--- title: 'PCS to Joint Base Andrews: A 2026 Guide for Military Families in Maryland' slug: pcs-to-joint-base-andrews-2026-guide description: >- Planning a PCS to Joint Base Andrews in 2026? Get a plain-language guide to housing, BAH, schools, healthcare, and where to live in Prince George's County. publishedAt: '2026-02-24T09:00:00.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-06-22T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - PCS Help - US Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/pcs-to-joint-base-andrews-2026-guide' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: maryland --- # PCS to Joint Base Andrews: A 2026 Guide for Military Families in Maryland 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](https://www.jba.af.mil/Units/) 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](https://www.jba.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/336383/89th-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 drive times from Maryland communities to Joint Base Andrews, including Camp Springs, Clinton, Upper Marlboro, Fort Washington, Brandywine, Waldorf, and Bowie.](/images/blog/pcs-to-joint-base-andrews-2026-guide/where-to-live.png) *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](https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/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](https://www.zillow.com/home-values/66497/waldorf-md-20604/). That is a typical value, not a median sale price. As of the week of June 18, 2026, [Freddie Mac](https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms) 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. ## Schools Near Joint Base Andrews The schools your children attend depend on where you live. Two main districts serve the communities closest to JBA. Most communities near the installation — Camp Springs, Clinton, Upper Marlboro, Fort Washington, and Bowie — fall within [Prince George's County Public Schools](https://www.pgcps.org/), one of the larger school systems in Maryland. School options vary by neighborhood. Families in Waldorf or Brandywine are served by [Charles County Public Schools](https://www.ccboe.com/), a fast-growing district based in Waldorf that serves more than 27,000 students. School boundaries can shift, so always confirm the assigned school for your specific address before you commit to a home. ## Healthcare: Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center On-post medical care at Joint Base Andrews is centered at the [Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center](https://andrews.tricare.mil/), operated by the 779th Medical Group. The facility offers primary care, specialty clinics, and a range of health services for eligible patients, and it serves as the main Military Treatment Facility, or MTF, for the installation and the broader National Capital Region military community. Your military health coverage runs through TRICARE, the health care program for service members and their families. Set up your TRICARE plan early, update your DEERS record, and arrange referrals before you arrive so there is no gap in care. Find clinic listings and appointment information at the [Andrews Medical Group site](https://andrews.tricare.mil/). ## Climate and Things to Do The National Capital Region has a humid four-season climate. According to the [National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office](https://www.weather.gov/lwx), the area sees moderately cold winters, warm and humid summers, and pleasant springs and falls. Snow is possible but often melts quickly. [National Harbor](https://www.nationalharbor.com/things-to-do/), about 15 minutes from the gate, is a Potomac River waterfront district with restaurants, shops, and the Capital Wheel. Washington, D.C.'s monuments and the [Smithsonian museums](https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm) are about 20 minutes away and free to enter. [Cedarville State Forest](https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/southern/cedarville.aspx) in Brandywine — managed by Maryland DNR — covers nearly 3,900 acres with over 19 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. ## Plan Your PCS to Joint Base Andrews Start with our overview of [what military bases are in Maryland](/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-maryland) if you are still comparing installations. Our guides to [PCS to Fort Meade](/blog/pcs-to-fort-meade-2026-guide) and [living near Walter Reed/Bethesda](/blog/pcs-to-walter-reed-bethesda-2026-neighborhoods-bah) cover two other major Maryland-area duty stations. To map out your move and financing, use [the ultimate PCS checklist and timeline for active-duty military personnel](/blog/the-ultimate-pcs-checklist-and-timeline-for-active-duty-military-personnel) and read [what are the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan). For a local read on a specific neighborhood and its JBA commute, ask Saundra Peters, a VeteranPCS agent in the area, for current listings and prices. If you plan to use your VA loan — a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs — [connect with a VeteranPCS lender](https://www.veteranpcs.com/contact-lender). Know another family with orders to JBA? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move too. For agents and lenders across the state, [connect with our VeteranPCS network in Maryland](https://www.veteranpcs.com/maryland). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What MHA is Joint Base Andrews in for BAH? Joint Base Andrews falls within the Washington, D.C. Military Housing Area for BAH purposes. This MHA reflects the high cost of housing in the National Capital Region. Your rate depends on your rank and whether you have dependents. Look up your exact figure with the official [DoD BAH calculator](https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/) using your rank and ZIP code. ### Where do military families live near Joint Base Andrews? Common choices include Camp Springs and Clinton, which are closest to the gate; Upper Marlboro and Fort Washington for a bit more space; and Waldorf, Brandywine, or Bowie for more home for the budget, usually with a slightly longer drive. On-post housing is also an option — ask your sponsor and the housing office about availability. ### Which school district serves families near Joint Base Andrews? Most communities near the base fall within Prince George's County Public Schools. Families in Waldorf or Brandywine are served by Charles County Public Schools. School assignments depend on your specific address, so confirm the zoned school before you commit to a home. ### Where do I get healthcare at Joint Base Andrews? On-post care is centered at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center, operated by the 779th Medical Group. Set up your TRICARE plan early, update your DEERS record, and arrange any referrals before you arrive so your care continues without a gap. Find details at [andrews.tricare.mil](https://andrews.tricare.mil/). This content is for informational purposes. Consult a professional for personal financial decisions.