Many neighborhoods are a five-to-fifteen-minute drive, among the shorter commutes in St. Mary's County, depending on the gate and traffic. Here are all three gates and their hours.
Home Buyer's Guide · Lexington Park · Home of NAS Patuxent River
Lexington Park is where St. Mary's County meets the Navy. It sits right outside the gates of NAS Patuxent River, so drives to the gates are short, and its Census median home value ($309,700, 2020 to 2024 estimate) is below the county's ($407,600). Here's what buyers should know before moving to Lexington Park.
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You'll find single-family homes, townhomes, and plenty of rental communities, generally at a lower price point than nearby Leonardtown or California. That makes Lexington Park a natural starter-home market and a popular place for investors, since fewer than half of homes here are owner-occupied. Ask me for current prices on the streets you're considering, since they shift quickly here.
Many buyers here use VA loans with 0% down. Others use FHA or conventional loans. Beyond the price, plan for St. Mary's closing costs: a 1% county transfer tax (the first $30,000 is exempt for a home you'll live in), $4.00 per $500 in recordation tax, and the state transfer tax. Budget past your BAH for property taxes, insurance, and any HOA. The county rate is $0.8478 per $100 of assessed value. Walk through it in my VA buyer checklist.
All three Pax River gates come off Route 235 (Three Notch Road):
Many Lexington Park neighborhoods are a five- to fifteen-minute drive from a gate, among the shorter commutes in the county, depending on the gate and traffic. It's about 20 to 30 minutes to Leonardtown and roughly an hour to Waldorf and the DC suburbs.
Living next to an air station means aircraft noise. In August 2026 the Navy released an updated AICUZ study mapping noise levels and accident potential zones around the base. It's advisory and doesn't change zoning, but it's worth checking for any address you're considering, and worth visiting at different times of day. Read what the 2026 AICUZ study means for St. Mary's homes.
Lexington Park is served by St. Mary's County Public Schools, with Great Mills High School serving much of the area. Elementary and middle school assignments depend on the exact address. Here's how to check any home's schools. St. Mary's College of Maryland is a short drive south in St. Mary's City.
Life here runs along Route 235 and Great Mills Road, the main corridors for shopping, dining, and errands. The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum is worth a visit even if you're not in uniform, John G. Lancaster Park has fields and trails, and the United States Colored Troops Memorial honors local Civil War history. It's a practical, convenient town more than a picturesque one.
With fewer than half of homes owner-occupied, Lexington Park has a large rental market near the base. That's why so many owners keep their homes as rentals when they PCS. If that's your plan, read renting out your home when you PCS and my St. Mary's investing guide.
Ready to look? Tell me your gate, your budget, and your timeline. Military buyers should also read my PCS home buying guide.
If you'd rather have a walkable downtown or more land, look at Leonardtown, Hollywood, or Mechanicsville.
The full plan is in my PCS home buying guide.
| Lexington Park | California | Great Mills | Leonardtown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive to Pax River | Short, depending on gate | Short, near Gate 1 | Short, near Gate 2 | About 20 to 30 minutes |
| Price point | Generally lowest | Moderate | Moderate | Varies; compare recent sales |
| Known for | Commute, value, investors | Shopping, newer homes | Established neighborhoods | Walkability, character |
Many buyers here are connected to the base, and some are shopping from another duty station. That changes how you sell. Put your drive time to the nearest gate in the listing, make the home VA-appraisal-ready by fixing small safety items, and invest in photos and a walkthrough video that let an out-of-state buyer decide from a screen. List so you're show-ready in late spring and summer, when PCS buyers are most active. Read 5 ways to sell your St. Mary's County home faster, or start with a free home valuation.
Sources: U.S. Census QuickFacts: Lexington Park · Military OneSource: NAS Patuxent River · NAS Patuxent River base access · SMCPS: About Us · Maryland DLS 2026 county tax rates · Gordon Feinblatt on Maryland transfer taxes. Checked October 2026; rules and rates change, so confirm anything that affects your decision.
Many neighborhoods are a five-to-fifteen-minute drive, among the shorter commutes in St. Mary's County, depending on the gate and traffic. Here are all three gates and their hours.
Great Mills High School serves much of the area; verify your specific address against the current St. Mary's County Public Schools boundary map. Check any address with my guide to St. Mary's County school zones.
Yes, with planning. Get preapproved with a VA-experienced lender as soon as you have orders, and pick your gate before you pick a neighborhood. Use my PCS buyer checklist to plan your timeline.
Lexington Park's Census median home value is lower than the county's, though prices vary by street. The Census median home value is $309,700 (2020 to 2024 estimate), but ask me for current prices. See what it costs to buy.
Yes, it's next to an active air station. Check the 2026 AICUZ maps for any address and visit at different times of day. See jet noise and AICUZ.
BAH, on-base vs. off-base, VA loans, and neighborhood picks, all in one guide.
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