Fort Carson vs Joint Base Lewis-McChord
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord has the higher housing allowance ($2,556 vs $2,358 for an E-5 with dependents, a $198/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort Carson is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort Carson | Joint Base Lewis-McChord | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Joint |
| Location | Colorado Springs, CO | Tacoma, WA |
| Personnel | 37,000+ | 49,000+ |
| Cost of living | Moderate | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,358 | $2,556 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,487 | $2,994 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,595 | $3,123 |
| Typical home price | $350k-$460k | $450k-$620k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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