BAH Calculator 2026: Basic Allowance for Housing by Location
BAH Calculator 2026: Basic Allowance for Housing by Location TL;DR: 2026 BAH rates increased an average of 4.2% nationwide, effective January 1. Use the calculator
Army Base Guide
If you just got orders to Fort Leonard Wood, you’ve landed in one of the most mission-dense Army posts in the country — home to the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and the training hub for Army Engineers, Military Police, and CBRN. The Ozarks are beautiful, the cost of living is genuinely low, and the military community is tight-knit. This guide gives you the real numbers — 2026 BAH rates, on- and off-post housing details, school names with phone numbers, healthcare contacts, gate access, and the insider perspective only military families can give. Start your PCS plan here and come back to this page for every question that comes up along the way.
Join the Fort Leonard Wood PCS Pay-It-Forward® group on Facebook — thousands of military families who’ve been there, done that, and are ready to answer your questions.
| Installation | Fort Leonard Wood (FLW) |
| Location | Pulaski County, south-central Missouri Ozarks |
| Size | 61,000+ acres (~97 square miles) |
| Mission | Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (MSCoE) — Engineer, MP, CBRN training |
| Annual Training Volume | 80,000–90,000 soldiers and civilians trained per year |
| Commanding General | Major General Christopher G. Beck |
| Base Operator | (573) 596-0131 | DSN 312-581-0131 |
| Welcome / Visitors Center | (573) 596-0590 |
| Nearest Airport | Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport (~3 miles from post) |
| Cost of Living | Pulaski County is 23.58% below the national average |
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing at Fort Leonard Wood increased 10.5% from 2025. For the full story on how BAH works and how to use it toward a VA home loan, visit our 2026 BAH rates guide. Rates are set by zip code (65473 for Fort Leonard Wood). For 2026, soldiers with dependents receive 24.7% more BAH than those without.
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E1 – E4 | $1,386/mo | $1,287/mo |
| E5 | $1,479/mo | $1,290/mo |
| E6 | $1,722/mo | $1,296/mo |
| E7 | $1,833/mo | $1,386/mo |
| E8 | $1,956/mo | $1,533/mo |
| E9 | $2,064/mo | $1,596/mo |
| W1 | $1,740/mo | $1,368/mo |
| W2 | $1,884/mo | $1,530/mo |
| W3 | $2,034/mo | $1,608/mo |
| W4 | $2,073/mo | $1,743/mo |
| W5 | $2,130/mo | $1,860/mo |
| O1 | $1,515/mo | $1,293/mo |
| O2 | $1,719/mo | $1,452/mo |
| O3 | $2,028/mo | $1,629/mo |
| O4 | $2,142/mo | $1,833/mo |
| O5 | $2,223/mo | $1,899/mo |
| O6 | $2,238/mo | $2,013/mo |
Good news for buyers: Fort Leonard Wood’s BAH is one of the easiest in the Army to stretch. The median home value in Pulaski County is around $164,000 — meaning your BAH can often cover a full mortgage payment rather than just rent. If you’re thinking about buying, our VA Home Loan guide is the place to start.
On-post family housing at Fort Leonard Wood is managed by Fort Leonard Wood Homes by Balfour Beatty Communities. There are over 1,800 homes available in two-, three-, and four-bedroom floor plans — and in December 2025, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of 56 additional new homes in the Woodlands area. Active duty families, qualified military retirees, DoD civilian employees, and even some general public applicants can apply.
What’s included with on-post housing: no application fee, no credit check, no security deposit, water and sewer covered, average electricity and gas covered, 24-hour emergency maintenance, lawn care, and pet-friendly communities. Most neighborhoods include a community center, fitness center, splash park, playground, and picnic pavilion.
Housing is assigned by rank and availability. Contact the PHA Office to get on the list as soon as you receive orders — waitlists can be weeks to months, especially in summer PCS season.
| Neighborhood | Eligible Ranks | Bedrooms | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Point | E5–E9 | 3–4 BR | Near Partridge Elementary and North/South gates |
| North Lieber Heights | E7 | 4 BR | Near Partridge Elementary and a large community park |
| North Stonegate | E5–E7 | 3–4 BR | Garages and patios; easy access to Main Gate |
| Piney Estates | E9, O5–O6 | 4 BR | Porches and garages; near Thayer Elementary |
| Piney Hills | E5–E9, O1–O4 | 2–4 BR | Carport or garage options; near Thayer Elementary |
| South Lieber Heights | E1–E9, O1–O6, Retirees, DoD | 2–4 BR | Walking distance to Wood Elementary; access to North and West gates |
| Woodlands | E1–E4, O1–O3 | 3–4 BR | Near Partridge Elementary; new construction underway (2025–2026) |
On-Post Housing Contact:
Fort Leonard Wood Homes (Balfour Beatty): (573) 329-3105 | 1503 Big Piney Road, Building 1018
PHA Office: (573) 596-3754
Most military families at Fort Leonard Wood live off-post, and the local area actually delivers solid value. You’ll pay Midwest prices while collecting BAH that often exceeds actual rent — making it one of the better duty stations for building financial margin or taking a shot at homeownership.
