Fort Drum 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 $1,665 for an E-5 with dependents, a $891/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort Drum is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort Drum | Joint Base Lewis-McChord | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Joint |
| Location | Watertown, NY | Tacoma, WA |
| Personnel | 19,000+ | 49,000+ |
| Cost of living | Low | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,665 | $2,556 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,103 | $2,994 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,469 | $3,123 |
| Typical home price | $150k-$240k | $450k-$620k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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