Compare two bases

Fort Meade vs Fort Polk

An E-5 with dependents gets $1,683 more BAH a month at Fort Meade ($2,901 at Fort Meade, $1,218 at Fort Polk). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $895 at Fort Meade and $116 at Fort Polk. The two are about 1,081 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
Swap sides
Army · MDFort Meade
Army · LAFort Polk
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$2,901
$1,218
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$2,006
$1,102
Left after rent each month
$895
$116
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
90
58
Housing cost index
95
48
Groceries index
95
62
Schools nearby (our count)
62 Anne Arundel County Public Schools
20 Vernon Parish School Board
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 1,081 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 Meade BAH vs rentFort Polk 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 Meade or Fort Polk?

Which pays more BAH, Fort Meade or Fort Polk?

For an E-5 with dependents, Fort Meade pays more: $2,901 a month against $1,218, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Fort Meade or Fort Polk?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $2,006 near Fort Meade and $1,102 near Fort Polk (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Fort Meade and Fort Polk?

About 1,081 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.