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 ($2,085) minus that town's median 2-bedroom rent. Check your own pay grade.
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$837 a month
Bellevue Public Schools: 21 schools, 9,444 students, 14.7 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$760 a month
Papillion-La Vista Community Schools: 22 schools, 12,039 students, 14.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,164 a month
Plattsmouth Community Schools: 4 schools, 1,459 students, 13.4 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$605 a month
Papillion-La Vista Community Schools: 22 schools, 12,039 students, 14.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,143 a month
Glenwood Community School District: 4 schools, 2,087 students, 16.1 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$768 a month
Ralston Public Schools: 8 schools, 3,409 students, 14.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,031 a month
Council Bluffs Community School District: 15 schools, 8,546 students, 14.6 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$731 a month
Council Bluffs Community School District: 15 schools, 8,546 students, 14.6 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$849 a month
Westside Community Schools: 14 schools, 6,319 students, 14.1 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$817 a month
Millard Public Schools: 36 schools, 23,300 students, 15.4 students per teacher. District facts
Updated October 12, 2026. How we get our numbers.
Bellevue, NE is about 12 minutes from the main post area (5.4 road miles) without traffic.
Omaha, NE, with about 488,837 people, 30 minutes from the main post area. Bigger towns usually mean more rentals, schools and jobs to choose from.
Glenwood, IA, where the Census median rent is $924 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 $2,085 a month. That is at or above the Census median 2-bedroom rent in 10 of the 10 towns here with a Census figure for that size, with the most left over in Plattsmouth, NE.
Bellevue Public Schools, with 21 schools and 9,444 students (14.7 students per teacher), from the NCES Common Core of Data. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the district.