If you have orders for a PCS to Maxwell Air Force Base, welcome to Montgomery, Alabama. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for moving from one duty station to another. Maxwell AFB is home to Air University, the Air Force's center for professional military education, making it one of the most academically distinctive assignments in the service. This 2026 guide covers where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, and daily life in the Montgomery area.
What and Where Is Maxwell AFB?
Maxwell Air Force Base is located in Montgomery, Alabama, along the banks of the Alabama River, about two miles west of downtown. Gunter Annex, a satellite facility, sits about five miles to the east in Montgomery.
According to the Air University About Us page, Air University — headquartered at Maxwell — is the Air Force's center for professional military education (PME). Its mission is to educate and develop Air, Space, and Cyberspace warrior leaders in support of the National Defense Strategy. The 42nd Air Base Wing serves as the host wing for the installation, providing base operations and support.
Air University's resident programs include the Air War College, the senior PME school for colonels and lieutenant colonels; the Air Command and Staff College, the intermediate school that prepares majors for operational leadership; and Squadron Officer School, the company-grade officer development program. Each year, hundreds of officers, allied nation representatives, and government civilians attend in residence at Maxwell.
The Wright Brothers established the first U.S. civilian flying school in Montgomery in 1910. The airfield was later named for 2nd Lt. William C. Maxwell in 1922, and the institution's tradition of airpower education has continued unbroken since.
Where to Live When PCSing to Maxwell AFB
Most families who move to Maxwell choose between on-post housing and one of the surrounding communities. Your choice usually comes down to commute, schools, budget, and the feel you want. Ask your sponsor and the Maxwell housing office about current on-post availability and wait times.
Approximate one-way drive times to Maxwell AFB. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.
Montgomery
Montgomery is the city Maxwell AFB calls home, and many service members choose to live close to base. Neighborhoods range from established historic districts to newer developments on the east and south sides of town. A commute from most parts of Montgomery runs about 10 minutes. Living in the city puts you close to restaurants, parks, the riverfront, and the state capitol district.
Prattville
Prattville sits about 20 minutes northwest of Maxwell in Autauga County. It is one of the most popular choices for Maxwell families, with newer subdivisions, strong schools with dedicated military-family support, and a quieter small-city feel. Nine Autauga County schools carry the Alabama Purple Star designation for military-connected students, according to the Autauga County Board of Education.
Millbrook
Millbrook is in Elmore County, roughly 20 minutes north of the base. It offers a mix of established neighborhoods and newer construction, with easy access to Interstate 65 and the Elmore County school system.
Pike Road
Pike Road is a growing town southeast of Montgomery, about 25 minutes from Maxwell. Families here are drawn to newer homes and the Pike Road City School System, an independent district with a strong local reputation.
Wetumpka
Wetumpka, the seat of Elmore County, sits about 25 minutes northeast of Maxwell along the Coosa River. It has a small-town feel, newer subdivisions, and a lower price point than some closer communities.
Maxwell AFB BAH and the Cost of Living
If you live off post, the military helps cover your housing costs 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. Maxwell AFB falls within the Montgomery, Alabama 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. Enter your rank and ZIP code to see the current rate. Always confirm your number before signing a lease or making an offer.
For a sense of buying costs in Montgomery, the typical home value in the city was about $136,716 as of mid-2026, according to Zillow. That is a typical value, not a median sale price. Home values in outlying communities like Prattville and Millbrook generally run higher. 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 for your family depends on how long you expect to be stationed here and your personal financial picture.
If you are considering a VA loan — the no-down-payment home loan benefit available to eligible service members and veterans — see what are the benefits of a VA loan, how does a 0 down VA loan work, and 2026 VA loan limits explained for military homebuyers.
Schools Near Maxwell AFB
The schools your children attend depend on where you live.
Montgomery Public Schools serves the city and has a dedicated Military Family Resources program.
Families in Prattville fall under the Autauga County Board of Education. Nine Autauga County schools have earned the Alabama Purple Star designation for military-connected students, and the district partners directly with Maxwell and Gunter Annex, with Military Family Life Counselors at several campuses.
Families in Millbrook or Wetumpka are typically zoned to Elmore County Schools, which has a military-family open-enrollment policy. Pike Road residents are served by the independent Pike Road City School System.
