Compare two bases

Joint Base Lewis-McChord vs Fort Carson

An E-5 with dependents gets $198 more BAH a month at Joint Base Lewis-McChord ($2,556 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, $2,358 at Fort Carson). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $492 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and $737 at Fort Carson. The two are about 1,066 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
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Army · WAJoint Base Lewis-McChord
Army · COFort Carson
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$2,556
$2,358
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$2,064
$1,621
Left after rent each month
$492
$737
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
91
79
Housing cost index
98
82
Groceries index
95
82
Schools nearby (our count)
72 Clover Park School District, Bethel School District
89 Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, Harrison School District 2
On-base services listed
16
16
On-base housing wait (our estimate, call the housing office)
About 6 mo Family housing on base
About 5 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 1,066 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 comparisonJoint Base Lewis-McChord BAH vs rentFort Carson BAH vs rent
Compare different bases

Try another pair

CompareFort Bragg vs Fort CampbellE-5 BAH $1,806 vs $1,815 CompareFort Hood vs Fort BlissE-5 BAH $1,695 vs $1,809 CompareFort Bragg vs Fort HoodE-5 BAH $1,806 vs $1,695
FAQ

Joint Base Lewis-McChord or Fort Carson?

Which pays more BAH, Joint Base Lewis-McChord or Fort Carson?

For an E-5 with dependents, Joint Base Lewis-McChord pays more: $2,556 a month against $2,358, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Joint Base Lewis-McChord or Fort Carson?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $2,064 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord and $1,621 near Fort Carson (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Fort Carson?

About 1,066 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.