Fort Benning
Columbus, Georgia · Army · Formerly Fort Moore (2023–2025)
Fort Benning is the Home of the Infantry and Armor — the Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence, training tens of thousands of soldiers annually.
Fort Benning sits in one of the most affordable housing markets of any large Army installation. E-5 with dependents at $1,716/month has a significant surplus over median rent, and the median home price keeps VA loan homeownership well within reach.
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Showing E-5 with dependents for the Fort Benning, GA MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$1,716/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$1,100/mo
Zillow / Zumper 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$616/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $616/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$230,000
Redfin / Zillow 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$1,500–$1,700/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~1.0% property tax + insurance
At $1,716/month BAH and an estimated $1,500–$1,700/month PITI on a median-priced home, BAH may cover a significant portion of a typical mortgage in this market — though actual costs vary based on rate, taxes, insurance, and individual circumstances.
Housing cost estimates are approximate and based on publicly available market data. Actual mortgage costs depend on interest rate, property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, maintenance, credit profile, and lender requirements. This is not financial advice — use these numbers as a starting point for your own research.
How This Market Compares
Fort Benning BAH for E-5 with dependents is $345/mo below the national average — but Columbus housing costs run roughly 20–22% below the national median — your BAH gives you significantly more purchasing power here than the national average.
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$1,716/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
-$345/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Fort Benning, GA
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $1,635/mo·E-5 w/dep: $1,716/mo·E-6 w/dep: $1,977/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $1,635 | $1,362 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,635 | $1,362 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,635 | $1,362 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,635 | $1,362 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $1,716 | $1,482 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $1,977 | $1,557 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,004 | $1,635 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,037 | $1,773 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,121 | $1,842 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $1,995 | $1,623 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,016 | $1,770 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,061 | $1,854 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,148 | $1,977 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,262 | $2,010 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,007 | $1,713 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,049 | $1,827 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,166 | $1,968 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $1,755 | $1,554 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $1,974 | $1,692 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,058 | $1,878 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,295 | $1,998 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $2,469 | $2,013 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $2,487 | $2,034 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $2,502 | $2,067 |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
Local cost of living context
Overall cost of living is roughly roughly 20–22% below the national average.
Georgia taxes military pay at up to 5.75%. However, active-duty pay earned outside Georgia may be partially exempt depending on domicile. BAH and BAS remain tax-free.
What to know before you move
Columbus is affordable, but neighborhood quality varies dramatically. Areas very close to the gates tend to have older housing and lower school ratings. Families who look 15–20 minutes north into North Columbus or across the river into Phenix City, AL find newer homes, better schools, and still stay well within BAH.
Housing data is approximate and provided for informational and educational purposes only. Median rents and home prices reflect market estimates at time of publication and may not reflect current conditions. School ratings are sourced from third-party services and reflect their methodology. MilPayTools does not endorse specific neighborhoods, properties, landlords, or housing decisions. Always verify figures independently and consult with a qualified professional before making financial commitments.
What to do next
BAH is the starting point. Here are the calculations that matter most for your PCS decision.
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Data Source & Disclaimer
BAH rates are from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) 2026 BAH data, effective January 1, 2026. Rates are set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not individual ZIP code — all ZIPs in the same MHA receive identical rates. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with DoD, DTMO, or any government agency. Verify your entitlement at travel.dod.mil.