Fort Meade vs NAS Patuxent River
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Fort Meade has the higher housing allowance ($2,901 vs $2,406 for an E-5 with dependents, a $495/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. NAS Patuxent River is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort Meade | NAS Patuxent River | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Navy |
| Location | Odenton, MD | Lexington Park, MD |
| Personnel | 50,000+ | 22,000+ |
| Cost of living | High | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,901 | $2,406 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $3,327 | $2,625 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $3,411 | $2,769 |
| Typical home price | $400k-$560k | $300k-$420k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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