If you have orders for a PCS to Joint Base Andrews, welcome to Maryland. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for relocating from one duty station to another. Joint Base Andrews sits in Prince George's County, just outside Washington, D.C., and it is one of the most visible military installations in the country. This 2026 guide covers where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, the local climate, and a few things to do once you get settled.
What and Where Is Joint Base Andrews?
Joint Base Andrews (JBA) is a U.S. Air Force installation in Prince George's County, Maryland, about 10 miles southeast of downtown Washington, D.C. The 316th Wing is the host wing for the installation. According to the JBA website, the 316th Wing's mission is to "Respond, Honor, Defend, Support and Care...to project airpower and diplomacy from America's Airfield." It provides security, personnel, contracting, finance, and infrastructure support for the installation and its many tenant organizations.
The unit most people associate with JBA is the 89th Airlift Wing, which is part of Air Mobility Command. The 89th is responsible for worldwide special air mission airlift, logistics, and communications support for the President, the Vice President, and other senior U.S. leaders. The VC-25 aircraft — known publicly as Air Force One when the President is on board — is assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing. That mission has given JBA its nickname: "Home of Air Force One."
Beyond the 89th, JBA hosts more than 80 tenant organizations and supports tens of thousands of personnel in the National Capital Region.
Where to Live When PCSing to Joint Base Andrews
Most families who move to JBA either live in on-post housing or settle in one of the surrounding communities. Your choice usually comes down to commute, schools, budget, and the feel you want. Ask your sponsor and the housing office about on-post options and wait times before you sign anything off post.
Approximate one-way drive times to Joint Base Andrews. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.
Camp Springs
Camp Springs is the closest off-post community to JBA's main gate, about 8 minutes away. It is a practical, well-connected neighborhood with easy access to the base and to the Metro's Blue Line into D.C. Many service members start here because the commute is short and shopping and services are nearby.
Clinton
Clinton is about 12 minutes from the gate with a mix of established single-family homes and townhomes that tend to be more affordable than closer-in Maryland suburbs. Families who want a bit more home without a long drive often look here.
Upper Marlboro
Upper Marlboro is the Prince George's County seat, about 15 minutes from the base. It has a small-town center and a range of housing from older neighborhoods to newer subdivisions, with a slightly more rural feel than Camp Springs.
Fort Washington
Fort Washington, about 20 minutes south, sits along the Potomac River near National Harbor. It is a quieter, established area with good access to both the base and the Virginia side of the metro via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
Brandywine
Brandywine is about 20 minutes from the gate and offers more land for the money than communities closer to D.C. If you want more space without a long commute, this area is worth considering.
Waldorf
Waldorf is roughly 25 minutes from JBA and is one of the largest communities in Charles County. It has a wide range of housing, strong retail, and a broad choice of schools — a common landing spot for families who need more home for the budget.
Bowie
Bowie is about 25 minutes from JBA to the northeast. It is a well-established suburb with good schools and easy access to Annapolis if that matters to your family.
Joint Base Andrews BAH and the Cost of Living
If you live off post, the military helps cover your housing through BAH, or Basic Allowance for Housing — a monthly, tax-free payment that depends on your rank, dependent status, and your duty station's Military Housing Area (MHA). Joint Base Andrews falls within the Washington, D.C. MHA, which reflects the high cost of housing in the National Capital Region.
Because rates change each year, we do not publish a rate table here. Use the official DoD calculator: travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup. Always confirm your rate before signing a lease or making an offer.
For a sense of buying costs, the typical home value in Waldorf was about $384,737 in mid-2026, according to Zillow. That is a typical value, not a median sale price. As of the week of June 18, 2026, Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.47 percent. Run the numbers for your own situation before deciding whether to buy or rent.
