Marine Corps installations at a glance. Sources: MCAS Beaufort; MCRD Parris Island; Naval Aviation News; II MEF.
MCAS Beaufort
MCAS Beaufort is home to Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31), part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The air station is in the middle of a big change, from the older F/A-18 Hornet to the F-35B Lightning II. The F-35B is a stealth jet that can take off from short runways and land straight down like a helicopter.
Here is how that switch has gone so far:
- Squadron VMFA-533 got its first F-35B on October 11, 2024. That made it the first operational F-35 squadron at Beaufort, per a 2025 Naval Aviation News report. Before that, Beaufort's F-35s belonged to a training squadron that teaches new F-35B pilots.
- Squadron VMFA(AW)-224 flew its last F/A-18 flight on April 28, 2025, as it moves to the F-35B, per a DVIDS photo release of the final Hornet flight.
- All Hornet flying at Beaufort is set to end by August 1, 2028, per a May 2026 Military Times report.
If you work in Hornet maintenance, ask your monitor early about retraining, since those jobs are being phased out.
MCAS Beaufort also runs the Townsend Bombing Range in Townsend, Georgia, about 82 miles southwest of the air station. The range grew from 5,183 acres to 33,834 acres in a project finished in 2020, per a II MEF report on the range expansion.
Housing at Laurel Bay. MCAS Beaufort's family housing is in the Laurel Bay neighborhood of Beaufort. The MCAS Beaufort Laurel Bay housing page lists the Military Housing Office contact details. Laurel Bay also has Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools for grades 1 through 8, per the Naval Hospital Beaufort welcome page.
For neighborhoods, commutes and schools, read our MCAS Beaufort 2026 PCS guide.
Trying to choose between Beaufort, Port Royal, Lady's Island and Bluffton? Talk with a South Carolina agent who works with military families. There is no cost and no obligation.
MCRD Parris Island
Parris Island is where the Marine Corps trains recruits from the Eastern Recruiting Region. About 20,000 recruits come each year for 13 weeks of training that ends with the Crucible, a final multi-day field test, per the MCRD Parris Island recruit training page.
Many Marines who PCS here serve as drill instructors, instructors or support staff. Training days start early, so a short commute to the depot gate is worth weighing when you pick a home.
Coming for graduation. If your family is visiting for a graduation instead of moving, here is the usual schedule, per the Parris Island graduation page and the Parris Island FAQ page:
- Wednesday: optional briefs and tours from the Douglas Visitors Center.
- Thursday (Family Day): the Motivational Run at 7:00 a.m., a ceremony at 9:30 a.m., and on-base liberty with your new Marine from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Friday: Morning Colors at 7:45 a.m. and graduation at 9:00 a.m.
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Bring a REAL ID-compliant photo ID or the approved alternative identity documents listed in the Parris Island visitor guidance, plus your vehicle registration and proof of insurance. A non-REAL-ID state license alone is not enough; confirm any extra access steps with the depot before you travel. If you drive a rental car, bring the rental agreement. Firearms and pets are not allowed, except service animals. Check the FAQ page before you travel, since rules can change.
For the full depot guide, read our MCRD Parris Island 2026 PCS guide.
Naval Hospital Beaufort
Naval Hospital Beaufort sits on a 127-acre campus in Port Royal, between the two bases, per the Naval Hospital Beaufort welcome page. The nearest major airports are Savannah/Hilton Head, about 45 miles away, and Charleston, about 74 miles away. The VA also plans a new outpatient clinic in Port Royal, with opening expected in 2028, per a January 2026 Stars and Stripes report.
What BAH Covers Near Beaufort and Parris Island
BAH is a monthly, tax-free payment to help cover housing off base. It depends on your pay grade, your duty ZIP code and whether you have dependents. Both bases fall in the same rate area, SC258. Here are 2026 rates from the DTMO BAH rate lookup.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,403 | $2,103 | $300 |
| E-7 | $2,835 | $2,319 | $516 |
| O-3 | $2,856 | $2,661 | $195 |
2026 monthly BAH in the Beaufort and Parris Island rate area (SC258). Source: Defense Travel Management Office BAH rate lookup.
A few things stand out:
- Beaufort's rates run well above those near North Carolina's Marine bases. An E-5 with dependents gets $2,403 here, compared with $1,584 at Camp Lejeune, per our guide to Marine Corps bases in North Carolina.
- An E-7 with dependents gets $516 more a month than an E-7 without dependents.
- Higher BAH reflects higher local rents, especially toward Bluffton and Hilton Head.
To turn your rate into a price range, read how much house you can afford on BAH.
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We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.Buying a Home in the Beaufort Area
Use your VA loan. A VA loan is a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Per the VA's purchase loan page, you can buy with no down payment as long as the price is not higher than the home's appraised value, and you do not pay private mortgage insurance. New to the process? Start with our complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan.
Know the South Carolina tax rules. South Carolina lets you deduct all military retirement income starting with tax year 2022, and Guard and Reserve drill pay is exempt, per the South Carolina Department of Revenue income tax FAQ. Bills to exempt active-duty pay for South Carolina residents have been filed but, as of this writing, had not become law, so check with SCDOR or a tax pro. Veterans who are totally and permanently disabled from a service-connected disability can get a property tax exemption on their home and up to 5 acres, per the SCDOR exempt property page. See our guide to South Carolina veteran property tax exemptions.
Plan for water. Beaufort County is low, coastal and in the path of hurricanes. Check a home's flood zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and get a flood insurance quote before you make an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Marine Corps bases are in South Carolina?
Two: MCAS Beaufort and MCRD Parris Island. Both are in Beaufort County, and the Marines also run Laurel Bay family housing and the Townsend Bombing Range in Georgia.
What aircraft fly at MCAS Beaufort?
MCAS Beaufort is moving to the F-35B Lightning II. A few F/A-18 Hornet squadrons remain, and all Hornet flying there is set to end by August 2028.
How long is boot camp at Parris Island?
Recruit training at Parris Island lasts 13 weeks and ends with the Crucible, followed by Family Day and graduation.
Do MCAS Beaufort and Parris Island have the same BAH?
Yes. Both bases are in the SC258 rate area. In 2026, an E-5 with dependents gets $2,403 a month.
Know a Marine with Beaufort or Parris Island orders? Share this guide with your military network.
This content is for informational purposes. Consult a professional for personal financial decisions.
