The Pentagon: Where to Live, Commute and Budget for Your PCS

The Pentagon is one of the most sought-after and most crowded assignments in the National Capital Region. Almost 30,000 people work in the building, and there is no housing on site. Where you live will shape your daily life more than almost any other decision you make on this tour. As a military spouse for more than 30 years and an Arlington Associate Broker with 560+ transactions, I help Pentagon families sort that out before they look at a single listing:

Commute. House. Budget. Which two matter most?

Close-in neighborhoods give you a short commute and easy Metro access, but less house for the money. Farther out, you'll find more space within BAH, and a longer, less predictable ride. For a complete regional overview, see my PCS to Northern Virginia guide.

About the Pentagon

The Pentagon is the largest office building in the world. It has about six million square feet of floor space and claims four ZIP codes. The five-sided design came from an earlier proposed site east of Arlington National Cemetery. That site was dropped, but the shape stayed. Built at the start of World War II, the building used reinforced concrete and ramps instead of steel elevators to save steel, and it was held to five stories above ground and two below.

The Pentagon sits at the tip of Northern Virginia, just across the Potomac from Washington, DC. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Arlington National Cemetery are to the northeast, and Reagan National Airport is to the southeast.

Confirm where you'll actually report

A Pentagon assignment doesn't always mean a desk in the building. Many service members report to offices in Crystal City (now part of National Landing) in Arlington, and some report to offices in DC or at other installations. Ask your sponsor for your building before you choose a neighborhood. A few miles one way or the other can change your best options.

Getting to the Pentagon

Metro: the Blue and Yellow lines stop at the Pentagon station. From the Orange and Silver lines in North Arlington, you can transfer to the Blue line.
Bus: the Pentagon Transit Center is served by Metrobus and several local and commuter bus lines.
VRE and slugging: from Woodbridge and Stafford, many commuters take Virginia Railway Express (VRE) to Crystal City or use commuter buses. Slugging (informal carpooling that uses the HOV lanes) is common on the I-95 corridor.
Driving and parking: parking is limited and managed by permit. Ask your sponsor early about parking eligibility and what your office expects.
Bike and walk: many people who live in Arlington bike or walk to work.

Test the commute at the hour you'll actually travel before you commit to an area. If you're buying from afar, I can check real rush-hour times for the addresses you're considering.

Where Pentagon families live

These are starting points, not rules. The right answer depends on your two priorities.

North Arlington

The closest neighborhoods, with Orange and Silver line Metro, bike routes and DoD shuttles. Homes run from condos to large colonials, and prices are among the highest in the region. It's also close to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and offers a reverse commute to Fort Belvoir.

South Arlington

South of Route 50, many military families find single-family homes and townhomes large enough for a family, at somewhat lower prices than North Arlington. Closer to Crystal City and Pentagon City, the homes shift to high-rise apartments and condos, often with gyms, storage and parking. Most of South Arlington has easy access to Route 1, I-395 and several transit options.

City of Alexandria (Old Town, Del Ray)

Old Town is mostly townhomes and condos, and Del Ray adds smaller bungalow-style homes. Both are a short trip to the Pentagon and Crystal City. Northbound traffic in the morning can be heavy, so check the drive at rush hour.

Fort Hunt and Mount Vernon

South of Alexandria, you'll find larger homes, often 1970s split-levels with basements and yards. You can drive north on the George Washington Parkway or Route 1, or drive 5 to 10 minutes to the Huntington Metro station, where the Yellow line reaches the Pentagon in about 12 minutes.

Kingstowne, Springfield and Burke

More inventory at mid-range prices, with homes of all sizes. The Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street Metro stations serve the Kingstowne area, and neighborhood carpools are popular. Depending on the route and the hour, peak commutes can range from about 34 minutes to more than an hour.

Woodbridge and Stafford

The most house and yard for the money, but the longest and least predictable northbound commute. If you choose this area, plan around VRE, commuter buses or slugging rather than driving alone every day.

If you'd prefer to live on a base, there is no housing at the Pentagon. The usual options are Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Southwest DC and Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. For moves to Maryland, I'll connect you with a trusted Maryland referral partner.

More detail on each area is in the Northern Virginia neighborhood guide.

Budget: BAH and the real monthly cost

Start with your BAH. Look up your rate with the DoD BAH calculator and compare it with the full monthly cost of ownership. My post on making the most of your BAH goes deeper.
Count transit and parking. A closer home with a Metro commute can offset part of a higher mortgage payment. A longer drive adds tolls, gas and time.
Price in taxes, insurance and HOA or condo fees. Condo fees in Arlington and Alexandria can be significant, so compare the total payment, not just the price.
Use your VA loan strategically. See VA loan closing costs in Northern Virginia.
Think about your next set of orders. Many Pentagon tours are two or three years. Condos and townhomes near Metro tend to rent well if you keep the home. See renting vs. buying for military families.

Schools

Arlington, the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County each run their own school system. Arlington Public Schools has neighborhood schools plus county-wide options, including immersion, Montessori and other programs, with a lottery for transfers. The JBMHH School Liaison Office (listed below) is a great first call. See researching Northern Virginia schools from afar.

Key contacts

JBAB Housing

— Housing Services Center, 21 MacDill Blvd., Washington, D.C. 20032 — PH: (202) 284-3506

Bolling Family Housing

— Privatized Housing, 8660 Angell St., Washington, D.C. 20032 — PH: (202) 747-6762

Liberty Park at Andrews

— Housing Office, 2097 San Antonio Blvd., Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762 — PH: (866) 944-7504

Military & Family Readiness Center

— Pentagon, 1565 AF Pentagon, Room 5C1049, Washington, DC 20330 — PH: (703) 693-9460

JBMHH School Liaison Office

— 102 Custer Rd., Bldg. 203, Fort Myer, VA 22211 — PH: (703) 696-7620

Note: Most installation services will be available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. As always, call first to confirm hours and availability of services.

Helpful hint: Contact these offices early in the week during the morning time.

How I help Pentagon families

A clear conversation about your commute, house and budget priorities before we tour anything
Rush-hour commute checks, by car and by Metro, for the specific homes you're considering
Video tours and remote-buying support when you can't be here
VA loan guidance, with offers structured to compete in close-in neighborhoods

Assigned to the Pentagon? Tell me your report date and your building, and I'll help you narrow down where to look. Call or text 571-296-2312 or email heidi@heidirobbins.realtor.

Frequently asked questions

Is there housing at the Pentagon?

No. Service members who want to live on a base usually choose Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in DC or Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Most Pentagon families live off post in Arlington, Alexandria or Fairfax County.

What's the best Metro line for the Pentagon?

The Blue and Yellow lines stop at the Pentagon station. North Arlington's Orange and Silver lines connect to the Blue line.

Where can I get the most house within a reasonable commute?

Many families look at South Arlington, Kingstowne, Springfield or Fort Hunt/Mount Vernon. Each offers more space than North Arlington and a manageable commute by car or Metro.

Is Woodbridge or Stafford realistic for a Pentagon assignment?

Yes, if you plan around VRE, commuter buses or slugging. Driving alone north at rush hour is long and hard to predict.

Do all Pentagon assignments report to the Pentagon building?

No. Many report to offices in Crystal City, and some report to offices in DC or at other installations. Confirm your building before you choose a neighborhood.

Last reviewed: September 2026