Compare two bases

Camp Lejeune vs Camp Pendleton

An E-5 with dependents gets $2,379 more BAH a month at Camp Pendleton ($1,584 at Camp Lejeune, $3,963 at Camp Pendleton). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $265 at Camp Lejeune and $1,140 at Camp Pendleton. The two are about 2,282 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
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Marines · NCMCB Camp Lejeune
Marines · CAMCB Camp Pendleton
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$1,584
$3,963
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$1,319
$2,823
Left after rent each month
$265
$1,140
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
71
106
Housing cost index
68
118
Groceries index
72
102
Schools nearby (our count)
48 Onslow County Schools
54 Oceanside Unified School District, Fallbrook Union School District
On-base services listed
16
17
On-base housing wait (our estimate, call the housing office)
About 5 mo Family housing on base
About 8 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 2,282 milesStraight line. Estimate your move money.

Both are Marines installations, so they often land on the same wish list or the same set of orders. Gold ticks mark the better number in each row. BAH from the DoD 2026 rate tables; confirm yours with the DoD BAH calculator.

Link to this comparisonCamp Lejeune BAH vs rentCamp Pendleton BAH vs rent
Compare different bases

Try another pair

CompareCamp Lejeune vs MCAS Cherry PointE-5 BAH $1,584 vs $1,851 CompareCamp Pendleton vs Twentynine PalmsE-5 BAH $3,963 vs $1,980
FAQ

Camp Lejeune or Camp Pendleton?

Which pays more BAH, Camp Lejeune or Camp Pendleton?

For an E-5 with dependents, Camp Pendleton pays more: $3,963 a month against $1,584, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Camp Lejeune or Camp Pendleton?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $1,319 near Camp Lejeune and $2,823 near Camp Pendleton (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton?

About 2,282 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.