Fort Bragg PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Local Intel

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Fort Bragg (temporarily renamed Fort Liberty 2023-2025, officially Fort Bragg again as of 2025) is the largest Army installation by population with 54,000 military personnel.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Comfortable fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house with buffer)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,400/month (off-base affordable)
• School Quality: Hit-or-miss—avoid Fayetteville city schools (5/10), live in Hope Mills or Gray's Creek (7-8/10)

What This Guide Covers: Housing neighborhoods with real prices, school ratings by name, and local intel you won't find on official base websites. Skip the fluff, get the facts.

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Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Fort Bragg (Fort Liberty 2023-2025)
• Location: Fayetteville, NC (Cumberland County)
• Size: 251 square miles (one of the largest Army bases)
• Population: 54,000 military + 12,000 civilians + 12,000 contractors
• Branch: Army (Home of the Airborne and Special Operations)
• Major Units: XVIII Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, USASOC, JFK Special Warfare Center
• Climate: Humid subtropical - hot summers (85-95°F), mild winters (40-55°F)
• Nearest Major City: Raleigh (65 miles north)

Want real-time data? This guide provides 2025 rates and static intel. For live housing prices, current school ratings, and personalized recommendations, use Base Navigator → (Premium)

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BAH Rates

BAH rates sourced from Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), updated annually. See official source →

Key Insight: BAH easily covers rent in good neighborhoods like Hope Mills and Gray's Creek. Avoid downtown Fayetteville where rent can exceed BAH by $200-300/month and quality is lower.

Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

Top Tier - Best Value

1. Hope Mills

• Median Rent: $1,350/month (3BR house)
• Commute: 15 min to All American Gate
• Schools: 7/10 (Hope Mills Middle, South View High)
• Why It's Good: Safe, newer builds, good schools, family-friendly, decent shopping
• Watch Out For: Limited nightlife, suburban sprawl

2. Gray's Creek

• Median Rent: $1,400/month
• Commute: 20 min to base (via NC-87)
• Schools: 8/10 (Gray's Creek Elementary, Middle)
• Why It's Good: Top schools in area, rural feel, safe, quiet
• Watch Out For: Longer commute, fewer amenities

3. Spring Lake

• Median Rent: $1,200/month
• Commute: 10 min to Macomb Gate
• Schools: 6/10 (mixed quality)
• Why It's Good: Close to base, affordable, military-heavy
• Watch Out For: Some sketchy areas near downtown Spring Lake, check exact address

Avoid / Know What You're Getting Into

Downtown Fayetteville

• Why: High crime, bad schools (3-5/10), aging housing stock, expensive for quality
• Exception: Haymount/Heritage Square if you want walkable urban living (but still pricey)

Murchison Road Corridor

• Why: High crime, avoid after dark, known problem area
• Exception: None. Just don't.

On-Base Housing

• Wait Time: 30-90 days depending on bedroom count
• Quality: 7/10 - Recently renovated communities (Normandy, Bastogne)
• Communities: Normandy Village, Bastogne, Ardennes, Smoke Bomb Hill
• Recommendation: Good option if you want zero commute and maintenance-free living. Quality improved after 2019 renovation scandal.

Apply for on-base housing: (910) 396-5563 or visit Corvias Housing Office

Schools That Don't Suck

Top Elementary Schools

• Gray's Creek Elementary - 8/10 - Gray's Creek
• Hope Mills Elementary - 7/10 - Hope Mills
• South View Elementary - 7/10 - Hope Mills

Top Middle Schools

• Hope Mills Middle - 8/10 - Hope Mills
• Gray's Creek Middle - 8/10 - Gray's Creek

Top High Schools

• South View High - 7/10 - Hope Mills
• Gray's Creek High - 7/10 - Gray's Creek

Schools to Avoid

• Douglas Byrd High - 3/10 - High crime, poor test scores
• Reid Ross Classical - Closed 2019 (don't believe old advice)
• Most Fayetteville city schools - 4-5/10 average

School District Info: Cumberland County Schools (overall 5/10). Focus on Hope Mills and Gray's Creek sub-districts for quality. Register at Cumberland County Schools.

For live school ratings and neighborhood analysis: Base Navigator →

Local Intel (What You Actually Need to Know)

Cost of Living

• vs. National Average: 8% lower (affordable)
• Groceries: Commissary is fine but crowded. Harris Teeter off-base is 10% more but way faster.
• Gas: $3.10-3.40/gal (competitive)
• State Taxes: North Carolina does NOT tax military pay. You're welcome.

