Moving to Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Tacoma, Washington.
Also known as: JBLM, Fort Lewis, McChord Field
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, between Tacoma and Olympia, Washington, combines an Army post and an Air Force field into one of the largest joint installations. Families PCSing here choose between Lakewood and DuPont for short commutes or Olympia and Puyallup for schools, in a higher-cost Puget Sound market with no state income tax.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Should you live on base or off base at Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
On-base housing is managed by Liberty Military Housing and is in steady demand given regional prices. Off-base, DuPont sits right next to the I-5 gate, Lakewood offers the most inventory, and Olympia and Puyallup draw families for schools. Puget Sound is one of the pricier markets for a major post, though Washington has no state income tax.
Where do military families live near Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
Families PCSing to Joint Base Lewis-McChord most often settle in DuPont, Lakewood, Olympia. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DuPont | $1,900-$2,600 | $450k-$620k | 5-10 min | Closest town to the main I-5 gate; newer planned community, heavy military presence. |
| Lakewood | $1,600-$2,300 | $380k-$520k | 10-20 min | Largest nearby rental market with a wide range of price points. |
| Olympia | $1,800-$2,500 | $430k-$600k | 20-30 min | State capital to the south; families choose it for schools and amenities. |
Rent and home-price ranges are typical local market estimates as of 2026-07-19, not official listings. See our methodology.
How much is 2026 BAH at Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is set by the WA311 (Tacoma, WA) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,556 | $2,121 |
| E-7 | $2,994 | $2,376 |
| O-3 | $3,123 | $2,784 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
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Get my free quotesWhat schools are near Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Wright Academy | K-12 | Private | Tacoma |
| DuPont-area (Steilacoom Historical SD) | K-12 | Steilacoom Historical School District | DuPont |
| Olympia High School | High | Olympia School District | Olympia |
Joint Base Lewis-McChord PCS FAQ
Is housing expensive near Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
Yes, relative to most Army posts. The Puget Sound market runs well above the national average, so the housing allowance is higher here to match. DuPont and Lakewood sit closest to the gates, while Olympia and Puyallup draw families willing to trade a longer commute for schools and amenities.
Which town is closest to the JBLM main gate?
DuPont is the closest town to the main I-5 gate, a 5 to 10 minute drive, and is a newer planned community with a heavy military presence. Lakewood is slightly farther but has the largest rental market and the widest range of price points near the base.
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