How long is the on-base housing waitlist at Joint Base Andrews?

Waitlists at Andrews vary by bedroom size. 2- and 3-bedroom units typically move faster. 4-bedroom units may have a 3 to 6 month wait or longer. Contact Corvias at Andrews the day you receive orders. You can be on the waitlist before you arrive and decline the offer if you decide to buy off-base.

What is the BAH rate for Joint Base Andrews in 2026?

Andrews BAH is calculated at the Prince George's County rate. Approximate 2026 rates: E-5 with dependents $2,400-$2,600/month, E-7 with dependents $2,800-$3,000/month, O-4 with dependents $3,600-$3,900/month, O-5 with dependents $3,900-$4,100/month. BAH rates change every January. Verify exact rates at the official DoD BAH calculator.

Should I live in Maryland or Virginia if stationed at Andrews?

Almost all Andrews families live in Maryland. Commuting to Andrews from Virginia requires crossing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge or going through DC, which adds significant time and unpredictability. Maryland options (Prince George's County, Charles County, and southern Anne Arundel County) are the practical choice for Andrews families.

What is the commute from Waldorf to Joint Base Andrews?

Waldorf to Andrews runs 20 to 30 minutes in off-peak hours, 40 to 60 minutes in rush hour via MD-5 North. No direct Metro connection to Andrews from Waldorf. Most Waldorf-based Andrews families drive. The longer commute is why Waldorf families typically cite Charles County Public Schools performance as the reason they chose that area.

Which schools do Joint Base Andrews families use?

Andrews families use Prince George's County Public Schools (for Camp Springs, Clinton, Fort Washington, Bowie), Charles County Public Schools (for Waldorf, La Plata), and private or parochial options throughout the area. PGCPS has strong magnet programs including Eleanor Roosevelt High School's Science and Technology magnet. Charles County has higher overall district performance metrics than PGCPS. Families typically choose their housing area based on which district they prefer.

Is Joint Base Andrews a good assignment?

Andrews is widely considered one of the better Air Force assignments for quality of life. Proximity to Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and every major federal employer is unmatched. BAH is strong for this market. The DC metro's cultural and recreational resources are at your doorstep. Trade-offs are cost of living (manageable with the right housing choice) and traffic (also manageable if you live on the same side of the Potomac as your work).

PCS to Joint Base Andrews: Your 2026 Relocation Guide

Nobody tells you where Andrews families actually live.

The Wikipedia entry says Camp Springs. The installation map says Clinton. The real answer, if you ask five spouses who have done this, is that Andrews families live in four or five distinct areas, and the right one for you depends on your budget, your school priorities, and how much commute you can absorb.

Here is what five tours at Andrews actually looks like.

What this guide does

Walks you through the four housing strategies Andrews families actually use, with specific price points and commute times.
Gives you the live 2026 Prince George's County market data so you know whether to be aggressive or patient.
Tells you which schools to research at the elementary level in each area.
Points you to the verified smover agents and lenders who close VA deals near Andrews regularly.

Joint Base Andrews: quick facts

Joint Base Andrews sits in Camp Springs, Maryland, in southern Prince George's County. Home of the 89th Airlift Wing (which operates the presidential fleet), the 113th Wing, and a long list of tenant commands. Approximately 10 miles southeast of Capitol Hill, 15 miles from the Pentagon.

On-base housing is managed by Corvias, with roughly 1,300 family units. 2- and 3-bedroom units move faster than 4-bedroom units. Apply for the waitlist the day orders arrive.

BAH at Andrews in 2026

Andrews BAH is calculated at the Prince George's County rate. Approximate ranges:

E-5 with dependents: $2,400 to $2,600/month
E-7 with dependents: $2,800 to $3,000/month
O-3 with dependents: $3,200 to $3,400/month
O-4 with dependents: $3,600 to $3,900/month
O-5 with dependents: $3,900 to $4,100/month

Verify your exact BAH at the official DoD BAH calculator.

