Maryland
Joint Base Andrews
📍 Camp Springs, Maryland
Home to Air Force One and the 316th Wing, Andrews provides worldwide airlift and support for senior U.S. leadership near Washington, D.C.
BAH Rates
MHA: MD008 Rates as of 2026
E-1 with Dependents$2,634/mo
E-5 with Dependents$3,129/mo
E-5 without Dependents$2,256/mo
O-3 with Dependents$3,942/mo
O-3 without Dependents$3,153/mo
Housing
View full housing guide →- On-base: Liberty Park at Andrews (Balfour Beatty Communities) — mix of townhomes and single-family homes, recently renovated, waitlist common for 3-4 bedroom units
- Off-base: Waldorf, Upper Marlboro, and Alexandria — median single-family home prices range $400k-$700k depending on county and commute distance
- BAH: Among the higher BAH rates nationally; comfortable for most off-base rentals in PG County, stretches further south toward Charles County
- Top pick: On-base housing for first-term families due to DC-area traffic; Balfour Beatty manages maintenance and community events
- Note: Maryland's high cost of living and taxes offset some BAH advantage — budget for MD state income tax
Neighborhoods
View full neighborhoods guide →- Waldorf — Most popular off-base choice, 25-35 min commute, large subdivisions, good schools, extensive shopping at St. Charles Towne Center
- Upper Marlboro — Closest to base, 10-20 min drive, mix of established neighborhoods and new developments; Marlton area especially family-friendly
- Alexandria/Kingstowne — Reverse commute into base (~30 min), higher housing costs but top-rated Fairfax County schools, urban amenities
- Clinton — Very close to base (5-10 min), more affordable but schools rate lower; best for single airmen or couples without school-age kids
Schools
View full schools guide →🏫 Elementary Schools
Francis T. Evans Elementary⭐ 5/10
Close to Andrews
Arrowhead Elementary⭐ 6/10
Upper Marlboro area
Whitehall Elementary⭐ 6/10
Bowie, good reputation
🏫 Middle Schools
Kettering Middle School⭐ 4/10
Close to Andrews
Benjamin Tasker Middle⭐ 6/10
Bowie, good programs
Samuel Ogle Middle⭐ 6/10
Bowie, consistent performer
🏫 High Schools
Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High⭐ 5/10
Close to Andrews, diverse
Bowie High School⭐ 6/10
Strong academics, AP programs
Charles H. Flowers High⭐ 5/10
STEM magnet programs
Gates & Commute
- Main Gate (Allentown Rd/Suirland Pkwy) — Busiest gate, 10-20 min peak waits (6:30-8:30 AM), closer to Maryland-side housing
- Virginia Gate (Branch Ave to I-495) — Serves Alexandria/Springfield commuters, 10-15 min morning peak
- West Gate — Primarily cargo/visitor access, shorter lines but limited hours
- Note: Gate wait times spike during DC special events, presidential movements, and State of the Union — plan extra 15-20 min
Internet Providers
- Xfinity (Comcast) — Dominant provider across PG and Charles counties, plans up to 1.2 Gbps with widespread availability
- Verizon Fios — Available in many areas of Waldorf, Upper Marlboro, and Alexandria; symmetrical gigabit ideal for remote work
- T-Mobile/Verizon 5G Home Internet — Expanding fixed wireless coverage, good for temporary housing gaps
- Top pick: Verizon Fios where available; otherwise Xfinity Gigabit plan
Shopping & Dining
- St. Charles Towne Center (Waldorf) — Major mall with Macy's, JCPenney, food court, and movie theater, 20 min south
- Groceries: Giant Food, Safeway, Wegmans (Woodmore/Springfield), and Harris Teeter throughout the area; on-base Commissary well-stocked
- Dining: The Boulevard at Cap Centre (National Harbor area), Old Town Alexandria restaurants, seafood along the Chesapeake
- Near-base eats: Topolino's Italian, Jerry's Seafood, and Carolina Kitchen are local favorites within 10 min
Gyms & Recreation
- Andrews Fitness Center — Two on-base gyms with weight rooms, cardio, basketball courts, and group fitness classes
- Outdoor Recreation — Rents camping gear, boats, RVs, and offers discounted tickets to DC attractions
- Golf: The Courses at Andrews — 54 holes across three courses, open to all ranks and civilians
- National Harbor — Waterfront dining, shopping, Capital Wheel ferris wheel, and MGM casino, 20 min away
- DC bike trails: Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, Mount Vernon Trail, and Rock Creek Park accessible within 30 min
Jobs & Spouse Employment
- Defense contractors: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, General Dynamics, Booz Allen — all major DC-area employers within commuting range
- Federal government: USDA, Census Bureau, NOAA, NASA Goddard, and dozens of agencies within 30-45 min
- Healthcare: MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital, University of Maryland Capital Region Health
- Education: Prince George's County and Charles County Public Schools hire regularly
- Military spouse: Andrews Spouse Employment Program runs regular workshops; DC metro area has one of the largest spouse professional networks nationwide
- Commute tip: Many spouses work in DC proper — Metro from Branch Avenue station (15 min from base) is a viable car-free commute
Local Attractions
- Washington, D.C. — All Smithsonian museums, monuments, National Mall within 30 min; free and world-class
- National Harbor — Waterfront dining, Tanger Outlets, Capital Wheel, and seasonal events like ICE! at the Gaylord
- Annapolis (40 min east) — Historic Naval Academy, waterfront dining, sailing charters on the Chesapeake Bay
- Baltimore Inner Harbor (50 min north) — National Aquarium, Camden Yards (Orioles), Fort McHenry
- Six Flags America — Major amusement park 15 min east in Upper Marlboro
- Shenandoah National Park (90 min west) — Skyline Drive, hiking, fall foliage
Area Maps
Photo Gallery
base
Air Force One on the ramp at Joint Base Andrews
neighborhood
Family subdivision in Waldorf, top pick for Andrews families
housing
Liberty Park on-base housing at Joint Base Andrews
nature
The National Mall in Washington, D.C., 30 minutes from base
downtown
National Harbor waterfront with the Capital Wheel
restaurant
Chesapeake Bay seafood dining at National Harbor