Compare two bases

Fort Benning vs Fort Meade

An E-5 with dependents gets $1,185 more BAH a month at Fort Meade ($1,716 at Fort Benning, $2,901 at Fort Meade). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $504 at Fort Benning and $895 at Fort Meade. The two are about 656 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
Swap sides
Army · GAFort Benning
Army · MDFort Meade
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$1,716
$2,901
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$1,212
$2,006
Left after rent each month
$504
$895
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
61
90
Housing cost index
54
95
Groceries index
62
95
Schools nearby (our count)
48 Muscogee County School District, Lee County School District
62 Anne Arundel County Public Schools
On-base services listed
16
16
On-base housing wait (our estimate, call the housing office)
About 5 mo Family housing on base
About 5 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 656 milesStraight line. Estimate your move money.

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 comparisonFort Benning BAH vs rentFort Meade BAH vs rent
Compare different bases

Try another pair

CompareFort Bragg vs Fort CampbellE-5 BAH $1,806 vs $1,815 CompareJoint Base Lewis-McChord vs Fort CarsonE-5 BAH $2,556 vs $2,358 CompareFort Hood vs Fort BlissE-5 BAH $1,695 vs $1,809
FAQ

Fort Benning or Fort Meade?

Which pays more BAH, Fort Benning or Fort Meade?

For an E-5 with dependents, Fort Meade pays more: $2,901 a month against $1,716, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Fort Benning or Fort Meade?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $1,212 near Fort Benning and $2,006 near Fort Meade (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Fort Benning and Fort Meade?

About 656 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.