Military Relocation / PCS to NAS Pax River
PCS to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
Where the Future
Takes Flight.
PCSing to Naval Air Station Patuxent River? Kelly and Keith Jackson know Southern Maryland, and we help Navy families, NAVAIR civilians and defense contractors land in the right home on the right timeline.
// Base Briefing
About NAS Pax River
Naval Air Station Patuxent River is the Navy's center for research, development, test and evaluation of naval aircraft, located at the mouth of the Patuxent River in St. Mary's County, Maryland, next to Lexington Park. It was commissioned in 1943 and is about 65 miles southeast of Washington, DC.
Pax River is headquarters for Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and the Navy's fixed wing and rotary wing test squadrons, along with more than 50 other tenant commands. Webster Outlying Field, south of the main station, is part of the complex.
That means the people moving here are not only sailors, Marines and officers on PCS orders. Engineers, program managers and defense contractors relocate to Southern Maryland every year to work with NAVAIR, and we work with all of them.
What We Do For You
01
Remote & Virtual Tours
Can't visit in person yet? We conduct full video walkthroughs and neighborhood drive-throughs so you can confidently make an offer before you arrive.
02
VA Loan Expertise
Zero down, no PMI, and assumable VA loans at the seller's original rate when available. We connect you with VA lenders who close on PCS timelines.
03
Noise Zone & Rural Know-How
Some homes near the airfield sit inside the base's aircraft noise zones, and many outside Lexington Park use a well and septic system. We check both before you write an offer.
04
Sell & Buy Coordination
Selling before you PCS here? Our network of agents across the country can help you sell your current home, wherever it is. If it's already in the DMV, KJAX Group is licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, so we can handle both sides of the move.
// Area Intelligence
Best Communities Near Pax River
5 to 10 min from gate
Lexington Park, MD
The town that grew up around the base. Shortest commute, the most homes priced for a first PCS purchase, and shopping along Great Mills Road and Route 235.
10 to 15 min
California, MD
The most popular choice for Pax River families, with newer subdivisions, townhomes and the San Souci and First Colony shopping areas along Route 235.
10 to 15 min
Great Mills, MD
Established neighborhoods south and west of Lexington Park with a lower median price, plus quick access to Gate 2 and Webster Field.
15 to 25 min
Hollywood, MD
More land and a quieter, rural feel north of California, with waterfront homes on the Patuxent and plenty of single family options on larger lots.
20 to 25 min
Leonardtown, MD
The St. Mary's County seat, with a walkable town square, restaurants and the Leonardtown Wharf on Breton Bay. Higher prices for the small town lifestyle.
15 to 30 min
Solomons & Lusby, MD
Across the Thomas Johnson Bridge in Calvert County. Waterfront living and marinas in Solomons, more affordable homes in Lusby. Bridge traffic at shift change adds time.
30 to 40 min
Mechanicsville, MD
Northern St. Mary's County, with newer construction and more house for the money. A good split for households with a second commute toward Waldorf or DC.
45 to 60 min
Charles County, MD
La Plata and Waldorf work for dual military households with one commute to Pax River and another to Andrews or Indian Head.
// Market Intel
What Homes Cost Near Pax River
The median sold price in St. Mary's County was $425,000 in September 2026, up 3.8% from a year earlier, and homes averaged 28 days on market. Active listings were up about 18% from last year, which gives buyers arriving this season more homes to choose from.
St. Mary's County closed sales, September 2026. Source: Bright MLS. Prices vary widely by community, from Lexington Park and Great Mills at the lower end to Leonardtown and waterfront Hollywood at the higher end.
Your VA Loan Benefit
Is Cleared for Takeoff
Zero down payment. No private mortgage insurance. Competitive interest rates. The VA loan is one of the most powerful home buying tools in existence, and we know how to use it. Let's talk before your orders are even finalized. Learn more about buying with a VA loan.
// Preflight Checklist
Your Pax River PCS Checklist
A practical, working checklist for your move. Check items off as you go. Nothing here is saved when you leave the page, so feel free to come back and start fresh anytime.
General PCS Prep
Pax River Specific
// Fleet Intelligence
Pax River PCS FAQs
Where is NAS Patuxent River located?
Naval Air Station Patuxent River is in St. Mary's County, Maryland, where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay, next to Lexington Park. It is about 65 miles southeast of Washington, DC.
Where do most Pax River families live?
Most families live in Lexington Park, California or Great Mills for the shortest commute, or in Hollywood and Leonardtown for more land and a small town feel. Solomons and Lusby in Calvert County are popular too, across the Thomas Johnson Bridge.
Is there on-base housing at Pax River?
Yes. Military family housing at Pax River is privatized, with about 750 homes across six neighborhoods, three of them on base. Availability and wait lists change, so contact the Pax River Housing Service Center as soon as you have orders.
What does a home cost near Pax River?
The median sold price in St. Mary's County was $425,000 in September 2026, based on Bright MLS data. Detached homes averaged about $507,000 and townhomes and condos about $366,000.
Can I use my VA loan to buy near Pax River?
Yes. VA loans are widely used across St. Mary's and Calvert counties. Homes with a private well or septic system may need extra inspections to meet VA property requirements, so build that time into your contract.
I'm a NAVAIR civilian or contractor. Can you still help?
Yes. Many people relocating to Pax River are federal civilians or defense contractors. We coordinate with your relocation company and lender so the purchase fits your package timeline, with a VA, conventional or FHA loan. Call 240.385.9905 to start.
Your Agents
Your Southern Maryland Team
We come from a military family, and Kelly holds the Military Relocation Professional certification. Active duty service members, veterans and surviving spouses receive a commission discount when they buy or sell with KJAX Group. Military relocation services