Fort Wainwright: rent or buy? (2026)
E-5 with dependents: $2,436/mo BAH.
- Typical 3BR rent: $2,331 (HUD FY2026). You keep about $105/mo.
- Typical home: $314,310 in Fairbanks North Star Borough AK (Zillow, Sept 2026).
- VA loan, $0 down: about $2,666/mo with tax and insurance (est.).
- O-3 with dependents: $2,937/mo BAH.
Your plan for Fort Wainwright
2026 BAH at Fort Wainwright
Military Housing Area AK405: Fairbanks, AK. Duty ZIP 99703. Monthly rates from DTMO, effective Jan 1, 2026. Confirm your ZIP on the DTMO lookup.
| Grade | With dependents | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,106 | $1,581 |
| E-2 | $2,106 | $1,581 |
| E-3 | $2,106 | $1,581 |
| E-4 | $2,106 | $1,581 |
| E-5 | $2,436 | $1,827 |
| E-6 | $2,454 | $1,887 |
| E-7 | $2,610 | $1,989 |
| E-8 | $2,814 | $2,166 |
| E-9 | $3,018 | $2,265 |
| W-1 | $2,457 | $1,965 |
| W-2 | $2,694 | $2,163 |
| W-3 | $2,943 | $2,271 |
| W-4 | $3,045 | $2,463 |
| W-5 | $3,171 | $2,655 |
| O-1E | $2,646 | $2,091 |
| O-2E | $2,907 | $2,235 |
| O-3E | $3,066 | $2,415 |
| O-1 | $2,448 | $1,881 |
| O-2 | $2,451 | $2,064 |
| O-3 | $2,937 | $2,301 |
| O-4 | $3,210 | $2,619 |
| O-5 | $3,405 | $2,733 |
| O-6 | $3,432 | $2,922 |
| O-7+ | $3,456 | $2,973 |
Rent near Fort Wainwright
| Size | HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,156 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,277 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,676 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,331 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,812 |
Fairbanks-College, AK MSA (Fairbanks North Star Borough AK). 40th-percentile rent including utilities. Zillow ZORI (all sizes, Sept 2026): $1,839.
Buying with a VA loan
- Typical home value
- $314,310 (Zillow ZHVI, Fairbanks North Star Borough AK, Sept 2026)
- Loan, $0 down
- $321,068 incl. 2.15% funding fee (first use)
- Principal + interest
- $2,223/mo at 7.4% (Freddie Mac avg, 2026-10-15)
- Property tax (est.)
- $312/mo (1.19% of value, Census ACS)
- Insurance (placeholder)
- $131/mo
- Total (est.)
- $2,666/mo
- 2026 loan limit
- $1,249,125 (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 Wainwright?
For an E-5 with dependents it's $2,436 a month; without dependents $1,827. O-3 with dependents: $2,937. Military Housing Area AK405 (Fairbanks, AK). Source: DTMO 2026 rates.
How much is rent near Fort Wainwright?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Fairbanks North Star Borough AK: $1,676 for 2 bedrooms, $2,331 for 3 bedrooms, including utilities. Zillow's typical observed rent (all sizes) was $1,839 in Sept 2026.
Should I buy a house at Fort Wainwright?
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 Wainwright?
With full entitlement there's no VA loan limit. With partial entitlement, VA uses the 2026 FHFA one-unit limit for Fairbanks North Star Borough AK: $1,249,125.