Compare two bases

Camp Pendleton vs Twentynine Palms

An E-5 with dependents gets $1,983 more BAH a month at Camp Pendleton ($3,963 at Camp Pendleton, $1,980 at Twentynine Palms). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $1,140 at Camp Pendleton and -$123 at Twentynine Palms. The two are about 100 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
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Marines · CAMCB Camp Pendleton
Marines · CAMCB Twentynine Palms
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$3,963
$1,980
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$2,823
$2,103
Left after rent each month
$1,140
-$123
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
106
86
Housing cost index
118
72
Groceries index
102
90
Schools nearby (our count)
54 Oceanside Unified School District, Fallbrook Union School District
12 Twentynine Palms Unified School District
On-base services listed
17
16
On-base housing wait (our estimate, call the housing office)
About 8 mo Family housing on base
About 2 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 100 milesStraight line. Estimate your move money.

Both are Marines 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 comparisonCamp Pendleton BAH vs rentTwentynine Palms BAH vs rent
Compare different bases

Try another pair

CompareCamp Lejeune vs Camp PendletonE-5 BAH $1,584 vs $3,963 CompareCamp Lejeune vs MCAS Cherry PointE-5 BAH $1,584 vs $1,851
FAQ

Camp Pendleton or Twentynine Palms?

Which pays more BAH, Camp Pendleton or Twentynine Palms?

For an E-5 with dependents, Camp Pendleton pays more: $3,963 a month against $1,980, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Camp Pendleton or Twentynine Palms?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $2,823 near Camp Pendleton and $2,103 near Twentynine Palms (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms?

About 100 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.