Alaska
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
📍 Anchorage, Alaska
Home to the 3rd Wing and Alaskan Command, JBER provides F-22 Raptor air superiority and airlift capabilities for the Arctic and Pacific theaters.
BAH Rates
MHA: AK001 Rates as of 2026
E-1 with Dependents$2,391/mo
E-5 with Dependents$2,748/mo
E-5 without Dependents$2,040/mo
O-3 with Dependents$3,405/mo
O-3 without Dependents$2,838/mo
Housing
View full housing guide →- On-base: Aurora Military Housing — mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments; newer construction in many areas; waitlists vary by season and rank
- Off-base: Eagle River, Anchorage (Southside), and Chugiak — median single-family homes $350k-$500k; Alaska's no-state-income-tax status helps offset higher housing costs
- BAH: Anchorage BAH is among the highest in the Air Force; comfortably covers good housing options throughout the Anchorage Bowl
- Top pick: Eagle River — 15-25 min commute, top-rated schools, mountain views, and a true Alaskan community feel; the go-to for families
- Note: Alaskan winters are long and dark but the summer midnight sun is magical; blackout curtains are non-negotiable, and winter-prep your vehicles immediately
Neighborhoods
View full neighborhoods guide →- Eagle River — Top family pick, 15-25 min north of base, excellent schools (Chugiak/Eagle River schools are Alaska's best), mountain community, low crime
- South Anchorage (Huffman/O'Malley) — 15-20 min south, newer homes, good schools, closer to Anchorage amenities, Hillside views of Cook Inlet and Denali on clear days
- Chugiak/Peters Creek — 20-30 min north of base, quieter, larger lots, more rural feel, strong schools, popular with retirees and families wanting space
- Anchorage (Turnagain/Spennard) — Closer to base (10-15 min), more established neighborhoods, more variable in quality — research block-by-block
Schools
View full schools guide →🏫 Elementary Schools
Aurora Elementary (DoDEA)⭐ 6/10
On-base, military community
Orion Elementary (DoDEA)⭐ 7/10
On-base, top-rated DoDEA
Chugiak Elementary⭐ 6/10
Eagle River, solid reputation
🏫 Middle Schools
Ursa Major Elementary (DoDEA)⭐ 6/10
On-base, shared campus
Mirror Lake Middle⭐ 5/10
Chugiak/Eagle River area
Gruening Middle School⭐ 4/10
Eagle River, close to base
🏫 High Schools
Eagle River High School⭐ 6/10
Closest to JBER
Chugiak High School⭐ 6/10
Strong athletics and CTE
West Anchorage High⭐ 4/10
Anchorage, larger school
Gates & Commute
- Boniface Gate (main) — Primary entry from Anchorage, 10-20 min peak waits (6:30-8:30 AM); the busiest gate by far
- Glenn Highway Gate — Serves Eagle River/Chugiak commuters, 10-15 min peak, scenic drive along the Chugach Mountains
- Muldoon Gate — Eastern access, lighter traffic, convenient for Muldoon area residents
- Note: Moose on the road are a real gate delay! Don't honk — wait it out. Winter conditions can double commute times during storms
Internet Providers
- GCI (General Communication Inc.) — Alaska's dominant provider, cable and fiber, plans up to 2.5 Gbps; expensive compared to Lower 48 but fast and reliable
- ACS (Alaska Communications) — DSL and fiber in some areas, competitive pricing, good customer service reputation
- Starlink — Increasingly popular in Alaska, excellent for rural areas outside Anchorage proper; low latency and good speeds
- T-Mobile/Verizon — 5G coverage is decent in Anchorage proper; fixed wireless available
- Top pick: GCI fiber if available for speed; ACS or Starlink for better value
Shopping & Dining
- Dimond Center Mall — Anchorage's largest mall with 100+ stores, theaters, and indoor ice skating; a winter survival essential
- 5th Avenue Mall (downtown) — Upscale shopping with Nordstrom, Apple Store, and connected skywalks to beat the cold
- Groceries: Fred Meyer (one-stop shop — groceries, clothing, home goods), Carrs/Safeway, Costco (2 locations), and the JBER Commissary
- Dining: Moose's Tooth (iconic pizza and brewery — an Anchorage must), Glacier Brewhouse, Simon & Seafort's (Inlet views), and 49th State Brewing
- Weekend: Anchorage Market & Festival (summer), Arctic Valley ski area (30 min), and sled dog tours in winter
Gyms & Recreation
- Buckner Fitness Center and Elmendorf Fitness Center — Two large on-base gyms with weight rooms, cardio, pools, basketball courts, and indoor running tracks
- Outdoor Recreation/ITT — Rents camping gear, RVs, boats, skis, and snowboards; organized trips for bear viewing, fishing, glacier cruises, and ski trips
- On-base: Ski hill, bowling alley, movie theater, golf course (Moose Run and Eagleglen), community centers with game rooms
- Skiing/snowboarding: Alyeska Resort (45 min south, largest in Alaska), Arctic Valley (30 min), and Hilltop Ski Area (15 min) — three ski areas within an hour
- Summer: World-class hiking at Flattop Mountain, Kincaid Park trails, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, and hundreds of miles of single track
- Fishing/hunting: Salmon runs in Ship Creek (downtown Anchorage!), Kenai River (2 hrs), and endless backcountry — Alaska is the ultimate outdoor recreation destination
Jobs & Spouse Employment
- On-base: Extensive GS civilian workforce supporting 11th Air Force, 3rd Wing, and Army Alaska; USAJobs listings include IT, logistics, admin, and medical
- Defense contractors: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) support Arctic operations
- Oil & gas: ConocoPhillips, BP, and support companies (significant employer; many jobs are rotational — 2 weeks on/2 off on the North Slope)
- Healthcare: Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Native Medical Center, and Alaska Regional Hospital
- Anchorage economy: Tourism (summer), fishing industry, and state government; seasonal jobs plentiful in summer
- Military spouse: JBER Employment Readiness runs frequent job fairs; Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) pays every resident ~$1,000-$2,000 annually — free money for Alaska residents
Local Attractions
- Denali National Park (4 hrs north) — North America's tallest peak, grizzly bears, caribou, and epic bus tours into the wilderness
- Kenai Fjords National Park (2.5 hrs south) — Glacier cruises, whale watching, sea lions, puffins; Seward is the gateway town
- Alyeska Resort (45 min south) — Skiing and snowboarding in winter, hiking and mountain biking in summer; stunning year-round destination
- Portage Glacier and Whittier (1 hr south) — Drive-through tunnel to a quirky coastal town, glacier views, and Prince William Sound cruises
- Talkeetna (2.5 hrs north) — Quirky mountain town, flightseeing tours of Denali, and the inspiration for Northern Exposure's Cicely
- Northern Lights — Aurora viewing peaks September-March; JBER families see the lights from their backyards on clear winter nights
Area Maps
Photo Gallery
base
F-22 Raptor against the Chugach Mountains at JBER
neighborhood
Eagle River homes with mountain views, top family neighborhood
housing
Aurora Military Housing on JBER with winter backdrop
nature
Denali's summit from Talkeetna, 4 hours north of Anchorage
downtown
Downtown Anchorage with the Chugach Mountains backdrop
restaurant
Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria — an Anchorage icon