The good news: Because Prince George's County home prices are meaningfully lower than Arlington, Bethesda, or DC proper, your BAH buys more house here than at most DC-area installations.

Today's rates and what they buy you near Andrews

At 6.32% on a $425K home with zero down (VA loan), your monthly principal and interest is approximately $2,640. Add property tax (~$350/month at PG County's ~~1% rate) and insurance (~~$75/month) for a total around $3,065. That fits comfortably within most Andrews BAH rates for E-6 and above.

The live market in Prince George's County

Prince George's County Market Snapshot

$477K

Median Price

Avg Days on Market

Estimated Payment at 6.29%

$2,357/mo

20% down on a $477K home

Data from verified transaction records and public sources

As of April 6, 2026, per Redfin county data:

Median sale price: $476,500
Months of supply: 3.2 (balanced-to-seller leaning)
Sold above list: 33.4%
Median days on market: 64

What this means for your offer strategy: you typically have more time and less pressure than families buying in Montgomery County or Fairfax County. Well-priced homes still move quickly but the 64-day median DOM gives you room to make thoughtful decisions.

The four housing strategies Andrews families use

Strategy 1: On-base housing

Managed by Corvias. 2- to 4-bedroom units. All utilities included. 5 to 10 minute drive to any work location on base.

Pros: No commute. Strong military community. Kids walk to CDC and schools. No utility bills.

Cons: Waitlist (especially for 4-bedroom units). Older stock in some sections. Limited personalization.

Who it fits: Families who want maximum proximity, have a shorter tour ahead of them, or are building cash savings with the BAH that would otherwise go to a mortgage.

Strategy 2: Close-in off-base (Camp Springs, Clinton, Fort Washington)

Typical homes: older single-family built between the 1950s and 1980s. Split-levels, ramblers, and mid-century colonials on lots ranging from quarter-acre to half-acre. Commute to the gate: 5 to 15 minutes.

Price ranges:

Camp Springs: $280K-$380K for single-family
Clinton: $340K-$480K for single-family
Fort Washington: $320K-$450K for single-family

Who it fits: Families who want short commute, active military community presence, and lower price point than farther-out options.

Strategy 3: Waldorf (Charles County)

20 to 30 minute commute south on MD-5 or MD-210. Larger homes, often newer construction. Charles County Public Schools serves this area (a different district than PGCPS, with different performance metrics).

Price ranges: $350K-$500K for newer 4- and 5-bedroom single-family. More space per dollar than Camp Springs or Clinton.

Why many families choose it: Charles County Public Schools report higher performance on standardized testing and graduation metrics than Prince George's County Public Schools. Families who prioritize school district often choose Waldorf and accept the longer commute.

Trade-off: 45 to 60 minute rush-hour commutes to the Andrews gate on MD-5. Plan for the actual drive time, not the Google Maps off-peak estimate.

Strategy 4: Bowie

Northeast of Andrews, 20 to 30 minutes. Established suburban neighborhoods, PGCPS schools, MARC Camden Line access. Route 50 access toward Annapolis.

Price ranges: $380K-$550K for single-family. More established neighborhoods than newer Waldorf developments.

Who it fits: Families who want suburban established character and don't need to be right at the gate. Families whose spouses may commute toward DC or Annapolis for separate work.

School considerations by area

PGCPS (Camp Springs, Clinton, Fort Washington, Bowie): Prince George's County Public Schools performance varies significantly by specific school. Strong magnet programs exist, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School's Science and Technology magnet (countywide application) and DuVal High School's performing arts magnet. For elementary and middle schools, research specific assignments using the PGCPS locator tool and the Maryland State Department of Education school report cards.

Charles County Public Schools (Waldorf area): Higher performance metrics on standardized tests and graduation rates than PGCPS. La Plata High School and Westlake High School are strong. Families who prioritize district-wide performance and can handle the commute often choose Charles County for this reason.

