Compare two bases

Fort Rucker vs Fort Meade

An E-5 with dependents gets $1,329 more BAH a month at Fort Meade ($1,572 at Fort Rucker, $2,901 at Fort Meade). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $651 at Fort Rucker and $895 at Fort Meade. The two are about 739 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
Swap sides
Army · ALFort Rucker
Army · MDFort Meade
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$1,572
$2,901
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$921
$2,006
Left after rent each month
$651
$895
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
59
90
Housing cost index
48
95
Groceries index
60
95
Schools nearby (our count)
32 Enterprise City Schools, Houston County Schools
62 Anne Arundel County Public Schools
On-base services listed
14
16
On-base housing wait (our estimate, call the housing office)
About 2 mo Family housing on base
About 5 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 739 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 Rucker 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 Rucker or Fort Meade?

Which pays more BAH, Fort Rucker or Fort Meade?

For an E-5 with dependents, Fort Meade pays more: $2,901 a month against $1,572, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Fort Rucker or Fort Meade?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $921 near Fort Rucker and $2,006 near Fort Meade (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Fort Rucker and Fort Meade?

About 739 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.