Compare two bases

Joint Base San Antonio vs Fort Hood

An E-5 with dependents gets $174 more BAH a month at Joint Base San Antonio ($1,869 at Joint Base San Antonio, $1,695 at Fort Hood). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $428 at Joint Base San Antonio and $557 at Fort Hood. The two are about 126 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
Swap sides
Air Force · TXJoint Base San Antonio
Army · TXFort Hood
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$1,869
$1,695
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$1,441
$1,138
Left after rent each month
$428
$557
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
69
65
Housing cost index
68
56
Groceries index
70
68
Schools nearby (our count)
89 North East ISD, Northside ISD
58 Killeen ISD, Copperas Cove ISD
On-base services listed
17
16
On-base housing wait (our estimate, call the housing office)
About 4 mo Family housing on base
About 7 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 126 milesStraight line. Estimate your move money.

A Air Force and a Army installation, a choice that comes up for dual-military families and joint assignments. 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 San Antonio BAH vs rentFort Hood BAH vs rent
Compare different bases

Try another pair

CompareFort Hood vs Fort BlissE-5 BAH $1,695 vs $1,809 CompareFort Bragg vs Fort HoodE-5 BAH $1,806 vs $1,695 CompareJoint Base Andrews vs QuanticoE-5 BAH $3,132 vs $2,955
FAQ

Joint Base San Antonio or Fort Hood?

Which pays more BAH, Joint Base San Antonio or Fort Hood?

For an E-5 with dependents, Joint Base San Antonio pays more: $1,869 a month against $1,695, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Joint Base San Antonio or Fort Hood?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $1,441 near Joint Base San Antonio and $1,138 near Fort Hood (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Joint Base San Antonio and Fort Hood?

About 126 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.