Moving to Fort Carson
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Fort Carson, on the south side of Colorado Springs, is home to the 4th Infantry Division at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. PCSing families settle in Fountain, south Colorado Springs, or Security-Widefield, in a market where strong outdoor lifestyle appeal has pushed prices above the national average.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Should you live on base or off base at Fort Carson?
On-post housing through Balfour Beatty Communities stays in demand given rising area prices. Off-post, Fountain sits closest to the gate and is the most affordable, south Colorado Springs offers the widest range, and Security-Widefield falls in between. Prices have climbed with the region’s popularity, so buying takes a bigger allowance or dual income than at lower-cost posts.
Where do military families live near Fort Carson?
Families PCSing to Fort Carson most often settle in Fountain, South Colorado Springs, Security-Widefield. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain | $1,600-$2,200 | $350k-$460k | 5-15 min | Closest town to the gate and the most affordable; heavy military presence. |
| South Colorado Springs | $1,700-$2,400 | $380k-$520k | 15-30 min | Widest range of housing and amenities; longer but manageable commute. |
| Security-Widefield | $1,650-$2,250 | $360k-$480k | 10-20 min | Mid-priced established neighborhoods between the base and the city. |
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 Fort Carson?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Fort Carson is set by the CO046 (Colorado Springs, CO) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,358 | $1,860 |
| E-7 | $2,487 | $2,166 |
| O-3 | $2,595 | $2,397 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
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Get my free quotesWhat schools are near Fort Carson?
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain-Fort Carson High School | High | Fountain-Fort Carson District 8 | Fountain |
| Carson Middle School | Middle | Fountain-Fort Carson District 8 | Fort Carson |
| Weikel Elementary | Elementary | Fountain-Fort Carson District 8 | Fort Carson |
Fort Carson PCS FAQ
Is housing expensive near Fort Carson?
Prices run above the national average. Colorado Springs has grown popular for its outdoor lifestyle and mountain access, which has pushed home prices up over the past decade. Fountain, right next to the gate, remains the most affordable option, while buying elsewhere in the metro usually takes a larger allowance or a dual income.
What town is closest to Fort Carson?
Fountain is the closest town to the main gate, a 5 to 15 minute drive, and is both the most affordable and the most military-heavy area near the base. Security-Widefield sits just north with mid-priced established neighborhoods, and south Colorado Springs offers the widest range of housing and amenities.
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