North Carolina BAH Rates: Updated For 2026

North Carolina is one of the most military-friendly states in the country, with several major installations across the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

Because of this large military presence, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates in North Carolina vary significantly depending on duty station, rank, and dependent status.

For example, housing costs near Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in Fayetteville are very different from coastal areas like Wilmington or Jacksonville near Camp Lejeune.

On this page, you’ll find the current North Carolina BAH rates for major military housing areas, along with information about nearby bases and local housing markets.

North Carolina Housing Costs & BAH Overview

Housing costs in North Carolina vary depending on the region and proximity to major military installations.

For example:

• Fayetteville (Fort Bragg) tends to have relatively affordable housing due to its large military population and high housing supply.
• Jacksonville (Camp Lejeune) has moderate housing costs, with many rental options catering specifically to military families.
• Coastal areas like Wilmington can be more expensive due to tourism and limited housing inventory.
• Smaller cities like Goldsboro or Havelock are generally more affordable compared to larger metro areas.

Because of these differences, BAH rates are adjusted by location to better reflect local housing markets.

However, many service members still choose to live slightly outside base areas in order to maximize their housing allowance.

Major Military Bases in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to several major military installations, including:

• Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg)
• Camp Lejeune
• Marine Corps Air Station New River
• Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
• Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
• Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City

These bases support tens of thousands of service members and families, which has a direct impact on local housing markets and BAH rates across the state.

BAH For Fayetteville / Manchester / Cumberland

Fayetteville is a popular destination for military families in North Carolina.

The region is home to two prominent U.S. Army installations:

• Fort Bragg
• Camp Mackall
• Simmons Army Airfield

Meanwhile, two other military bases are in the region:

• Pope Air Force Base
• Simmons Army Airfield

Fayetteville is generally considered one of the more affordable military housing markets in North Carolina.

Due to the large number of service members stationed at Fort Liberty, the area has a high supply of rental properties and military-friendly communities.

This often allows service members to find housing that fits within their BAH, especially in nearby areas like Spring Lake, Hope Mills, and Raeford.

The North Carolina BAH rates for Fayetteville, NC include:

Enlisted Rates

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,722	$1,341
E-2	$1,722	$1,341
E-3	$1,722	$1,341
E-4	$1,722	$1,341
E-5	$1,806	$1,527
E-6	$2,049	$1,638
E-7	$2,094	$1,722
E-8	$2,142	$1,860
E-9	$2,244	$1,923

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,067	$1,707
W-2	$2,112	$1,857
W-3	$2,178	$1,935
W-4	$2,271	$2,052
W-5	$2,391	$2,103

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,097	$1,803
O-2E	$2,166	$1,908
O-3E	$2,289	$2,040
O-1	$1,842	$1,635
O-2	$2,046	$1,782
O-3	$2,175	$1,956
O-4	$2,427	$2,088
O-5	$2,610	$2,109
O-6	$2,628	$2,154
O-7	$2,646	$2,190

Meanwhile, compare Fayetteville to nearby Greensboro, NC for North Carolina BAH rates:

Enlisted Rates

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,680	$1,260
E-2	$1,680	$1,260
E-3	$1,680	$1,260
E-4	$1,680	$1,260
E-5	$1,809	$1,440
E-6	$2,109	$1,581
E-7	$2,163	$1,683
E-8	$2,220	$1,875
E-9	$2,319	$1,956

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,127	$1,650
W-2	$2,184	$1,872
W-3	$2,262	$1,968
W-4	$2,340	$2,115
W-5	$2,445	$2,175

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,169	$1,806
O-2E	$2,247	$1,938
O-3E	$2,358	$2,100
O-1	$1,851	$1,551
O-2	$2,106	$1,770
O-3	$2,259	$1,995
O-4	$2,472	$2,157
O-5	$2,631	$2,187
O-6	$2,649	$2,238
O-7	$2,664	$2,274

Learn more about the military bases in North Carolina.

