Moving to Naval Station Norfolk
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Norfolk, Virginia.
Naval Station Norfolk, in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region, is the largest naval base in the world and homeport to much of the Atlantic Fleet. Sailors PCSing here spread across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake, a large metro with a wide range of prices and a deep, military-friendly housing market.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Should you live on base or off base at Naval Station Norfolk?
On-base and Navy housing through Lincoln Military Housing serves the fleet, with the usual waitlists on larger units. Off-base, Norfolk puts sailors closest to the piers, Virginia Beach draws families for schools and the oceanfront, and Chesapeake offers newer suburban construction. The huge military population makes Hampton Roads one of the most VA-loan-friendly markets anywhere.
Where do military families live near Naval Station Norfolk?
Families PCSing to Naval Station Norfolk most often settle in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | $1,500-$2,100 | $280k-$400k | 5-20 min | Closest to the piers; widest price range from urban rentals to family homes. |
| Virginia Beach | $1,700-$2,400 | $350k-$500k | 20-40 min | Top schools and the oceanfront; the family favorite despite a longer commute. |
| Chesapeake | $1,650-$2,300 | $340k-$480k | 20-35 min | Newer suburban construction and larger lots for buyers. |
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 Naval Station Norfolk?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Naval Station Norfolk is set by the VA298 (Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,430 | $1,908 |
| E-7 | $2,604 | $2,235 |
| O-3 | $2,694 | $2,505 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Calculate BAH for any pay grade at Naval Station Norfolk →
See how Naval Station Norfolk ranks in the 2026 BAH rankings →
Get free quotes for your move to Naval Station Norfolk
Now that you know the numbers, line up movers, storage, auto transport, and insurance near Norfolk. Free, no obligation.
Get my free quotesWhat schools are near Naval Station Norfolk?
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Lakes High School | High | Virginia Beach City Public Schools | Virginia Beach |
| Great Bridge Middle School | Middle | Chesapeake Public Schools | Chesapeake |
| Larchmont Elementary | Elementary | Norfolk Public Schools | Norfolk |
Naval Station Norfolk PCS FAQ
Where do most sailors live near Naval Station Norfolk?
It splits three ways. Norfolk puts sailors closest to the piers with the widest range of prices. Virginia Beach draws families for its schools and the oceanfront despite a longer commute. Chesapeake offers newer suburban homes and larger lots. All three have deep, military-friendly rental and resale markets.
Is Hampton Roads a good area to buy with a VA loan?
Yes. Hampton Roads has one of the largest military populations in the country, which keeps demand steady and makes it very VA-loan-friendly. Prices are moderate for a coastal metro, and the constant rotation of sailors means homes rent and resell quickly when families PCS out.
Related bases
Camp Lejeune
Jacksonville, North Carolina
NavyNaval Base San Diego
San Diego, California
Side-by-side comparisons: Naval Station Norfolk vs Camp LejeuneNaval Station Norfolk vs Naval Base San Diego
More: Navy bases · Bases in Virginia