Moving to Fort Cavazos
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Killeen, Texas.
Also known as: Fort Hood
Fort Cavazos, outside Killeen, Texas, is one of the largest armored posts in the force and home to III Armored Corps. Arriving soldiers usually settle in Killeen, Harker Heights, or Copperas Cove, where no state income tax and low Central Texas home prices make buying with a VA loan very common.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
Should you live on base or off base at Fort Cavazos?
On-post housing is managed by Lendlease with a range of floor plans, though larger homes carry waitlists. Off-post, Harker Heights is the family favorite for schools, while Killeen offers the most rental inventory and Copperas Cove the lowest prices. Texas has no state income tax, a real budget factor for buyers.
Where do military families live near Fort Cavazos?
Families PCSing to Fort Cavazos most often settle in Harker Heights, Killeen, Copperas Cove. The table below shows typical rents, home prices, and drive time to the gate for each.
| Area | 3-bed rent | Home prices | To gate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harker Heights | $1,300-$1,900 | $250k-$380k | 10-20 min | Top school ratings in the area; the go-to for families who plan to buy. |
| Killeen | $1,100-$1,600 | $190k-$300k | 5-15 min | Largest rental market next to post; widest range of price points. |
| Copperas Cove | $1,150-$1,650 | $210k-$310k | 15-25 min | Lowest home prices in the metro, quieter small-town feel. |
Rent and home-price ranges are typical local market estimates as of 2026-07-19, not official listings. See our methodology.
How much is 2026 BAH at Fort Cavazos?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Fort Cavazos is set by the TX286 (Fort Hood, TX) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,695 | $1,530 |
| E-7 | $2,070 | $1,668 |
| O-3 | $2,340 | $1,833 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Calculate BAH for any pay grade at Fort Cavazos →
See how Fort Cavazos ranks in the 2026 BAH rankings →
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Get my free quotesWhat schools are near Fort Cavazos?
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harker Heights High School | High | Killeen ISD | Harker Heights |
| Eastern Hills Middle School | Middle | Killeen ISD | Harker Heights |
| Mountain View Elementary | Elementary | Copperas Cove ISD | Copperas Cove |
Fort Cavazos PCS FAQ
Where do most families live near Fort Cavazos?
Harker Heights is the most popular choice for families because of its schools and newer housing. Killeen has the largest rental market and the widest range of prices right next to post. Copperas Cove offers the lowest home prices and a quieter, small-town feel about 15 to 25 minutes out.
Does no state income tax in Texas affect buying near Fort Cavazos?
Yes. Texas has no state income tax, so take-home pay goes further than in many other states, which helps buyers qualify for and afford a mortgage. Property taxes are higher than average, so factor those into the monthly payment when comparing homes with a VA loan.
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