Fort Benning vs Fort Jackson
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Fort Jackson has the higher housing allowance ($1,878 vs $1,716 for an E-5 with dependents, a $162/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort Benning is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort Benning | Fort Jackson | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Army |
| Location | Columbus, GA | Columbia, SC |
| Personnel | 40,000+ | 12,000+ |
| Cost of living | Moderate | Moderate |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,716 | $1,878 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,004 | $2,160 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,058 | $2,232 |
| Typical home price | $230k-$340k | $220k-$330k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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