Army Baltimore metro / Harford County

Moving to Aberdeen Proving Ground

Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Aberdeen, Maryland.

Also known as: APG

$2,478 E-5 BAH / month
Branch
Army
Personnel
21,000 +
Nearest city
Aberdeen, MD
Cost of living
High

Aberdeen Proving Ground, on the Chesapeake Bay northeast of Baltimore, is one of the Army’s oldest research, development, and testing installations, home to the Army Research Laboratory and major materiel commands. Families PCSing here settle in Bel Air, Aberdeen, or Abingdon, in a Harford County market with strong schools and reach into the Baltimore metro.

Last updated: 2026-07-19

Should you live on base or off base at Aberdeen Proving Ground?

On-post housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-post, Bel Air is the family favorite for its top Harford County schools, Aberdeen and Havre de Grace sit closest to the gate along the bay, and Abingdon offers newer suburban homes. Harford County is more affordable than the inner Baltimore-D.C. corridor, so buying with a VA loan is common.

Where do military families live near Aberdeen Proving Ground?

Families PCSing to Aberdeen Proving Ground most often settle in Bel Air, Aberdeen / Havre de Grace, Abingdon. The table below shows typical rents, home prices, and drive time to the gate for each.

Area3-bed rentHome pricesTo gateNotes
Bel Air $1,700-$2,300 $350k-$490k 15-25 min Top Harford County schools; the family favorite.
Aberdeen / Havre de Grace $1,600-$2,100 $300k-$420k 5-15 min Closest to the gate along the Chesapeake Bay.
Abingdon $1,700-$2,300 $340k-$470k 15-25 min Newer suburban homes with a range of prices.

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 Aberdeen Proving Ground?

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Aberdeen Proving Ground is set by the MD127 (Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.

Pay gradeWith dependentsWithout dependents
E-5 $2,478 $1,986
E-7 $2,862 $2,274
O-3 $3,072 $2,643

Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.

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What schools are near Aberdeen Proving Ground?

SchoolLevelDistrictTown
C. Milton Wright High School High Harford County Public Schools Bel Air
Bel Air High School High Harford County Public Schools Bel Air
Bakerfield Elementary Elementary Harford County Public Schools Aberdeen

Aberdeen Proving Ground PCS FAQ

Where do most families live near Aberdeen Proving Ground?

Bel Air is the family favorite for its top Harford County schools, about 15 to 25 minutes from the gate. Aberdeen and Havre de Grace sit closest along the Chesapeake Bay. Abingdon offers newer suburban homes. Harford County is more affordable than the inner Baltimore-D.C. corridor, so many families buy.

Is Aberdeen close to Baltimore?

Yes. Aberdeen Proving Ground sits about 30 miles northeast of Baltimore along I-95, roughly a 40-minute drive. Families get Harford County’s more affordable housing and strong schools while still being able to reach Baltimore, and even the D.C. area, for jobs and amenities.

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