Moving to West Point
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Highland Falls, New York.
Also known as: USMA, United States Military Academy
West Point, the United States Military Academy, sits on the Hudson River about an hour north of New York City. Families PCSing here, largely officers and academy staff, live in Highland Falls at the gate or the Hudson Valley towns of Cornwall and New Windsor, in a scenic but higher-cost Northeast market.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-post housing is a major draw given the historic setting and Hudson Valley prices, with waitlists on the best homes. Off-post, Highland Falls sits right at the gate, Cornwall and New Windsor offer suburban homes and good schools nearby, and the Newburgh area provides more value farther out. Proximity to New York City keeps prices above the national average.
Where military families live near West Point
Families PCSing to West Point most often settle in Highland Falls, Cornwall / New Windsor, Newburgh area. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Falls | $1,900-$2,600 | $330k-$470k | 5-10 min | Right at the gate; small town with the shortest commute. |
| Cornwall / New Windsor | $2,000-$2,700 | $380k-$540k | 15-25 min | Suburban homes and good schools just north. |
| Newburgh area | $1,800-$2,400 | $320k-$450k | 25-35 min | More value farther out across the Hudson Valley. |
2026 BAH near West Point
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at West Point is set by the NY217 (West Point, NY) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $3,468 | $2,859 |
| E-7 | $4,215 | $3,264 |
| O-3 | $4,380 | $3,882 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near West Point
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| James I. O’Neill High School | High | Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery CSD | Highland Falls |
| Cornwall Central High School | High | Cornwall CSD | Cornwall |
| West Point Elementary | Elementary | West Point Schools | West Point |
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Get my free quotesWest Point PCS FAQ
Is West Point an expensive place to be stationed?
Yes, relative to most Army posts. West Point sits in New York’s Hudson Valley about an hour from New York City, so home prices and rents run well above the national average and BAH is set high to match. On-post historic housing is a popular way to manage costs and enjoy the setting.
Where do families live near West Point?
Many choose the historic on-post housing for its setting and convenience. Off-post, Highland Falls sits right at the gate, Cornwall and New Windsor offer suburban homes and good schools a short drive north, and the Newburgh area provides more value farther out across the scenic Hudson Valley.
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