Fort Benning: rent or buy? (2026)
E-5 with dependents: $1,716/mo BAH.
- Typical 3BR rent: $1,445 (HUD FY2026). You keep about $271/mo.
- Typical home: $188,877 in Muscogee County GA (Columbus) (Zillow, Sept 2026).
- VA loan, $0 down: about $1,571/mo with tax and insurance (est.).
- O-3 with dependents: $2,058/mo BAH.
Your plan for Fort Benning
2026 BAH at Fort Benning
Military Housing Area GA075: Fort Benning, GA. Duty ZIP 31905. Monthly rates from DTMO, effective Jan 1, 2026. Confirm your ZIP on the DTMO lookup.
| Grade | With dependents | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,635 | $1,362 |
| E-2 | $1,635 | $1,362 |
| E-3 | $1,635 | $1,362 |
| E-4 | $1,635 | $1,362 |
| E-5 | $1,716 | $1,482 |
| E-6 | $1,977 | $1,557 |
| E-7 | $2,004 | $1,635 |
| E-8 | $2,037 | $1,773 |
| E-9 | $2,121 | $1,842 |
| W-1 | $1,995 | $1,623 |
| W-2 | $2,016 | $1,770 |
| W-3 | $2,061 | $1,854 |
| W-4 | $2,148 | $1,977 |
| W-5 | $2,262 | $2,010 |
| O-1E | $2,007 | $1,713 |
| O-2E | $2,049 | $1,827 |
| O-3E | $2,166 | $1,968 |
| O-1 | $1,755 | $1,554 |
| O-2 | $1,974 | $1,692 |
| O-3 | $2,058 | $1,878 |
| O-4 | $2,295 | $1,998 |
| O-5 | $2,469 | $2,013 |
| O-6 | $2,487 | $2,034 |
| O-7+ | $2,502 | $2,067 |
Rent near Fort Benning
| Size | HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $895 |
| 1 bedroom | $939 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,088 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,445 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,703 |
Columbus, GA-AL HUD Metro FMR Area (Muscogee County GA (Columbus)). 40th-percentile rent including utilities. Zillow ZORI (all sizes, Sept 2026): $1,341.
Buying with a VA loan
- Typical home value
- $188,877 (Zillow ZHVI, Muscogee County GA (Columbus), Sept 2026)
- Loan, $0 down
- $192,938 incl. 2.15% funding fee (first use)
- Principal + interest
- $1,336/mo at 7.4% (Freddie Mac avg, 2026-10-15)
- Property tax (est.)
- $135/mo (0.86% of value, Census ACS)
- Insurance (placeholder)
- $100/mo
- Total (est.)
- $1,571/mo
- 2026 loan limit
- $832,750 (only matters with partial entitlement)
All numbers are estimates for planning. BAH: DTMO 2026. Rent: HUD FY2026 FMR. Home value: Zillow ZHVI, Sept 2026. Rate: Freddie Mac 7.4% (2026-10-15). Tax: Census ACS county median. Insurance: our placeholder (0.5% of value, min $1,200/yr), not a quote.
FAQ
What is the 2026 BAH at Fort Benning?
For an E-5 with dependents it's $1,716 a month; without dependents $1,482. O-3 with dependents: $2,058. Military Housing Area GA075 (Fort Benning, GA). Source: DTMO 2026 rates.
How much is rent near Fort Benning?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Muscogee County GA (Columbus): $1,088 for 2 bedrooms, $1,445 for 3 bedrooms, including utilities. Zillow's typical observed rent (all sizes) was $1,341 in Sept 2026.
Should I buy a house at Fort Benning?
It depends on how long you'll stay and whether you'd keep it as a rental. Run the planner above with your rank and plans.
What's the VA loan limit near Fort Benning?
With full entitlement there's no VA loan limit. With partial entitlement, VA uses the 2026 FHFA one-unit limit for Muscogee County GA (Columbus): $832,750.