BAH For Elizabeth City

Elizabeth City is a small community that is home to two important military installations of the United States Coast Guard:

• USCG Air Station Elizabeth
• USCG National Strike Force

Elizabeth City has a relatively low cost of living compared to most coastal areas in North Carolina.

Housing prices are generally affordable, and many service members stationed at Coast Guard installations find that their BAH comfortably covers rent or mortgage payments.

Its proximity to Virginia Beach also provides additional housing options for those willing to commute.

Basic Allowance Housing (BAH) is distributed monthly and determined based on military rank and dependents:

Enlisted Rates

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,304	$1,770
E-2	$2,304	$1,770
E-3	$2,304	$1,770
E-4	$2,304	$1,770
E-5	$2,508	$1,980
E-6	$2,562	$2,118
E-7	$2,595	$2,310
E-8	$2,637	$2,526
E-9	$2,760	$2,532

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,577	$2,241
W-2	$2,613	$2,523
W-3	$2,670	$2,535
W-4	$2,796	$2,559
W-5	$2,958	$2,604

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,598	$2,505
O-2E	$2,655	$2,529
O-3E	$2,823	$2,547
O-1	$2,523	$2,097
O-2	$2,559	$2,442
O-3	$2,667	$2,538
O-4	$3,009	$2,589
O-5	$3,264	$2,607
O-6	$3,288	$2,643
O-7	$3,312	$2,688

Did you know Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth is one of the largest USCG military bases in the country?

Related Article – List Of Coast Guard Bases In The US

BAH For Camp Lejeune / Jacksonville

Camp Lejeune is one of the most notorious military bases in the United States.

The United States Marine Corps operates the training facility which includes 14 miles of shoreline.

The direct access to the shoreline enables U.S. Marines to focus on amphibious assault training.

Jacksonville, NC is the nearest city in the area to the two military bases:

• Camp Lejeune
• MCAS New River

Jacksonville is a military-driven housing market, with a large number of rental homes and apartments designed specifically for service members stationed at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River.

While housing prices have increased in recent years, the area is still considered moderately affordable compared to larger cities.

Many military families are able to find housing within their BAH, particularly outside of high-demand areas.

North Carolina BAH for Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune:

Enlisted Rates

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,578	$1,323
E-2	$1,578	$1,323
E-3	$1,578	$1,323
E-4	$1,578	$1,323
E-5	$1,584	$1,476
E-6	$1,944	$1,569
E-7	$1,995	$1,593
E-8	$2,049	$1,662
E-9	$2,160	$1,761

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$1,962	$1,590
W-2	$2,016	$1,659
W-3	$2,088	$1,776
W-4	$2,187	$1,950
W-5	$2,316	$2,004

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,001	$1,599
O-2E	$2,073	$1,740
O-3E	$2,208	$1,935
O-1	$1,635	$1,566
O-2	$1,941	$1,596
O-3	$2,085	$1,809
O-4	$2,355	$1,989
O-5	$2,553	$2,016
O-6	$2,571	$2,064
O-7	$2,586	$2,097

Learn more about the history of Camp Lejeune.

BAH For Seymour Johnson AFB

Seymour Johnson AFB is another prominent military installation in North Carolina.

The Air Force Base is situated near Goldsboro, North Carolina.

The small community features a population of less than 40,000.

Goldsboro is one of the more affordable housing markets in North Carolina.

Service members stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base often find that their BAH goes further here than in larger metro areas.

Lower home prices and rental rates make it a popular option for those looking to save money or purchase a home while stationed in the region.

