Moving to Coast Guard Training Center Cape May
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Cape May, New Jersey.
Also known as: TRACEN Cape May
Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, at the southern tip of the New Jersey shore, is the only recruit training center for the entire U.S. Coast Guard. Families PCSing here, largely company commanders and staff, settle in the Cape May and Lower Township area, in a seasonal shore market that is quieter and more affordable in the off-season.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, the Villas and Lower Township area near the base offers the most year-round inventory and value, Cape May itself is a charming but seasonal Victorian resort town, and Rio Grande and the mainland towns provide more options. Shore prices run above average, but off-season and inland areas are more affordable.
Where military families live near Coast Guard Training Center Cape May
Families PCSing to Coast Guard Training Center Cape May most often settle in Villas / Lower Township, Cape May, Rio Grande / Middle Township. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villas / Lower Township | $1,700-$2,300 | $350k-$480k | 5-15 min | Most year-round inventory and value near the base. |
| Cape May | $2,000-$2,800 | $450k-$650k | 5-15 min | Charming Victorian resort town; pricey and seasonal. |
| Rio Grande / Middle Township | $1,650-$2,200 | $330k-$460k | 15-25 min | More options on the mainland to the north. |
2026 BAH near Coast Guard Training Center Cape May
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May is set by the NJ198 (Cape May, NJ) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,754 | $2,172 |
| E-7 | $3,114 | $2,532 |
| O-3 | $3,186 | $2,955 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Coast Guard Training Center Cape May
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Cape May Regional High School | High | Lower Cape May Regional | Cape May |
| Middle Township High School | High | Middle Township Schools | Cape May Court House |
| David C. Douglass Elementary | Elementary | Lower Township Elementary | Villas |
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Where do most families live near Coast Guard TRACEN Cape May?
The Villas and Lower Township area near the base offers the most year-round inventory and value, so most families settle there. Cape May itself is a charming but seasonal Victorian resort town with higher prices. Rio Grande and the mainland towns to the north provide more options a short drive away.
What is it like living at the southern tip of the Jersey Shore?
It is a seasonal beach community that is busy in summer and quiet the rest of the year. Cape May is known for its Victorian charm and beaches, and off-season the area is calmer and more affordable. Families enjoy the shore lifestyle, with Atlantic City and Philadelphia within driving distance for bigger amenities.
Related bases
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
Wrightstown, New Jersey
NavyNaval Station Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Side-by-side comparisons: Coast Guard Training Center Cape May vs Joint Base McGuire-Dix-LakehurstCoast Guard Training Center Cape May vs Naval Station Newport
More: Coast Guard bases · Bases in New Jersey