| Area | Direction from Post | Drive Time | Average Rent Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Robert | North (Main Gate) | 3–10 min | $428–$800/mo (avg $574) | Most military-heavy off-post area; Walmart, dining, shopping |
| Waynesville | West (West Gate) | 5–15 min | $331–$678/mo (avg $476) | Chain restaurants, upgraded movie theater, more residential feel |
| Plato | South (South Gate) | 15–25 min | Below Waynesville avg | Very rural; good for privacy, longer commute |
| Rolla | East (I-44) | ~30 min | Similar to Waynesville | College town; Ross, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Kohl’s |
| Crocker / Dixon | Varies | 20–35 min | Lower end | Quieter options; longer commute to post |
Thinking about buying instead of renting? It often makes financial sense here — especially for families who want 4+ bedrooms. Median purchase prices in Pulaski County are around $164,000, and buyers with VA loans can skip the down payment entirely. If you’re exploring that route, connect with a VA-savvy lender through our VA Home Loan guide before you even land in Missouri.
Real talk: Fort Leonard Wood gets the nickname “Fort Lost in the Woods” for a reason. There’s no Target nearby — the closest one is over an hour away. There is a Walmart in St. Robert and growing retail in Rolla, but if you’re used to suburban amenities, it takes some adjustment. The trade-off is a small-town, deeply military-friendly community where you’ll never have to explain why you moved again.
Connect with other families already living there in the Fort Leonard Wood PCS Pay-It-Forward® group — they’ll tell you which streets to avoid, where the best deals are, and which landlords are worth working with.
Housing Services / Referral Office (HRO): Building 486, Replacement Ave | (573) 596-0212 x7
Ready to figure out your housing options?
Our PCS Plan tool walks you through housing, finances, and timelines — specific to Fort Leonard Wood. Start it free, no email required.
There are no DoDEA schools on Fort Leonard Wood. All schools on and around post — including the four elementary schools located within the housing areas — belong to the Waynesville R-VI School District. The district serves approximately 6,000 students, about 75% of whom are military-impacted and 60% of whom are military dependents. That level of military saturation means the staff genuinely understands PCS transitions, mid-year enrollment, and the unique challenges military kids face.
| School | Grades | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williams Early Childhood Center | Birth – Age 5 (special needs support) | 12225 Pulaski Ave, FLW, MO 65473 | (573) 842-2650 |
| Partridge Elementary | K–5 | 2225 Young St, FLW, MO 65473 | (573) 842-2600 |
| Thayer Elementary | K–5 | 15392 Thayer Road, FLW, MO 65473 | (573) 842-2200 |
| Wood Elementary | K–5 | 4590 Buckeye Ave, FLW, MO 65473 | (573) 842-2625 |
Note: On-post elementary assignment is based on your housing area address. You must reside on-post to attend one of these schools. Bus transportation is provided to all students during the academic year.
| School | Grades | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Elementary | K–5 | 1501 State Road F, Waynesville, MO 65583 | (573) 842-2150 |
| Freedom Elementary | K–5 | 286 Eastlawn Ave, St. Robert, MO 65584 | (573) 842-2100 |
| Waynesville Sixth Grade Center | Grade 6 | 810 Roosevelt St, Waynesville, MO 65583 | (573) 842-2300 |
| Waynesville Middle School | Grades 7–8 | 1001 Historic Route 66, Waynesville, MO 65583 | (573) 842-2550 |
| Waynesville High School | Grades 9–12 | 200 G.W. Lane, Waynesville, MO 65583 | (573) 842-2400 |
| Waynesville Career Center | Grades 9–12 + Adult | 400 G.W. Lane, Waynesville, MO 65583 | (573) 842-2097 |
District Office: 200 Fleetwood Drive, Waynesville, MO 65583 | (573) 842-2097 | waynesville.k12.mo.us
The district’s School Liaison Officer (SLO) at Fort Leonard Wood can help with mid-year transfers, IEP transitions, and navigating the Waynesville system. Contact Army Community Service at (573) 596-0212 to be connected. Before and after school care through Child and Youth Services (CYS) is also available — register early, as spots fill fast.
