If you have orders for a PCS to West Point, welcome to one of the most storied installations in the Army. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for moving from one duty station to another. The United States Military Academy, or USMA, at West Point is best known as the Army's officer-commissioning academy, but it is also a full-service permanent-duty station for the staff, faculty, and garrison personnel who live and work there alongside their families. This 2026 guide is written for those families. We will cover where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, the local climate, and a few things to do once you are settled in the Hudson Valley. A move is a lot to manage. Our goal is to make the West Point part feel a little clearer.
What and Where Is West Point?
West Point is located on the west bank of the Hudson River in Orange County, New York, about 50 miles north of New York City. The installation occupies a commanding bluff above the river, and the views of the Hudson Highlands are striking in every season.
The United States Military Academy describes its mission as building, educating, training, and inspiring the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army Values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and the nation. The U.S. Army Garrison West Point supports that work; its mission is to provide the services, programs, and infrastructure to sustain the West Point community.
West Point is not a traditional combat brigade post. Permanent-party soldiers, civilians, and instructors join a tight academic community built around the development of Army officers. The pace and culture reflect that mission.
Where to Live When PCSing to West Point
Families at West Point can live on post or in one of the surrounding communities in Orange County. On-post housing, managed by West Point Family Homes, is available to permanent-party personnel, though the West Point Housing Services Office notes that wait times can stretch during the busy May-through-September PCS season. Contact the housing office and ask your sponsor early so you know where you stand before you arrive.
Off post, the communities below offer a range of choices by commute, school district, and feel.
Approximate one-way drive times to West Point. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.
Highland Falls
Highland Falls sits just outside the main gate, about five minutes from the post. Commutes are essentially nothing, the village has deep ties to the military community, and it falls inside the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District. Homes tend to be smaller and older, but for proximity you cannot beat it.
Fort Montgomery
Fort Montgomery is immediately north of Highland Falls along the Hudson, roughly ten minutes from the post. It is quiet, walkable to the river, and shares the same school district as Highland Falls.
Cornwall
Cornwall is about 15 minutes from the post along Route 9W. It has a small-town feel, a mix of older and newer housing, and falls within the Cornwall Central School District. For families who want more space and a fuller town center than Highland Falls, Cornwall is a popular step up.
Cornwall-on-Hudson
Cornwall-on-Hudson is also roughly 15 minutes out, right at the river's edge. It shares Cornwall's school district, so the choice between the two often comes down to housing type and setting preference.
New Windsor
New Windsor is about 20 minutes from the post, a larger township with more housing variety and easy access to retail along Route 9W. Families who want more options at a moderate commute often look here.
Washingtonville
Washingtonville is about 25 minutes from West Point, moving inland from the river. Housing tends to be more affordable than communities closer to the Hudson, and it falls within the Washingtonville Central School District.
Newburgh
Newburgh is roughly 25 minutes from West Point and offers the most housing inventory and variety in the area. Neighborhoods vary considerably, so touring in person or working with a local agent is especially useful here.
West Point BAH and the Cost of Living
If you live off post, the military helps cover your housing through BAH, which stands for Basic Allowance for Housing. BAH is a monthly, tax-free payment that depends on your rank, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's Military Housing Area, or MHA. The West Point Housing Services Office notes that BAH rates at West Point are higher than in many other parts of the country, reflecting the cost of the greater New York metro area. Because rates change each year and vary by rank and dependent status, we do not publish a rate table here. Use the official DoD calculator at travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup to find your exact figure. Always confirm yours before signing a lease or making an offer.
For a sense of buying costs, the typical home value in Orange County was about $457,335 as of April 30, 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. Read our guide to what are the benefits of a VA loan to understand your options before you start shopping.
Schools Near West Point
The schools your children attend depend on where you live. Several districts serve the West Point area.
