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 ($1,797) minus that town's median 2-bedroom rent. Check your own pay grade.
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$650 a month
Huntsville City School District: 45 schools, 23,649 students, 17.1 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$468 a month
Madison City School District: 13 schools, 12,736 students, 17.1 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$826 a month
Madison County School District: 30 schools, 20,639 students, 18.2 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,158 a month
Madison County School District: 30 schools, 20,639 students, 18.2 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median rent: +$68 a month
Madison County School District: 30 schools, 20,639 students, 18.2 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median rent: +$561 a month
Madison County School District: 30 schools, 20,639 students, 18.2 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,028 a month
Madison County School District: 30 schools, 20,639 students, 18.2 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$896 a month
Athens City School District: 8 schools, 5,034 students, 18.6 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median rent: +$1,115 a month
Morgan County School District: 18 schools, 7,664 students, 18.2 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$905 a month
Decatur City School District: 20 schools, 8,665 students, 15.6 students per teacher. District facts
Updated October 12, 2026. How we get our numbers.
Redstone Arsenal base guide Redstone Arsenal BAH Other bases
Huntsville, AL is about 25 minutes from the main post area (10 road miles) without traffic.
Priceville, AL, where the Census median rent is $682 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 $1,797 a month. That is at or above the Census median 2-bedroom rent in 7 of the 7 towns here with a Census figure for that size, with the most left over in Moores Mill, AL.
Huntsville City School District, with 45 schools and 23,649 students (17.1 students per teacher), from the NCES Common Core of Data. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the district.