Fort Carson vs Fort Riley
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Fort Carson has the higher housing allowance ($2,358 vs $1,314 for an E-5 with dependents, a $1,044/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort Riley is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort Carson | Fort Riley | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Army |
| Location | Colorado Springs, CO | Junction City, KS |
| Personnel | 37,000+ | 24,000+ |
| Cost of living | Moderate | Low |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,358 | $1,314 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,487 | $1,845 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,595 | $1,953 |
| Typical home price | $350k-$460k | $160k-$240k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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