Review the Basic Allowance Housing for Goldsboro, NC:

Enlisted Rates

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,500	$1,365
E-2	$1,500	$1,365
E-3	$1,500	$1,365
E-4	$1,500	$1,365
E-5	$1,521	$1,428
E-6	$1,950	$1,479
E-7	$2,052	$1,539
E-8	$2,160	$1,620
E-9	$2,295	$1,734

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$1,971	$1,509
W-2	$2,094	$1,608
W-3	$2,229	$1,752
W-4	$2,322	$1,968
W-5	$2,436	$2,073

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,067	$1,551
O-2E	$2,208	$1,707
O-3E	$2,340	$1,944
O-1	$1,578	$1,476
O-2	$1,947	$1,542
O-3	$2,226	$1,794
O-4	$2,472	$2,052
O-5	$2,649	$2,109
O-6	$2,667	$2,208
O-7	$2,685	$2,244

Learn more about Seymour Johnson AFB.

Related Article – Military Schools In North Carolina

BAH For Wilmington

Wilmington is a notable port city in southeastern North Carolina.

The metropolitan area also includes Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties.

Military families can find affordable housing in Wilmington which has been designated a “Coast Guard City” by the U.S. Congress.

Today, the city is home to the World War II battleship USS North Carolina with tours available to the public.

Wilmington is also home to the military installation Military Ocean Terminal – Sunny Point.

Wilmington has a higher cost of living compared to many other areas in North Carolina, largely due to its coastal location and popularity as a tourist destination.

Housing prices near the water can be expensive, and rental demand is often high.

As a result, some military families choose to live in surrounding areas to better align housing costs with their BAH.

North Carolina BAH rates for Wilmington, NC:

Enlisted Rates

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,932	$1,491
E-2	$1,932	$1,491
E-3	$1,932	$1,491
E-4	$1,932	$1,491
E-5	$2,040	$1,701
E-6	$2,502	$1,878
E-7	$2,547	$1,932
E-8	$2,595	$2,136
E-9	$2,736	$2,271

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,523	$1,905
W-2	$2,568	$2,133
W-3	$2,631	$2,289
W-4	$2,775	$2,508
W-5	$2,958	$2,559

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,553	$2,037
O-2E	$2,619	$2,241
O-3E	$2,805	$2,496
O-1	$2,100	$1,818
O-2	$2,496	$2,007
O-3	$2,628	$2,334
O-4	$3,018	$2,541
O-5	$3,303	$2,565
O-6	$3,327	$2,607
O-7	$3,351	$2,652

10 Tips for Kids of Military Families relocating to a new destination.

BAH For MCAS Cherry Point Havelock

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is an airfield near Havelock, North Carolina.

The small town of Havelock, NC is an option for military housing.

Havelock and the surrounding areas near MCAS Cherry Point offer relatively affordable housing compared to larger coastal cities.

Many service members choose to live in nearby communities like New Bern or Morehead City, where there is a wider selection of rental homes and properties.

In many cases, BAH is sufficient to cover housing costs in this region.

Enlisted Rates

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,806	$1,683
E-2	$1,806	$1,683
E-3	$1,806	$1,683
E-4	$1,806	$1,683
E-5	$1,851	$1,722
E-6	$2,046	$1,758
E-7	$2,181	$1,806
E-8	$2,328	$1,896
E-9	$2,502	$1,944

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,064	$1,803
W-2	$2,241	$1,893
W-3	$2,424	$1,953
W-4	$2,529	$2,070
W-5	$2,658	$2,214

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,205	$1,848
O-2E	$2,397	$1,932
O-3E	$2,550	$2,034
O-1	$1,884	$1,755
O-2	$2,043	$1,839
O-3	$2,421	$1,971
O-4	$2,697	$2,184
O-5	$2,898	$2,265
O-6	$2,919	$2,403
O-7	$2,940	$2,445

Is BAH Enough to Cover Housing in North Carolina?

In many parts of North Carolina, BAH is sufficient to cover housing costs, especially in more affordable areas like Fayetteville, Goldsboro, or Havelock.

However, in higher-demand areas such as Wilmington or regions near major bases, housing costs may exceed the monthly allowance depending on the neighborhood and type of housing.

Because of this, many military families compare housing options carefully and may choose to live slightly outside city centers in order to maximize their BAH.