Private and parochial: The area has several well-regarded private and parochial options. Budget accordingly if this is in play.

VA loans at Andrews: market-specific realities

The Andrews market is not as competitive as Fairfax or Arlington. Most offers are not in multi-bidder situations. This is helpful for VA buyers because:

VA appraisals are less likely to come in below contract at these price points.
Sellers are generally accepting of VA offers without the skepticism sometimes seen in ultra-competitive Northern Virginia markets.
You have negotiating room on closing costs, inspection items, and repair credits.

The biggest risk is lender speed. A slow lender in a relatively calm market can still lose you the house to a faster cash or conventional offer. Get pre-approved before you start looking.

Recommended lender for Andrews families

Stephen Fox is one of our top verified DMV lenders and closes VA loans regularly across Prince George's, Charles, and Anne Arundel Counties. He knows the PGCPS appraisal appetite and Andrews-specific timing. You can also browse other verified DMV lenders on smover to compare.

Find a verified agent near Andrews

You want an agent who closes regularly in the specific area you are targeting, not a generalist claiming the whole DMV. An agent who does 15 Clinton closings a year knows the Clinton market in a way that cannot be faked.

Browse verified Prince George's County agents or filter by specific city (Camp Springs, Clinton, Fort Washington, Bowie) for the highest-signal match.

Meeting agents in empty houses

You are going to tour homes with someone you have only met on Zoom. Multiple homes. Probably alone during the day while your spouse is working or still at your current duty station.

Every agent on smover is identity-verified. Every sales record comes from verified transaction data. Every track record is visible before you schedule the first showing. The minimum a platform should give you.

What to do this week

Apply for on-base housing the day orders arrive. Waitlist can be 3 to 6 months. You can decline later if you decide to buy.
Get VA pre-approved with Stephen Fox or another verified DMV lender. 48-72 hours.
Decide your school priority (PGCPS vs Charles County vs private). This drives which housing strategy fits.
Interview 2-3 agents who actually close in your target area. Browse by city.
Check the commute at realistic times. MD-5 northbound at 7am is a very different drive than MD-5 northbound at 11am.

Your first 30 days at Andrews

In-process at the installation (checklist provided at sponsor meeting).
Enroll kids in school (bring transcripts, immunizations, proof of residency).
Confirm license transfer or reciprocity if your profession requires one. Maryland, Virginia, and DC all handle this differently.
Join the spouse network at Andrews. Every Air Force installation has one and it is genuinely valuable.
If buying, finalize your lender and agent selections. Get under contract within the first 30 days if you want to close before the 60-day TLE runs out.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the on-base housing waitlist?

Varies by bedroom size. 2- and 3-bedroom units move faster. 4-bedroom units can be 3-6 months or longer. Apply the day orders arrive.

What is the 2026 BAH for Andrews?

PG County rate. E-5 w/dep: $2,400-$2,600. O-4 w/dep: $3,600-$3,900. Verify at the DoD BAH calculator.

Maryland or Virginia for Andrews?

Almost all Andrews families live in Maryland. Virginia adds a Woodrow Wilson Bridge crossing to your daily commute.

Waldorf to Andrews commute?

20-30 min off-peak, 40-60 min rush hour via MD-5. Many Waldorf families cite Charles County Public Schools performance as the reason they commute.

Which schools do Andrews families use?

PGCPS (Camp Springs, Clinton, Bowie), Charles County Public Schools (Waldorf), or private/parochial. PGCPS has strong magnets. Charles County has higher district-wide metrics.

Is Andrews a good assignment?

Yes, widely considered one of the better Air Force assignments. Proximity to every major federal employer. Strong BAH for the market.

Market data updates weekly from Redfin county data, FRED, and Mortgage News Daily. Last data refresh: April 6, 2026 (county metrics) and April 17, 2026 (mortgage rates).