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This is one of the top three most expensive areas in the country for cost of living. Plan for high-cost outlay when you first get here for deposits. Utilities, housing, car insurance and other associated living costs may be higher than you are used to. Some report that Boston is twice the national average.
This is one of the top three areas in the country for cost of living. Utilities, housing, car insurance and other associated living costs will probably be higher than you are used to. Please prepare financially for your move here.
Base personnel live in six states, so the housing research area is wide. From October to April expect black ice or snow/ice. Good windshield wipers, plenty of windshield wiper fluid, and a full tank of gas are critical. Watch for moose, deer and other wildlife in the roads from dusk to dawn.
Housing most likely will be much more expensive and difficult to find; Two-bedroom apartments start at $2500+ per month. Utilities may be more expensive than what you are used to. Childcare off-base is also extremely expensive ($350-$600 per week) and difficult to secure. Please contact the CDC or Family Child Care (FCC) in advance to get on their wait list or visit MilitaryChildCare.com to fill out an online application for care.
There are no longer any lodging facilities on base.
Visit these "Wi-Fi" locations if you need internet connectivity while settling in: Military and Family Readiness Center, Education Center, Bowling Center, Hanscom Conference Center.
Passports and Visas
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential, members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
May to Sept brings a wide range of temperatures, from the 50’s in May to 90+ in August. It can also be very humid. (This is why we enjoy the ocean and the many lakes/rivers!) During this time be prepared for seasonal allergies (mold, pollen, etc.). We have a pretty short growing season. Mosquitoes & ticks (active in temps over 40 degrees) are problematic, so pets (and you) should be protected. Ticks are found in tall grasses, so check everyone over after outdoor activities. It helps to wear light colored clothing. Protect yourself and family members between dusk to dawn from mosquitoes (stay indoors or check out many of the over the counter products).
Visit these "Wi-Fi" Hot Spots if you need internet connectivity while settling in:
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included.
At Hanscom Air Force Base, we acquire critical warfighting systems for the Air Force and our sister services. These systems provide the connectivity for and between our warfighters with items such as radar, communication and intelligence systems, command and operations centers and network infrastructure and cyber defense. It's critical work that helps our men and women in uniform prevail in battle and return home safely.
LG Hanscom Field was built in 1941, and served originally as a training base for P-40 Warhawk pilots bound for North Africa. The base soon took on the air defense of Boston as an additional mission. By the 1950's, the Army Air Force and MIT were coordinating early computer and electronics research. The base's operational mission diminished, while its role in the development of air defense systems grew. Today acquisitions excellence is Hanscom's primary mission. Hanscom is currently an Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for AFMC, comprising the Battle Management and C3I&N Directorates and the 66th Air Base Group. For more history visit Hanscom's homepage.
Hanscom serves 125,000 people in a seven state region with over 300 GSU's.
6,689,326 in Boston
Population of towns that surround Hanscom AFB:
14,383 in Bedford
7,014 in Lincoln
35,066 in Lexington
118,184 in Concord
Hanscom AFB provides operating support and quality of life, medical, civil engineering, personnel, logistics, safety, security and all other services to the Digital Directorate and C3I&N Directorates in the AFLCMC, MIT Lincoln Labs, and other tenant groups. Hanscom supports service members and families from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. We have almost an equal number of officers and enlisted personnel. Hanscom serves 125,000 people in a seven state region with over 300 GSU's.
Hanscom AFB is in Middlesex County, MA, and touches the towns of Bedford, Concord, Lincoln and Lexington - the birthplace of America. Hanscom is approximately 20 miles northwest of Boston, MA; 25 miles south of Nashua, New Hampshire; and 85 miles from Portland, Maine. Hanscom is about 4 hours from New York City. This fabulous area offers an amazing array of outdoor activities, city culture, arts and history. It is also very family friendly.
From Logan Airport, Boston
Start out going Northwest toward Terminal C. Stay straight to go onto ramp, and continue straight onto ramp for MA 1A-south (McClellan Highway, East Boston Expressway - toll). Turn slight left to take the ramp towards I-93 North/Government Center. Merge onto I-93 North. Stay on I-93 to Exit I-95 S/Rte 128 toward Waltham. Stay on I-95 South till Exit 49B, toward Bedford. Take ramp to the right onto Rte 4/225/Bedford St. Stay in the right lane; you will see signs for Hanscom AFB.
One-half mile ahead on Rte 4/225, you will come to a jughandle turn (turn right to go left). Take the jughandle turn, which brings you onto Hartwell Avenue at a set of lights. Go straight through the light onto Hartwell Ave. Hanscom AFB is one mile ahead. You will be entering the Ruiz Gate.
(Current as of March 2025)
From Points West
Take Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90 East - a toll road) to I-95/128 North until Exit 49B (on other side of overpass toward Bedford). This is Rte. 4/225. Follow about 1/2 mile. There will be a jug handle turn located just past the Massachusetts Army Guard Building on the right. Take the jug handle and stay to the right through the lights. This is Hartwell Avenue. Follow Hartwell all the way to the Hanscom AFB gate.
From Points South
Take I-95 North or the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90 East - a toll road) to I-95/128 North until Exit 49B (on other side of overpass toward Bedford). This is Rte. 4/225. Follow about 1/2 mile. There will be a jug handle turn located just past the Massachusetts Army Guard Building on the right. Take the jug handle and stay to the right through the lights. This is Hartwell Avenue. Follow Hartwell all the way to the Hanscom AFB gate.
From Points North
Take I-95 South to Exit 49B (Rte. 4/225 toward Bedford, MA) Follow about a half mile. There will be a jug handle turn located just past the Massachusetts Army Guard Building on the right. Take the jug handle and stay to the right through the lights. This is Hartwell Avenue. Follow Hartwell all the way to the Hanscom AFB gate.
Important Note
You will see signs for Hanscom Field, Rte. 2A, Concord, before you get to EXIT 49B. If it is after 10p.m. the Route 2A, Ruiz Gate will be closed. Proceed to Exit 46B and the Hartwell Ave entrance. One-half mile ahead on Rte. 4/225 you will come to a jug handle (right turn used to make a left turn) onto Hartwell Ave. At the jug handle and go straight through the light. Hanscom is one mile ahead.
Individuals who do not have a DoD ID card must be sponsored on the base; usually by a supervisor or sponsor. For more information and instructions contact the Hanscom Visitor’s Center. Address: Building 1617, Old Bedford Rd, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731 or call 781-225-6642.
Hanscom is a "walking base." It is small and compact. During pleasant weather, residents and employees are commonly seen walking or jogging outdoors.
Hanscom employees interested in carpooling have several options. The Ride Matching program, run by the Environmental office, pairs employees with similar work schedules to facilitate carpooling. Vanpools are also available for larger commuter groups.
Additionally, employees using public transportation may qualify for the Transportation Incentive Program, a Department of Defense program that provides financial incentives to employees to encourage commuting by mass transportation. For interested carpooling or TIP, call 781-225-6151.
There is no base operator at Hanscom AFB. Please call 781-225-2765 or visit HAFB_quick reference phone listing_February_2024.pdf