PCS to JBER: A 2026 Guide for Military Families in Anchorage, Alaska

If you have orders for a PCS to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, welcome to Alaska. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for moving from one duty station to another. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, known as JBER, sits in Anchorage, the largest city in the United States' northernmost state. This 2026 guide covers what you need to know before you arrive: where the installation is, where families live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, the climate, and a few things to do once you are settled.

A move is a lot to manage at once. This guide is meant to make the JBER part feel a little smaller and a lot clearer.

What and Where Is JBER?

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a U.S. military installation in Anchorage, Alaska, formed in 2010 when Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson were merged. According to the 673d Air Base Wing About Us page, the 673d Air Base Wing comprises over 5,500 joint military and civilian personnel and maintains $15 billion in infrastructure across 85,000 acres, making JBER America's premier strategic power projection platform.

The 673d ABW's stated mission is to "Project Forces, Protect the Homeland, Empower the Joint Base." JBER's higher headquarters is Pacific Air Forces, or PACAF, based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

On the Air Force side, the 3rd Wing operates F-22 Raptors and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at JBER. The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation air superiority fighter, and the C-17 is a large airlift aircraft used to move troops and cargo around the world. On the Army side, the 11th Airborne Division — known as the "Arctic Angels" and headquartered at JBER — serves as the Army's dedicated Arctic force. The division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) is based at JBER and specializes in expeditionary Arctic warfare and joint forcible entry operations. JBER also hosts major commands including U.S. Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, and U.S. Army Alaska.

In plain terms, this is a large, joint installation with a clear Arctic and Pacific defense mission and a community that takes the unique challenges of Alaska seriously.

Where to Live When PCSing to JBER

Most families choose between on-post housing and one of the surrounding communities. On-post housing is managed through the installation's housing office, so check availability early. If you live off post, your choice usually comes down to commute, schools, budget, and how far you want to be from the city.

Approximate one-way drive times to JBER. Times vary with traffic, weather, and which gate you use.

Anchorage

Anchorage surrounds JBER on three sides, and many neighborhoods are within 15 minutes of the main gate. Living in the city means access to restaurants, shopping, medical care, and parks. It is the easiest choice for families who want everything close. Housing prices are higher here than in communities farther out, but the short commute and full range of services make it a common pick.

Eagle River

Eagle River is a community about 15 miles northeast of JBER along the Glenn Highway. It has a smaller-town feel than downtown Anchorage while still offering solid amenities, and it is a short commute to the installation. Many military families settle here for the mix of access and a quieter neighborhood character.

Chugiak

Chugiak is just north of Eagle River along the same corridor, roughly 25 minutes from the base. It is more rural and spread out, with more land per home and a quieter pace. Families who want space without committing to a very long drive often look in Chugiak.

Wasilla

Wasilla is in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, about 45 minutes north of JBER via the Parks Highway. Home prices are generally lower than in Anchorage, and many families trade the commute for more house and more land. The Mat-Su Valley has grown quickly in recent years, with its own commercial corridor and services. The trade-off is a longer drive, especially in winter weather or if the Glenn Highway is icy.

Palmer

Palmer sits about 50 minutes from JBER in the Mat-Su Valley. It is the borough seat and has a historic, small-town character with a growing residential area around it. Families who settle in Palmer or Wasilla often enjoy the valley's wide-open scenery and access to outdoor recreation, accepting the commute as part of the lifestyle.

JBER BAH and the Cost of Living

If you live off post, the military helps cover your rent or mortgage through BAH, which stands for Basic Allowance for Housing. BAH is a monthly, tax-free payment. The amount depends on three things: your rank, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's Military Housing Area, or MHA. An MHA is the geographic zone the Defense Department uses to set local housing pay. JBER falls within the Anchorage MHA.

Because rates change each year and vary by rank and dependent status, we do not publish a rate table here. To find your exact figure, use the official DoD BAH calculator at travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup. Enter your rank and ZIP code to see the current rate. Always confirm yours before signing a lease or making an offer.

For a sense of buying costs, the typical home value in Anchorage was about $419,400 as of May 31, 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. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on how long you expect to be stationed here, so run the numbers for your own situation.

One Alaska-specific item to plan for: if you are shipping a privately owned vehicle, or POV, from the continental United States, the process takes time and paperwork. Start early and confirm your timeline with your transportation office before you sign anything.

Schools Near JBER

The schools your children attend depend on where you live. Two large districts serve most families stationed at JBER.

Families who live within the Municipality of Anchorage fall under the Anchorage School District, Alaska's largest school district. ASD serves a wide range of neighborhoods across the city and offers a variety of schools, choice programs, and specialty options. Boundaries and program offerings vary by area, so confirm the assigned school for any specific address before you commit.

Families who settle in Wasilla, Palmer, or elsewhere in the Mat-Su Valley fall under the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, based in Palmer. The district serves communities spread across roughly 25,000 square miles and includes schools in Wasilla, Palmer, and many surrounding communities, including Wasilla High School and Palmer High School.

