Fort Polk: rent or buy? (2026)
E-5 with dependents: $1,218/mo BAH.
- Typical 3BR rent: $1,336 (HUD FY2026). About $118/mo over BAH.
- Typical home: $166,136 in Vernon Parish LA (Zillow, Sept 2026).
- VA loan, $0 down: about $1,348/mo with tax and insurance (est.).
- O-3 with dependents: $1,938/mo BAH.
Your plan for Fort Polk
2026 BAH at Fort Polk
Military Housing Area LA115: Fort Polk, LA. Duty ZIP 71459. Monthly rates from DTMO, effective Jan 1, 2026. Confirm your ZIP on the DTMO lookup.
| Grade | With dependents | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,206 | $1,026 |
| E-2 | $1,206 | $1,026 |
| E-3 | $1,206 | $1,026 |
| E-4 | $1,206 | $1,026 |
| E-5 | $1,218 | $1,128 |
| E-6 | $1,833 | $1,374 |
| E-7 | $1,872 | $1,404 |
| E-8 | $1,911 | $1,434 |
| E-9 | $1,989 | $1,527 |
| W-1 | $1,854 | $1,392 |
| W-2 | $1,887 | $1,416 |
| W-3 | $1,941 | $1,551 |
| W-4 | $2,010 | $1,839 |
| W-5 | $2,100 | $1,881 |
| O-1E | $1,875 | $1,410 |
| O-2E | $1,929 | $1,488 |
| O-3E | $2,022 | $1,827 |
| O-1 | $1,296 | $1,191 |
| O-2 | $1,827 | $1,407 |
| O-3 | $1,938 | $1,611 |
| O-4 | $2,124 | $1,866 |
| O-5 | $2,262 | $1,884 |
| O-6 | $2,277 | $1,917 |
| O-7+ | $2,289 | $1,947 |
Rent near Fort Polk
| Size | HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $788 |
| 1 bedroom | $793 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,041 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,336 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,433 |
Vernon Parish, LA (Vernon Parish LA). 40th-percentile rent including utilities. Zillow ZORI (all sizes, Sept 2026): $1,123.
Buying with a VA loan
- Typical home value
- $166,136 (Zillow ZHVI, Vernon Parish LA, Sept 2026)
- Loan, $0 down
- $169,708 incl. 2.15% funding fee (first use)
- Principal + interest
- $1,175/mo at 7.4% (Freddie Mac avg, 2026-10-15)
- Property tax (est.)
- $73/mo (0.53% of value, Census ACS)
- Insurance (placeholder)
- $100/mo
- Total (est.)
- $1,348/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 Polk?
For an E-5 with dependents it's $1,218 a month; without dependents $1,128. O-3 with dependents: $1,938. Military Housing Area LA115 (Fort Polk, LA). Source: DTMO 2026 rates.
How much is rent near Fort Polk?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Vernon Parish LA: $1,041 for 2 bedrooms, $1,336 for 3 bedrooms, including utilities. Zillow's typical observed rent (all sizes) was $1,123 in Sept 2026.
Should I buy a house at Fort Polk?
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 Polk?
With full entitlement there's no VA loan limit. With partial entitlement, VA uses the 2026 FHFA one-unit limit for Vernon Parish LA: $832,750.