Fort Bragg
Fayetteville, North Carolina · Army · Formerly Fort Liberty (2023–2025)
Home of the 82nd Airborne and USASOC — the largest installation by population with over 50,000 active-duty soldiers.
An E-5 with dependents at Fort Bragg receives $1,806/month in tax-free BAH. Fayetteville's median 3-bedroom rent is approximately $1,300/month — a difference of about $506/month before utilities and other housing costs. (Rental data: Zillow / RentCafe 2025–2026)
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Showing E-5 with dependents for the Fort Bragg/Pope, NC MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$1,806/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$1,300/mo
Zillow / RentCafe 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$506/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $506/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$240,000
Redfin Feb 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$1,550–$1,650/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~1.0% property tax + insurance
At $1,806/month BAH and an estimated $1,550–$1,650/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 Bragg BAH for E-5 with dependents is $255/mo below the national average — but Fayetteville's cost of living is approximately 6–10% below the national average. (Cost of living data: BestPlaces 2025–2026)
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$1,806/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
-$255/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Fort Bragg/Pope, NC
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $1,722/mo·E-5 w/dep: $1,806/mo·E-6 w/dep: $2,049/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $1,722 | $1,341 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,722 | $1,341 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,722 | $1,341 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,722 | $1,341 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $1,806 | $1,527 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,049 | $1,638 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,094 | $1,722 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,142 | $1,860 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,244 | $1,923 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,067 | $1,707 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,112 | $1,857 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,178 | $1,935 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,271 | $2,052 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,391 | $2,103 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,097 | $1,803 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,166 | $1,908 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,289 | $2,040 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $1,842 | $1,635 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,046 | $1,782 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,175 | $1,956 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,427 | $2,088 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $2,610 | $2,109 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $2,628 | $2,154 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $2,646 | $2,190 |
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 6–10% below the national average.
Groceries run about 5–8% below national average.
For North Carolina residents, military base pay is generally subject to NC income tax. BAH and BAS are not taxable income at the federal or state level. Domicile and residency rules may affect your state tax situation.
What to know before you move
Rental prices in the Fayetteville area vary significantly by neighborhood. Within a 20-minute commute radius of Fort Bragg, monthly rent for a comparable 3-bedroom home can differ by $400 or more depending on the area. Comparing multiple neighborhoods before signing a lease gives families a clearer picture of the local market. (Rental data: Zillow / RentCafe 2025–2026)
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.