Army
Watertown, New York
Est. 1908
Fort Drum
Home of the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum is one of the Army's most deployed installations. Located in northern New York near the Canadian border, winters are notoriously challenging.
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2026 BAH Rates — Fort Drum
Basic Allowance for Housing is tax-free. You keep any monthly surplus above your actual rent. Rates are estimated from local market data — verify exact figures at travel.dod.mil.
| Pay Grade | BAH w/ Dep | BAH w/o Dep | vs Avg Rent (E-5+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4 (Enlisted) | $1,638 | $1,404 | +$238 |
| E-5 (Enlisted) | $1,818 | $1,548 | +$418 |
| E-6 (Enlisted) | $1,962 | $1,674 | +$562 |
| E-7 (Enlisted) | $2,142 | $1,836 | +$742 |
| W-2 (Warrant) | $2,088 | $1,782 | +$688 |
| O-2E (Officer) | $2,178 | $1,782 | +$778 |
| O-3 (Officer) | $2,178 | $1,782 | +$778 |
Avg off-base rent in Watertown: $1,400/mo. Surplus/gap shown for E-5 base rate.
Housing Near Fort Drum
Average off-base rent
$1,400/mo
On-base housing
Available
On-base waitlist
3 months
Popular neighborhoods
Cost of Living Index (100 = national avg)
Housing
68
Utilities
72
Groceries
78
Transport
68
Healthcare
74
Off-Base Rent by Bedroom — Watertown
Approximate monthly rents near Fort Drum. The 2-bedroom figure is used as the BAH reference unit. Actual rents vary by neighborhood and availability.
Studio / 1BR
$1,025/mo
2 Bedrooms
$1,400/mo
BAH reference
3 Bedrooms
$1,900/mo
4 Bedrooms
$2,300/mo
Schools Near Fort Drum
Total nearby schools
22
School districts
Highly rated schools
Nearby Attractions
Childcare at Fort Drum
On-Base CDC
✓ Available
Pet Policies — Fort Drum
Pets Allowed in Housing
✓ Yes
Registration Required
Yes
Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Drum
What is the BAH rate at Fort Drum in 2026?
An E-5 with dependents stationed at Fort Drum receives an estimated BAH of $1,818/mo in 2026. Rates scale from roughly $1,386 (E-1) to $2,862 (O-6) with dependents. BAH is tax-free and you keep any surplus above your actual rent.
What is the average rent near Fort Drum?
The average off-base rent in the Watertown, New York area near Fort Drum is approximately $1,400/month. An E-5 with dependents would have a surplus of $418 vs. the average rent. Popular neighborhoods include Watertown, Carthage, Sackets Harbor.
Is on-base housing available at Fort Drum?
On-base housing is available at Fort Drum. The typical wait list is approximately 3 months. Many families choose to live off-base in nearby communities like Watertown and Carthage.
What is the cost of living near Fort Drum?
The overall cost of living near Fort Drum is rated "average" relative to the national average (100). Housing costs index at 68, groceries at 78, and healthcare at 74. Housing costs are below the national average, making this a relatively affordable assignment.
How many schools are near Fort Drum?
There are approximately 22 schools near Fort Drum. Nearby school districts include Watertown City School District, Carthage Central School District. Highly-rated schools in the area include Watertown High School and Indian River Central Schools.
What is the climate like at Fort Drum?
Fort Drum is located in Watertown, New York. Check local weather resources for current climate conditions.
What TRICARE region covers Fort Drum?
Check with your gaining unit or milConnect.dmdc.osd.mil for TRICARE enrollment information for Fort Drum.
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