Fort Hood
Killeen, Texas · Army · Formerly Fort Cavazos (2023–2025)
Home of III Armored Corps and the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood is one of the largest military installations in the world with over 45,000 assigned service members.
Fort Hood is one of the most affordable large Army installations in the country. Killeen's housing market runs well below the national average — E-5 with dependents has $445/month of room between BAH and median rent. That surplus is one of the reasons homeownership rates among Fort Hood families are high.
Check your rate
Select your rank and dependent status below
See what it buys
Compare your BAH to local rent and mortgage costs
Plan your move
Compare stations or estimate PCS costs
Showing E-5 with dependents for the Fort Hood, TX MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$1,695/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$1,250/mo
Zillow / Zumper 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$445/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $445/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$227,000
Zillow 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$1,450–$1,600/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~1.8% property tax + insurance
At $1,695/month BAH and an estimated $1,450–$1,600/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 Hood BAH for E-5 with dependents is $366/mo below the national average — but Killeen housing costs run roughly 8–10% below the national median — your purchasing power here stretches further than the raw BAH number suggests.
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$1,695/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
-$366/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Fort Hood, TX
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $1,662/mo·E-5 w/dep: $1,695/mo·E-6 w/dep: $1,920/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $1,662 | $1,374 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,662 | $1,374 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,662 | $1,374 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,662 | $1,374 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $1,695 | $1,530 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $1,920 | $1,626 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,070 | $1,668 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,238 | $1,746 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,409 | $1,806 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $1,938 | $1,665 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,139 | $1,743 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,346 | $1,812 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,433 | $1,950 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,544 | $2,109 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,100 | $1,692 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,313 | $1,788 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,451 | $1,908 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $1,731 | $1,623 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $1,917 | $1,689 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,340 | $1,833 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,577 | $2,076 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $2,748 | $2,169 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $2,769 | $2,325 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $2,787 | $2,361 |
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 8–10% below the national average.
Texas has no state income tax on military pay, meaning your BAH, base pay, and special pays go further here than in high-tax states.
What to know before you move
Many families PCSing to Fort Hood sign a lease before learning the area. Killeen neighborhoods vary dramatically in quality — South Killeen and areas near the gates tend to be older and less maintained, while Harker Heights and Nolanville offer better schools and newer homes for similar or slightly higher rent. E-5 with dependents at $1,695/month can rent a solid 3-bedroom and still have room in the budget.
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.
Compare Fort Hood to another duty station→Get notified when 2027 BAH rates update for Fort Hood
Updates when rates change. No spam.
We'll only email you when official rates change or new tools launch. Unsubscribe anytime.
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.