Moving to Fort Belvoir
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Alexandria, Virginia.
Fort Belvoir, in Fairfax County just south of Washington, D.C., is a major headquarters installation hosting INSCOM, DTRA, and the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. Families PCSing here live in Springfield, Alexandria, or the more affordable Woodbridge and Lorton areas, in one of the highest-cost markets of any Army post.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-post housing serves a fraction of the large workforce, with waitlists common. Off-post, Springfield and Alexandria sit closest to the gates but are pricey, while Woodbridge and Lorton to the south offer better value for the price of a longer commute. As part of the D.C. metro, this is an expensive posting with a high housing allowance to match.
Where military families live near Fort Belvoir
Families PCSing to Fort Belvoir most often settle in Springfield / Kingstowne, Alexandria, Woodbridge / Lorton. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield / Kingstowne | $2,100-$2,900 | $450k-$640k | 10-20 min | Closest to the gates with good schools; pricey but convenient. |
| Alexandria | $2,000-$2,800 | $440k-$620k | 15-25 min | Historic and central with a range of prices near the base. |
| Woodbridge / Lorton | $1,900-$2,500 | $400k-$540k | 15-30 min | Better value to the south for a longer commute. |
2026 BAH near Fort Belvoir
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Fort Belvoir is set by the DC053 (Washington, DC Metro Area) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $3,132 | $2,832 |
| E-7 | $3,855 | $3,099 |
| O-3 | $4,020 | $3,531 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Fort Belvoir
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Braddock Secondary School | High | Fairfax County Public Schools | Burke |
| South County High School | High | Fairfax County Public Schools | Lorton |
| Fort Belvoir Elementary | Elementary | Fairfax County Public Schools | Fort Belvoir |
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Is Fort Belvoir an expensive place to live?
Yes. Fort Belvoir sits in the Washington, D.C. metro, one of the highest-cost areas in the country, so home prices and rents are well above the national average and BAH is set high to match. Springfield and Alexandria are convenient but pricey; Woodbridge and Lorton offer better value for a longer commute.
Where do families live near Fort Belvoir?
Springfield and Kingstowne sit closest to the gates with strong Fairfax County schools. Alexandria offers a historic, central location with a range of prices. Woodbridge and Lorton to the south are more affordable. Fairfax County’s highly rated schools are a major draw across all of these areas.
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