Moving to Fort Benning
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Columbus, Georgia.
Also known as: Fort Moore
Fort Benning, on the Georgia-Alabama line at Columbus, is the Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence and home of the Infantry and Armor schools. Families PCSing here settle in north Columbus, Harris County, or across the river in Phenix City, Alabama, where low home prices make buying with a VA loan common.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-post housing through Villages of Benning has broad inventory with waitlists on larger homes. Off-post, north Columbus and Harris County draw families for schools, midtown Columbus offers the most rentals near the gate, and Phenix City on the Alabama side has the lowest prices. Low costs make buying realistic for most ranks.
Where military families live near Fort Benning
Families PCSing to Fort Benning most often settle in North Columbus / Harris County, Midtown Columbus, Phenix City, AL. The table below shows typical rents, home prices, and drive time to the gate for each.
| Area | 3-bed rent | Home prices | To gate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Columbus / Harris County | $1,200-$1,700 | $230k-$340k | 15-25 min | Newer subdivisions and the best-regarded schools; the family favorite. |
| Midtown Columbus | $1,100-$1,550 | $160k-$250k | 10-20 min | Most rental inventory and the shortest commute to the main gate. |
| Phenix City, AL | $1,050-$1,500 | $170k-$260k | 10-20 min | Lowest prices in the area, just across the river in Alabama. |
2026 BAH near Fort Benning
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Fort Benning is set by the GA075 (Fort Benning, GA) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,716 | $1,482 |
| E-7 | $2,004 | $1,635 |
| O-3 | $2,058 | $1,878 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Fort Benning
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harris County High School | High | Harris County Schools | Hamilton |
| Blackmon Road Middle School | Middle | Muscogee County Schools | Columbus |
| Double Churches Elementary | Elementary | Muscogee County Schools | Columbus |
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Get my free quotesFort Benning PCS FAQ
Should I live on the Georgia or Alabama side of Fort Benning?
Both work. North Columbus and Harris County on the Georgia side have the newest housing and best-regarded schools, which is why most families choose them. Phenix City, Alabama, just across the river, offers the lowest home prices in the area. The choice usually comes down to schools versus price.
Is Columbus affordable for soldiers at Fort Benning?
Yes. The Columbus metro has home prices well below the national average, so buying with a VA loan is realistic even for junior enlisted soldiers. The steady flow of troops through the Infantry and Armor schools keeps rental demand high, so many families buy and later rent the home out after they PCS.
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