Compare two bases

Camp Lejeune vs MCAS Cherry Point

An E-5 with dependents gets $267 more BAH a month at MCAS Cherry Point ($1,584 at Camp Lejeune, $1,851 at MCAS Cherry Point). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $265 at Camp Lejeune and $605 at MCAS Cherry Point. The two are about 30 miles apart in a straight line.

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Dependents
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Marines · NCMCB Camp Lejeune
Marines · NCMCAS Cherry Point
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$1,584
$1,851
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$1,319
$1,246
Left after rent each month
$265
$605
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
71
68
Housing cost index
68
65
Groceries index
72
68
Schools nearby (our count)
48 Onslow County Schools
22 Craven County Schools
On-base services listed
16
14
On-base housing wait (our estimate, call the housing office)
About 5 mo Family housing on base
About 3 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 30 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 rentMCAS Cherry Point BAH vs rent
Compare different bases

Try another pair

CompareCamp Lejeune vs Camp PendletonE-5 BAH $1,584 vs $3,963 CompareCamp Pendleton vs Twentynine PalmsE-5 BAH $3,963 vs $1,980
FAQ

Camp Lejeune or MCAS Cherry Point?

Which pays more BAH, Camp Lejeune or MCAS Cherry Point?

For an E-5 with dependents, MCAS Cherry Point pays more: $1,851 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 MCAS Cherry Point?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $1,319 near Camp Lejeune and $1,246 near MCAS Cherry Point (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Camp Lejeune and MCAS Cherry Point?

About 30 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.