Compare two bases

Fort Carson vs Fort Bliss

An E-5 with dependents gets $549 more BAH a month at Fort Carson ($2,358 at Fort Carson, $1,809 at Fort Bliss). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $737 at Fort Carson and $663 at Fort Bliss. The two are about 488 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
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Army · COFort Carson
Army · TXFort Bliss
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$2,358
$1,809
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$1,621
$1,146
Left after rent each month
$737
$663
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
79
62
Housing cost index
82
55
Groceries index
82
65
Schools nearby (our count)
89 Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, Harrison School District 2
72 Ysleta ISD, El Paso ISD
On-base services listed
16
16
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 488 milesStraight line. Estimate your move money.

Both are Army 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 comparisonFort Carson BAH vs rentFort Bliss 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 Carson or Fort Bliss?

Which pays more BAH, Fort Carson or Fort Bliss?

For an E-5 with dependents, Fort Carson pays more: $2,358 a month against $1,809, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Fort Carson or Fort Bliss?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $1,621 near Fort Carson and $1,146 near Fort Bliss (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Fort Carson and Fort Bliss?

About 488 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.