Your primary medical facility at Fort Leonard Wood is General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital (GLWACH), a full-service military treatment facility with 75 inpatient beds and over 900 staff members. It offers inpatient and outpatient care, women’s health, pediatrics, dental services, mental health, pharmacy, and more. The hospital website is leonard-wood.tricare.mil.
| Service | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| GLWACH Main Line | 4430 Missouri Ave, Bldg 310, FLW, MO 65473 | (573) 596-0035 |
| Appointments | — | 866-299-4234 |
| Family Practice | 4430 Missouri Ave, 1st Floor | (573) 596-1765 |
| Pediatrics | 4430 Missouri Ave, 1st Floor | (573) 596-1766 |
| Women’s Health & Pregnancy | 4430 Missouri Ave, 3rd Floor | (573) 596-1770 |
| Pharmacy | 4430 Missouri Ave, 1st Floor | (573) 596-0514 |
| Pharmacy Refills | — | (573) 570-3211 | 800-245-1953 |
| TRICARE BCAC (benefits questions) | At GLWACH | (573) 596-0440 |
| EFMP – Family Support | — | (573) 596-0212 |
| Boak Dental Clinic | 12720 Kansas Ave, Bldg 789 | (573) 596-1470 |
Pharmacy hours: Mon–Wed & Fri: 0800–1800 | Thu: 0800–1300 and 1400–1800 | Sat: 0800–1200 and 1300–1700 | Closed Sunday and federal holidays.
For TRICARE coverage details and how to enroll at a new installation, visit tricare.mil. EFMP families should contact the EFMP coordinator as soon as orders arrive — the sooner you start, the smoother the transfer of services.
Security personnel conduct 100% ID checks at all gates for all persons of driving age entering Fort Leonard Wood. You must have a valid DoD ID or state/federal government ID.
| Gate | Also Known As | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Gate | Sverdrup Gate / North Gate | 24/7 | Primary entry point; most traffic |
| East Gate | — | Mon–Fri: 0500–0830 & 1400–1800 | Commuter gate; closed weekends and holidays |
| West Gate | Waggener Gate | Mon–Fri: 0500–0800 & 1400–1800 (approx) | Hours reduced from 24/7; verify before travel |
Visitor passes: Visitors need a valid picture ID, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and TDY/assignment orders if applicable. Sponsor must be present or call ahead. For visitors without a DoD ID, use the Main Gate and allow extra time.
Directions to the Main Gate from I-44: Take Exit 161 for Missouri Y / I-44 Spur toward Fort Leonard Wood. Turn right onto Missouri Ave, continue 0.2 miles to the Main Gate.
Active duty Army personnel report to the Central In/Out Processing Office in Building 470, Room 2102 between 0730 and 1630, Monday through Friday. If you’re arriving during non-duty hours, single soldiers should report to the Charge of Quarters (CQ) in 1st Brigade, Building 844 — phone (573) 596-0225.
Before or during in-processing, make sure you visit these key offices:
| Office | Location / Phone | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Office (ITO) | 14673 1st St, Bldg 380 | (573) 596-0617 | Mon–Fri 0700–1530 | File HHG / PPM claims, coordinate shipment pickup and delivery |
| Finance Office | Contact unit for location | Establish travel pay, BAH, and DLA entitlements |
| Personnel Support Office | (573) 596-2700 | Records, assignments, personnel actions |
| ID / CAC Card Processing | (573) 596-0744 | New ID cards for service member and dependents |
| Housing Office (PHA / Balfour Beatty) | (573) 596-3754 | (573) 329-3105 | Apply for on-post housing or get off-post referral list |
| Army Community Service (ACS) | Bldg 486, Replacement Ave | (573) 596-0212 x7 | Financial counseling, relocation assistance, school liaison, spouse employment |
For household goods questions and DITY / Personally Procured Move (PPM) information, bookmark our complete DITY move guide — it covers the full process from requesting authorization to submitting your reimbursement claim.
Fort Leonard Wood offers temporary lodging for incoming service members and families while waiting for permanent housing. Contact the Lodging Office early — summer PCS season books out fast. You’re entitled to Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) for up to 10 days off-post while awaiting government quarters. Off-post hotels in St. Robert and Waynesville are also available and generally affordable. Verify TLE entitlements with Finance before incurring costs.
