Fort Jackson vs Joint Base Charleston
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Joint Base Charleston has the higher housing allowance ($2,385 vs $1,878 for an E-5 with dependents, a $507/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort Jackson is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort Jackson | Joint Base Charleston | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Joint |
| Location | Columbia, SC | Charleston, SC |
| Personnel | 12,000+ | 22,000+ |
| Cost of living | Moderate | Moderate |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,878 | $2,385 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,160 | $2,652 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,232 | $2,721 |
| Typical home price | $220k-$330k | $310k-$430k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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