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 ($2,358) minus that town's median 2-bedroom rent. Check your own pay grade.
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,172 a month
Petersburg City Public Schools: 7 schools, 4,464 students, 14.5 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median rent: +$1,319 a month
Chesterfield County Public Schools: 73 schools, 64,132 students, 13.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,051 a month
Chesterfield County Public Schools: 73 schools, 64,132 students, 13.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,193 a month
Colonial Heights City Public Schools: 6 schools, 2,931 students, 12.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,300 a month
Hopewell City Public Schools: 7 schools, 3,944 students, 13.2 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$579 a month
Chesterfield County Public Schools: 73 schools, 64,132 students, 13.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$909 a month
Chesterfield County Public Schools: 73 schools, 64,132 students, 13.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,350 a month
Chesterfield County Public Schools: 73 schools, 64,132 students, 13.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$888 a month
Chesterfield County Public Schools: 73 schools, 64,132 students, 13.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$913 a month
Richmond City Public Schools: 54 schools, 20,819 students, 15 students per teacher. District facts
Updated October 12, 2026. How we get our numbers.
Petersburg, VA is about 10 minutes from the main post area (3.5 road miles) without traffic.
Matoaca, VA, where the Census median rent is $1,039 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 $2,358 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 Bellwood, VA.
Petersburg City Public Schools, with 7 schools and 4,464 students (14.5 students per teacher), from the NCES Common Core of Data. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the district.