Army
Odenton, Maryland
Est. 1917
Fort Meade
Home to the NSA, US Cyber Command, and Defense Information Systems Agency, Fort Meade is the nation's premier intelligence and cyber installation, ideally located between Baltimore and DC.
Advertisement
2026 BAH Rates — Fort Meade
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) | $2,232 | $1,908 | +$332 |
| E-5 (Enlisted) | $2,466 | $2,106 | +$566 |
| E-6 (Enlisted) | $2,664 | $2,268 | +$764 |
| E-7 (Enlisted) | $2,916 | $2,484 | +$1,016 |
| W-2 (Warrant) | $2,844 | $2,430 | +$944 |
| O-2E (Officer) | $2,952 | $2,412 | +$1,052 |
| O-3 (Officer) | $2,952 | $2,412 | +$1,052 |
Avg off-base rent in Odenton: $1,900/mo. Surplus/gap shown for E-5 base rate.
Housing Near Fort Meade
Average off-base rent
$1,900/mo
On-base housing
Available
On-base waitlist
5 months
Popular neighborhoods
Cost of Living Index (100 = national avg)
Housing
95
Utilities
82
Groceries
95
Transport
88
Healthcare
92
Off-Base Rent by Bedroom — Odenton
Approximate monthly rents near Fort Meade. The 2-bedroom figure is used as the BAH reference unit. Actual rents vary by neighborhood and availability.
Studio / 1BR
$1,375/mo
2 Bedrooms
$1,900/mo
BAH reference
3 Bedrooms
$2,575/mo
4 Bedrooms
$3,125/mo
Schools Near Fort Meade
Total nearby schools
62
School districts
Highly rated schools
Nearby Attractions
Childcare at Fort Meade
On-Base CDC
✓ Available
Pet Policies — Fort Meade
Pets Allowed in Housing
✓ Yes
Registration Required
Yes
Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Meade
What is the BAH rate at Fort Meade in 2026?
An E-5 with dependents stationed at Fort Meade receives an estimated BAH of $2,466/mo in 2026. Rates scale from roughly $1,872 (E-1) to $3,888 (O-6) with dependents. BAH is tax-free and you keep any surplus above your actual rent.
What is the average rent near Fort Meade?
The average off-base rent in the Odenton, Maryland area near Fort Meade is approximately $1,900/month. An E-5 with dependents would have a surplus of $566 vs. the average rent. Popular neighborhoods include Odenton, Crofton, Laurel.
Is on-base housing available at Fort Meade?
On-base housing is available at Fort Meade. The typical wait list is approximately 5 months. Many families choose to live off-base in nearby communities like Odenton and Crofton.
What is the cost of living near Fort Meade?
The overall cost of living near Fort Meade is rated "average" relative to the national average (100). Housing costs index at 95, groceries at 95, and healthcare at 92. Housing costs are close to the national average.
How many schools are near Fort Meade?
There are approximately 62 schools near Fort Meade. Nearby school districts include Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Highly-rated schools in the area include Arundel High School and Meade High School.
What is the climate like at Fort Meade?
Fort Meade is located in Odenton, Maryland. Check local weather resources for current climate conditions.
What TRICARE region covers Fort Meade?
Check with your gaining unit or milConnect.dmdc.osd.mil for TRICARE enrollment information for Fort Meade.
Related Pages
Get the Full Interactive Experience
Use BaseReady's interactive tools — compare installations side-by-side, run BAH and PCS calculators, and filter by your exact pay grade.
View Fort Meade in App →Advertisement