Fort Bliss vs Joint Base San Antonio
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Joint Base San Antonio has the higher housing allowance ($1,869 vs $1,809 for an E-5 with dependents, a $60/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort Bliss is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort Bliss | Joint Base San Antonio | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Joint |
| Location | El Paso, TX | San Antonio, TX |
| Personnel | 47,000+ | 80,000+ |
| Cost of living | Moderate | Moderate |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,809 | $1,869 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,172 | $2,112 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,202 | $2,127 |
| Typical home price | $180k-$270k | $230k-$340k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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