Camp Pendleton vs Joint Base Lewis-McChord
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Camp Pendleton has the higher housing allowance ($3,963 vs $2,556 for an E-5 with dependents, a $1,407/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Camp Pendleton | Joint Base Lewis-McChord | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Marine Corps | Joint |
| Location | Oceanside, CA | Tacoma, WA |
| Personnel | 42,000+ | 49,000+ |
| Cost of living | Very high | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $3,963 | $2,556 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $4,494 | $2,994 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $4,659 | $3,123 |
| Typical home price | $700k-$950k | $450k-$620k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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