The installation has a robust MWR program — substantially more amenities than you’d expect for a post its size. On-post recreation includes:
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Fitness Centers (4 gyms) | Specker (weights focus), Davidson (family / sports / classes), plus two more |
| RecPlex | Indoor pool, mini-golf, go-karts, family entertainment center |
| Bowling Alley | Full-service lanes on post |
| Movie Theater | On-post theater; Waynesville also has an updated commercial theater with reclining seats |
| Golf Course | 18-hole course on post; open seasonally |
| Hunting & Archery | Seasonal; Missouri license and base permit required |
| Mark Twain National Forest | On-post access to hiking, fishing, and exploring Ozark terrain |
| Library | Storytime programs for children; adult resources and computer access |
| Youth Sports & CYS Programs | Intramural sports, after-school programs, Child Development Centers |
Fort Leonard Wood’s Ozark location means outdoor recreation is on your doorstep. The local rivers — the Gasconade, Big Piney, and Roubidoux — are favorites for floating, kayaking, and fishing. The Ozarks region is also famous for its limestone caverns — Onyx Mountain Caverns is less than 30 minutes from post.
| Destination | Drive Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Lake of the Ozarks | ~1 hour | Boating, fishing, water parks, Osage Beach outlets |
| Rolla | ~30 min | Shopping, dining, Missouri S&T campus |
| Springfield | ~1.5 hours | Malls, restaurants, Bass Pro Shops flagship store, college sports |
| Branson | ~2 hours | Silver Dollar City, Titanic Museum, Table Rock Lake, live music |
| Columbia (Mizzou) | ~1.5 hours | University of Missouri events, dining, city feel |
| St. Louis | ~2.5 hours | Free zoo, City Museum, Cardinals baseball, STL airport |
The St. Louis Cardinals are a big deal in Missouri — and they host Military Appreciation events and offer service member discounts regularly. Worth the drive for a game.
Fort Leonard Wood’s Army Community Service (ACS) program is one of the most active on-post support networks you’ll find at any installation. ACS offers financial counseling, relocation assistance, employment workshops, and connection to the MilitaryOneSource resource network. Reach ACS at (573) 596-0212 x7, located in Building 486 on Replacement Avenue.
For spouse employment, the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) program helps connect spouses to employers who have committed to hiring, developing, and retaining military spouses. Ask ACS for the local employer partnership list at your in-processing appointment.
The surrounding area — St. Robert, Waynesville, Rolla — has a significant base of military-friendly employers. Healthcare, education, retail, and government contracting are the most common sectors. Remote work has also opened up options for spouses bringing portable careers.
For PCS financial planning — what you can deduct, how to budget your move, and managing the gap between homes — check our PCS tax write-offs guide and our PCS binder checklist.
Get connected before you arrive.
The Fort Leonard Wood PCS Pay-It-Forward® group is full of families who just went through what you’re going through. They know the best neighborhoods, the current housing waitlist situation, and which off-post landlords to avoid. Join before you even start packing.
Fort Leonard Wood was established in January 1941 in the lead-up to America’s entry into World War II, built as an infantry and engineer training center to rapidly expand the Army. It was named for Major General Leonard Wood — Medal of Honor recipient, commander of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (“Rough Riders”), Commanding Officer of Theodore Roosevelt, and eventual Army Chief of Staff.
Today, Fort Leonard Wood is one of the Army’s premier training installations, home to the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (MSCoE). It hosts the U.S. Army Engineer School, the U.S. Army Military Police School, and the U.S. Army CBRN School. Remarkably, it also supports the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Detachment on any Army post in the country, plus a Navy Seabee Detachment and Coast Guard training contingent. You genuinely could end up with neighbors from every branch of service.
The installation trains and educates 80,000 to 90,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, guardians, and civilians every year — making Fort Leonard Wood one of the highest-throughput training posts in the DoD.
| Office | Phone |
|---|---|
| Base Operator | (573) 596-0131 |
| Welcome / Visitors Center | (573) 596-0590 |
| Information & Referral Services (ACS) | (573) 596-0212 |
| Personnel Support Office | (573) 596-2700 |
| ID / CAC Card Processing | (573) 596-0744 |
| Transportation Office (ITO) | (573) 596-0617 |
| CQ (Non-duty hours, 1st Brigade) | (573) 596-0225 |
| PHA Housing Office | (573) 596-3754 |
| Balfour Beatty (On-Post Housing) | (573) 329-3105 |
| GLWACH Main Hospital | (573) 596-0035 |
| GLWACH Appointments | 866-299-4234 |
| GLWACH Pharmacy | (573) 596-0514 |
| GLWACH Pediatrics | (573) 596-1766 |
| GLWACH Women’s Health | (573) 596-1770 |
| TRICARE BCAC | (573) 596-0440 |
| Waynesville R-VI School District | (573) 842-2097 |
Have you thought about buying instead of renting?
