Moving to Camp Lejeune
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, along the coast at Jacksonville, North Carolina, is the Corps’ largest East Coast base and home to II Marine Expeditionary Force. Families PCSing here settle in Jacksonville, Hubert, or Sneads Ferry, where coastal Carolina home prices stay low enough that buying with a VA loan is common.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing through Atlantic Marine Corps Communities offers many neighborhoods, with waitlists on larger homes. Off-base, Jacksonville has the most inventory right outside the gates, Hubert and Sneads Ferry sit closer to the coast, and Richlands offers newer, cheaper construction inland. Prices are low for a coastal market, so first-term Marines often buy.
Where military families live near Camp Lejeune
Families PCSing to Camp Lejeune most often settle in Jacksonville, Hubert / Sneads Ferry, Richlands. The table below shows typical rents, home prices, and drive time to the gate for each.
| Area | 3-bed rent | Home prices | To gate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $1,200-$1,700 | $200k-$300k | 5-15 min | Largest rental market directly outside the gates; the default for most Marines. |
| Hubert / Sneads Ferry | $1,300-$1,850 | $230k-$340k | 15-30 min | Closer to the beaches and Stone Bay range; popular with families. |
| Richlands | $1,250-$1,750 | $210k-$310k | 20-35 min | Newer, cheaper construction and larger lots inland. |
2026 BAH near Camp Lejeune
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Camp Lejeune is set by the NC178 (Camp Lejeune, NC) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,584 | $1,476 |
| E-7 | $1,995 | $1,593 |
| O-3 | $2,085 | $1,809 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Camp Lejeune
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swansboro High School | High | Onslow County Schools | Swansboro |
| Dixon Middle School | Middle | Onslow County Schools | Holly Ridge |
| Sand Ridge Elementary | Elementary | Onslow County Schools | Hubert |
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Start your PCS checklistCamp Lejeune PCS FAQ
Is it common to buy a home near Camp Lejeune?
Yes. Jacksonville and the surrounding Onslow County towns have some of the lowest coastal home prices in the country, so buying with a VA loan is realistic even for junior Marines. Many families buy, then keep the home as a rental after they PCS, since the steady Marine population keeps demand strong.
Which towns are closest to Camp Lejeune?
Jacksonville wraps around the main gates and has the largest rental market, making it the default choice. Hubert and Sneads Ferry sit closer to the beaches and the Stone Bay range area. Richlands, about 20 to 35 minutes inland, offers newer and cheaper construction on larger lots.
Related bases
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