Attendance zones can shift, so verify the assigned school for any specific home before you commit. If you have a child who requires special services, contact the Exceptional Family Member Program, or EFMP, office at JBER early in your PCS process.

Healthcare: JBER Hospital and the 673rd Medical Group

On-post medical care at JBER is provided by the 673rd Medical Group, which runs a full-service military hospital at 5955 Zeamer Avenue on the installation. The hospital offers primary care, specialty care, surgery, emergency services, an intensive care unit, pediatrics, women's health, and behavioral health, among other services.

Your military health coverage runs through TRICARE, the health care program for service members and their families. Set up your TRICARE plan early in your PCS. Update your information in DEERS, choose or transfer your plan, and request any referrals through the 673rd Medical Group's Appointments and Referrals page before you arrive so there is no gap in care. Getting this squared away early is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress in your first weeks.

Climate and Things to Do

Anchorage has a subarctic climate with long, dark winters and long, bright summers. The National Weather Service in Anchorage provides local climate records and normals for the area. Winters are cold, with temperatures often below freezing from November through March. Summer days can be long and mild, with Anchorage seeing roughly 19 to 20 hours of daylight near the summer solstice. January, by contrast, brings fewer than six hours of daylight.

Plan for winter before you arrive. That means cold-weather gear for yourself and your family, appropriate tires for your vehicles, and a plan for keeping kids active during the darker months. Heat-rated clothing and layering are not optional — they are daily life. If you are moving from a southern climate, give yourself a few weeks to adjust.

The upside is that Alaska offers outdoor experiences unlike anywhere else in the country. Chugach State Park, managed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, covers approximately 495,000 acres and sits right at the edge of Anchorage, with over 280 miles of trails for hiking, skiing, mountain biking, climbing, wildlife viewing, and more. A daily-use fee or annual parking pass is required at most trailheads.

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs about 11 miles from downtown Anchorage along the shore of Cook Inlet to Kincaid Park, with views of the Alaska Range, Denali, and the Chugach Mountains. It is paved and used year-round for biking, running, and in winter, skiing.

The Kenai Peninsula, roughly two to three hours south by car, is one of the most popular destinations for salmon fishing, kayaking, and glacier hiking. The Kenai River is known worldwide for king salmon, and communities like Soldotna and Homer draw visitors from across the state. If you are stationed at JBER, this is within reach on a long weekend.

Plan Your PCS to JBER

A smooth move comes down to good information and the right team. If you are still mapping out the basics, start with our overview of what military bases are in Alaska. For families who may also have orders to other Alaskan installations, see our sibling guides: PCS to Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks and PCS to Eielson AFB in Fairbanks. To keep your overall timeline on track, use the ultimate PCS checklist and timeline for active-duty military personnel. And if you are planning to buy, read our complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan and what are the benefits of a VA loan.

When you are ready to get a local read on a specific Anchorage or Eagle River neighborhood, ask Bethany Mitchell, a VeteranPCS agent in the Anchorage area, for current listings and prices. If you plan to use your VA loan (a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs), you can also connect with a VeteranPCS lender.

Bethany Mitchell
Wasilla, AK
Veteran
True North Real Estate

Get in Touch

Know another family with orders to JBER? 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 Alaska.

Frequently Asked Questions

What MHA or area is JBER in for BAH?

JBER falls within the Anchorage Military Housing Area for BAH purposes. Your rate depends on your rank and whether you have dependents. Look up your exact figure with the official DoD BAH calculator using your rank and ZIP code.

Where do military families live near JBER?

Common choices include neighborhoods within Anchorage (closest to the installation), Eagle River and Chugiak (northeast along the Glenn Highway), and Wasilla and Palmer (in the Mat-Su Valley, farther north with lower housing costs but longer commutes). On-post housing is also available; check availability with the housing office early.

What units are based at JBER?

On the Air Force side, the 3rd Wing operates F-22 Raptors and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. On the Army side, the 11th Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) is based at JBER. JBER also hosts headquarters for U.S. Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, and U.S. Army Alaska, among other tenant units. See the JBER About Us page for the full picture.

Which school district will my children attend near JBER?

It depends on your address. Families living within the Municipality of Anchorage fall under the Anchorage School District. Families in Wasilla, Palmer, or elsewhere in the Mat-Su Valley fall under the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. Confirm the assigned school for any specific home before you commit, as boundaries can change.

Where do I get healthcare at JBER?

On-post care is centered at the JBER Hospital run by the 673rd Medical Group at elmendorfrichardson.tricare.mil. Set up your TRICARE plan early, update DEERS, and arrange referrals before you arrive so your care continues without a gap.

What should I know about Alaska's climate before my move?

Anchorage has a subarctic climate with cold, dark winters and long summer days. Plan to arrive with or ship cold-weather gear, and make sure your vehicles have winter tires before the first snowfall. Daylight swings dramatically: around 19 to 20 hours in late June, fewer than six hours in late December. Most families adjust within a season, but it helps to plan ahead for both extremes.

This content is for informational purposes. Consult a professional for personal financial decisions.