With BAH that often exceeds local rent and home prices averaging around $164,000, Fort Leonard Wood is one of the better duty stations to use your VA loan benefit. Our VA Home Loan guide walks you through the full process — eligibility, finding a lender, the timeline, and what to expect at closing. Free, no pressure.
2026 BAH rates at Fort Leonard Wood increased 10.5% from 2025. An E-5 with dependents receives $1,479/month; an E-5 without dependents receives $1,290/month. An O-3 with dependents receives $2,028/month. All rates are tax-free. See the full table above for all pay grades, or use the DoD BAH Rate Lookup tool to verify your specific rate.
Yes — with caveats. The cost of living is genuinely low, the military community is tight-knit, and the schools are accustomed to military families. The trade-off is limited suburban amenities (no Target nearby, and the closest major retail hub is Rolla, about 30 minutes away). Families who enjoy outdoor recreation — hiking, floating, fishing, hunting — tend to love it. Families who need urban amenities often have a harder time. Most families give it at least a neutral-to-positive review by the time their orders come up.
All schools at and around Fort Leonard Wood are part of the Waynesville R-VI School District — there are no DoDEA schools on post. If you live on-post, your elementary-aged children will attend one of the three on-post K-5 schools (Partridge, Thayer, or Wood Elementary) based on your housing area. Middle schoolers attend Waynesville Middle School and high schoolers attend Waynesville High School, both located in Waynesville. Bus transportation is provided for all students.
Fort Leonard Wood Homes by Balfour Beatty manages over 1,800 on-post homes in seven neighborhoods. Floor plans range from two to four bedrooms and are assigned by rank and availability. There is no security deposit and most utilities are included. Waitlist times vary by rank and season — contact the PHA Office at (573) 596-3754 as soon as you receive orders to get on the list. Summer PCS season has the longest waits.
The Main Gate (Sverdrup Gate) is open 24/7 and is the primary entry point. All visitors need a valid government-issued photo ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. If visiting on assignment or TDY orders, bring those as well. Your military sponsor can meet you at the gate or call ahead to authorize entry. For civilian visitors, additional verification may be required — allow extra time at the gate.
St. Robert (exiting the North / Main Gate) is the most popular off-post area for military families — it’s 3 to 10 minutes from post and has Walmart, restaurants, and the most military-focused services. Waynesville (West Gate) is slightly more residential, with similar drive times and a bit more small-town feel. Rolla (about 30 minutes east on I-44) offers the best retail selection in the area. For buyers, Pulaski County home prices average around $164,000 — a 4-bedroom home is often attainable on an E-6 or above BAH rate.
General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital (GLWACH) is the on-post military treatment facility, located at 4430 Missouri Avenue, Building 310. It offers inpatient care (75 beds), outpatient care, family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, pharmacy, dental, and mental health services. Call (573) 596-0035 for the main line or 866-299-4234 for appointments. The TRICARE Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC) is available at (573) 596-0440 if you have questions about coverage, enrollment, or transitioning your TRICARE plan.
Active duty Army personnel report to the Central In/Out Processing Office in Building 470, Room 2102, between 0730 and 1630, Monday through Friday. Soldiers arriving outside duty hours report to the 1st Brigade CQ in Building 844 at (573) 596-0225. After initial check-in, plan to visit the Transportation Office for HHG claims, Finance for travel pay and BAH, ACS for relocation support, and the Housing Office if you’re seeking on-post quarters. Request a sponsor from your gaining unit before you depart — they can help you navigate the first few days significantly faster.
More than most people expect. On-post amenities include four gyms, a RecPlex with an indoor pool and go-karts, a golf course, a bowling alley, hunting and archery ranges, and access to Mark Twain National Forest. Off-post, the Ozarks deliver world-class floating, fishing, and cave exploring. Lake of the Ozarks is about an hour away, Branson (Silver Dollar City, Table Rock Lake) is two hours, and St. Louis is two and a half hours — a worthwhile drive for a Cardinals game or a free day at the zoo.
BAH Calculator 2026: Basic Allowance for Housing by Location TL;DR: 2026 BAH rates increased an average of 4.2% nationwide, effective January 1. Use the calculator
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This guide covers everything military families need to know about the VA home loan benefit — eligibility, how BAH counts as qualifying income, the four VA loan types (including IRRRL for refinancing a higher rate), funding fees, and how to use your benefit more than once when you PCS.
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