Moving to Joint Base Lewis-McChord
JBLM combines Army Fort Lewis and Air Force McChord Field south of Tacoma, along the I-5 corridor between Seattle and Olympia. It is a major deployment hub with rainy, mild weather, easy access to mountains and the Sound, and a lot of traffic.
| Branch | Joint (Army/Air Force) |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Tacoma / Lakewood, WA |
| Airports | Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), roughly 30 miles north |
| Climate | Mild and rainy; overcast skies are common from October through April, with winter highs in the 40s and summers in the 70s. |
| Cost of living | Above the US average, with no state income tax in Washington. |
| On-base housing | Liberty Military Housing (formerly Lincoln Military Housing), 22 on-post communities |
| Medical care | Madigan Army Medical Center |
| Family support center | Directorate of Personnel and Family Readiness (Army Community Service) |
Where families live
DuPont
Planned suburban community with many military families; rents run higher.
Lakewood
Closest city with the most apartments and mid-priced rentals.
Steilacoom
Small waterfront town with limited inventory that moves quickly.
Lacey
Smaller-town feel with parks and coffee shops, with heavy I-5 commute traffic.
Puyallup
Larger suburb with shopping and more family housing.
Schools
There are no DoDEA schools on JBLM; on-post elementary and middle schools are run by Clover Park School District, and high schoolers attend Clover Park or Lakes High School. Washington assigns schools by address, so choose your neighborhood with district boundaries in mind. The School Liaison Office can help.
- Clover Park School District — Serves Lakewood and on-post communities.
- Steilacoom Historical School District — Serves Steilacoom and nearby areas.
- North Thurston Public Schools — Serves Lacey and part of Olympia.
- Tacoma Public Schools — Serves Tacoma.
On the installation: Beachwood Elementary, Meriwether Elementary, Rainier Elementary, Hillside Elementary, Evergreen Elementary, Woodbrook Middle School
School Liaison Office: https://jblm.armymwr.com/programs/school-support-services
Things to do near Joint Base Lewis-McChord
- Mount Rainier National ParkoutdoorsHiking, wildflowers and views of the volcano, about an hour or two from post.
- Point Defiance Zoo & AquariumfamilyZoo and aquarium in Tacoma's large waterfront park.
- Museum of Glass / Chihuly Bridge of Glass area, TacomamuseumDowntown Tacoma's glass art attractions.
- LeMay - America's Car MuseummuseumA large automobile museum in Tacoma.
- Lewis Army MuseummuseumOn-post museum on the history of Fort Lewis.
- Pike Place Market and Seattle Aquariumday-tripSeattle waterfront attractions about 40 miles north.
- Snoqualmie FallsoutdoorsA well-known waterfall east of Seattle.
- Leavenworthday-tripBavarian-style village in the Cascades.
Realtors & local services
Want a realtor who knows Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
Tell us your report date, budget and whether you're buying or renting. We'll connect you with an agent who works with military families here.
Get matchedReal estate offices
- Blue Summit RealtyTacoma / South Sound, WAListed in a JBLM area guide.
- Phil Sharp HomesTacoma / South Sound, WAListed in a JBLM area guide.
- DuPont Realty and ManagementDuPont, WALocal realty and property management firm listed in the guide.
Movers, storage, pets & more
- JBLM Child and Youth ServiceschildcareJBLM
- DuPont Realty and Managementproperty managementDuPont, WA
Listings come from public sources and are not endorsed or vetted. Own a business that serves families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord? Claim or add a listing.
Local programs & support
- Fort Lewis Community Spouses' ClubCommunity group offering social events and scholarships for Lewis-area families.
- JBLM PCS Pay It Forward (Facebook group)Peer group where incoming families ask about housing, schools and neighborhoods.
PCS tips for Joint Base Lewis-McChord
- I-5 through Tacoma is a major bottleneck; southbound mornings can add 20-45 minutes, so living north of the base can ease traffic if your job allows.
- Contact Liberty Military Housing as soon as you have orders; only a minority of families get on-post homes, and waits can be weeks to months.
- Ask the Housing Services Office about the Rental Partnership Program for reduced deposits off post.
- Email the Installation Reception Center before reporting to confirm in-processing steps.
- Pack rain gear and plan for months of gray weather.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Pacific Northwest
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.