10 towns within about an hour of the main post area: drive time, rent, home values and the school district for each.
The green or red number is an E-5 with dependents' 2026 BAH ($1,695) minus that town's median 2-bedroom rent. Check your own pay grade.
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$614 a month
Killeen Independent School District: 54 schools, 43,864 students, 15.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$801 a month
Copperas Cove Independent School District: 11 schools, 7,959 students, 13.7 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$700 a month
Killeen Independent School District: 54 schools, 43,864 students, 15.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$345 a month
Killeen Independent School District: 54 schools, 43,864 students, 15.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$331 a month
Belton Independent School District: 21 schools, 13,808 students, 14.1 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$799 a month
Lampasas Independent School District: 5 schools, 3,560 students, 13.6 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH short after the median rent: -$124 a month
Belton Independent School District: 21 schools, 13,808 students, 14.1 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$511 a month
Temple Independent School District: 16 schools, 8,784 students, 14.2 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$818 a month
Salado Independent School District: 3 schools, 2,346 students, 15.5 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$781 a month
Gatesville Independent School District: 5 schools, 2,695 students, 13.8 students per teacher. District facts
Updated October 12, 2026. How we get our numbers.
Killeen, TX is about 12 minutes from the main post area (7.1 road miles) without traffic.
Lampasas, TX, where the Census median rent is $961 a month (rent plus utilities, 2020-2024 average). New leases usually cost more than the median, so check current listings too.
For an E-5 with dependents the 2026 DoD BAH is $1,695 a month. That is at or above the Census median 2-bedroom rent in 9 of the 9 towns here with a Census figure for that size, with the most left over in Salado, TX.
Killeen Independent School District, with 54 schools and 43,864 students (15.8 students per teacher), from the NCES Common Core of Data. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the district.