9 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 ($2,364) minus that town's median 2-bedroom rent. Check your own pay grade.
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$710 a month
Bremerton School District: 13 schools, 4,367 students, 15.7 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$627 a month
Central Kitsap School District: 19 schools, 11,116 students, 18.4 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$552 a month
South Kitsap School District: 17 schools, 9,297 students, 16.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median rent: +$810 a month
South Kitsap School District: 17 schools, 9,297 students, 16.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$705 a month
Bremerton School District: 13 schools, 4,367 students, 15.7 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$609 a month
Central Kitsap School District: 19 schools, 11,116 students, 18.4 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$600 a month
South Kitsap School District: 17 schools, 9,297 students, 16.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$674 a month
South Kitsap School District: 17 schools, 9,297 students, 16.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$588 a month
Tacoma Public Schools: 69 schools, 28,272 students, 17.6 students per teacher. District facts
Updated October 12, 2026. How we get our numbers.
Naval Base Kitsap base guide Naval Base Kitsap BAH Other bases
Navy Yard City, WA is about 4 minutes from the main post area (1 road miles) without traffic.
Bremerton, WA, with about 44,830 people, 18 minutes from the main post area. Bigger towns usually mean more rentals, schools and jobs to choose from.
East Port Orchard, WA, where the Census median rent is $1,554 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 $2,364 a month. That is at or above the Census median 2-bedroom rent in 8 of the 8 towns here with a Census figure for that size, with the most left over in Navy Yard City, WA.
Bremerton School District, with 13 schools and 4,367 students (15.7 students per teacher), from the NCES Common Core of Data. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the district.