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 ($3,135) minus that town's median 2-bedroom rent. Check your own pay grade.
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$731 a month
Seattle Public Schools: 109 schools, 50,770 students, 16.5 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$921 a month
Shoreline School District: 18 schools, 9,612 students, 20.1 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH short after the median rent: -$366 a month
Bellevue School District: 30 schools, 19,855 students, 17.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH short after the median rent: -$366 a month
Bellevue School District: 30 schools, 19,855 students, 17.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$784 a month
Shoreline School District: 18 schools, 9,612 students, 20.1 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$488 a month
Bellevue School District: 30 schools, 19,855 students, 17.8 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$973 a month
Renton School District: 31 schools, 15,081 students, 18.1 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,213 a month
Kent School District: 46 schools, 25,700 students, 17 students per teacher. District facts
E-5 BAH left over after the median 2-bedroom rent: +$1,298 a month
Federal Way School District: 46 schools, 21,818 students, 18 students per teacher. District facts
Updated October 12, 2026. How we get our numbers.
USCG Sector Puget Sound base guide USCG Sector Puget Sound BAH Other bases
Seattle, WA is about 15 minutes from the main post area (4.8 road miles) without traffic.
Federal Way, WA, where the Census median rent is $1,797 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 $3,135 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 Federal Way, WA.
Seattle Public Schools, with 109 schools and 50,770 students (16.5 students per teacher), from the NCES Common Core of Data. Always confirm the school for a specific address with the district.