Fort Drum
Watertown, New York · Army
Fort Drum is home to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), one of the most deployed divisions in the U.S. Army, located in upstate New York near the Canadian border.
Quick Facts
Location
Watertown, NY
Branch
Army
MHA
Fort Drum/Watertown, NY
E-5 w/dep BAH
$1,665/mo
State Tax
5.5% (New York)
2026 BAH Rates — Fort Drum/Watertown, NY
Monthly rates. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $1,569 | $1,356 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,569 | $1,356 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,569 | $1,356 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,569 | $1,356 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $1,665 | $1,422 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $1,893 | $1,476 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,103 | $1,578 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,331 | $1,749 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,526 | $1,896 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $1,914 | $1,548 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,196 | $1,713 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,478 | $1,899 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,544 | $1,938 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,631 | $2,154 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,145 | $1,662 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,436 | $1,827 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,559 | $1,920 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $1,701 | $1,470 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $1,890 | $1,638 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,469 | $1,902 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,655 | $2,115 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $2,784 | $2,244 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $2,805 | $2,457 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $2,823 | $2,496 |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
How This Market Compares
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$1,665/mo
National avg E-5 w/dep
$1,987/mo
vs. National avg
-$322/mo
Watertown is a small city with a tight rental market driven almost entirely by military demand. BAH typically covers rents, but selection is limited. Many families choose off-post in Carthage, Adams, or Lowville.
Key Insights for Fort Drum
An E-5 with dependents receives $1,665/month BAH — or $19,980/year — to cover housing costs in the Fort Drum/Watertown, NY area.
New York taxes military base pay at approximately 5.5%. BAH and BAS remain tax-free at the federal and state level.
BAH is designed to cover median rental costs — not average or premium rents. Members living in above-median housing pay the difference out of pocket; those in below-median housing keep the surplus.
Calculate Your Full Military Pay
BAH is one component. See your total compensation including base pay, BAS, and tax savings.
Nearby & Comparable Installations
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.