Camp Lejeune vs MCAS Cherry Point
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
MCAS Cherry Point has the higher housing allowance ($1,851 vs $1,584 for an E-5 with dependents, a $267/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Camp Lejeune is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Camp Lejeune | MCAS Cherry Point | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Marine Corps | Marine Corps |
| Location | Jacksonville, NC | Havelock, NC |
| Personnel | 40,000+ | 13,000+ |
| Cost of living | Low | Moderate |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,584 | $1,851 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $1,995 | $2,181 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,085 | $2,421 |
| Typical home price | $200k-$300k | $190k-$280k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
Compare other bases
Use the interactive tool to compare any two of our 130+ bases.
Open the compare tool