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: Bragg Blvd is a parking lot 4-6pm and 7-9am. Avoid.
• Best Gates: All American Gate fastest in AM. Macomb/Reilly Gates good for Spring Lake.
• Pro Tip: Use Raeford Road or NC-87 instead of Bragg Blvd during rush hour. Saves 15 min.

Commissary & BX/PX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings (9-11am)
• Worst Times: Saturday (any time), Friday after 3pm, payday weekends
• Off-Base Alternative: Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Walmart Supercenter on Skibo Rd

Things You Should Know

• Gate Drama: All American Gate is main gate but NOT fastest—use Macomb/Reilly if coming from south
• Airborne Noise: If you're near Sicily/Normandy Drop Zones, expect C-130s and jump operations. Loud but cool.
• Pet Registration: Takes 2 weeks on-base. Do it early or you'll get a fine.
• Gym: Ritz-Epps (main gym) is solid but packed 5-7pm. Go early AM or midday.
• "Fort Bragg" vs. "Fort Liberty": Literally no one calls it Liberty. You'll sound like a boot. Call it Bragg.

Hidden Gems

• Huske Hardware House - Brewery/restaurant in restored 1900s hardware store downtown (actually good)
• Cape Fear Botanical Garden - Nice spot for family walks, cheap
• Raleigh Day Trip - 1 hour north, way better food/culture scene
• Asheville Weekend Trip - 3.5 hours west, mountains, breweries

Areas to Avoid After Dark

• Murchison Road - High crime, shootings
• Bonnie Doone - Gang activity
• Downtown Fayetteville (east of Person St) - Sketchy at night

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What's It Like to Live at Fort Bragg?

Real Talk: Fort Bragg is a high-optempo, deployment-heavy base. If you're with the 82nd Airborne or USASOC, expect frequent field time and rotations. The base dominates the local economy—this is a military town through and through.

Deployment Tempo:

• 82nd Airborne: High—expect 9-12 month deployments every 18-24 months
• USASOC/Special Operations: Very high—frequent rotations, training cycles
• Support Units: Moderate—fewer deployments but heavy field training

Quality of Life:

• Affordable: BAH easily covers rent in good areas
• Family-Friendly: Huge military community means built-in support network
• Southern Living: Hot summers, mild winters, low cost of living
• Outdoor Access: Near beaches (2 hours), mountains (3 hours), Raleigh (1 hour)

The Good:

• Strong sense of mission and camaraderie (especially 82nd/SF)
• Affordable housing with good neighborhoods
• Excellent on-base facilities (gyms, commissary, medical)
• Large military spouse community with resources

The Not-So-Good:

• Fayetteville itself isn't winning any awards (but improving)
• High deployment tempo means family separations
• Summer heat and humidity are brutal (95°F+)
• Traffic around base 7-9am and 4-6pm is rough

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: -12% lower — Cheaper than most of US
Housing: -15% lower — BAH covers quality housing
Groceries: -8% lower — Commissary savings help
Utilities: +5% higher — AC runs 6+ months
Transportation: -10% lower — Gas, insurance cheaper
Healthcare: N/A — Tricare/base medical

Monthly Budget (E5 with 2 kids, off-base):

• Rent: $1,400 (3BR house in Hope Mills)
• Utilities: $200 (electric/water/internet)
• Groceries: $800 (family of 4, mix of commissary + off-base)
• Gas: $150 (two cars, moderate driving)
• Childcare: $600-1,000 (if needed—base CDC waitlist)
• Entertainment: $200-400 (dining out, activities)
• Total: $3,350-3,950/month

BAH vs. Reality (E5 with dependents):

• BAH Coverage: Comfortable—covers rent with buffer for utilities
• Savings Potential: Modest—can pocket some cash
• Median Rent: $1,400/month
• Buffer: $220/month (covers utilities partially)

State Taxes:

• North Carolina: 4.75% state income tax
• Military pay is NOT exempt (you pay state tax)
• No local income taxes

Pro Tips to Save Money:

• Shop commissary for meat/basics (20-30% savings)
• Use off-base grocery stores for produce/sales
• Avoid downtown Fayetteville restaurants (overpriced)
• Fort Bragg MWR has cheap entertainment (bowling, mini golf, pools)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Fayetteville's economy revolves around Fort Bragg. Most civilian jobs support the base or military community.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. Healthcare: Cape Fear Valley Health (largest employer)
2. On-Base Contractors: DynCorp, Vectrus, KBR (admin, logistics)
3. Retail/Service: Walmart, Target, restaurants (flexible hours)
4. Education: Cumberland County Schools (teachers, substitutes)
5. Remote Work: Many spouses work remote (Raleigh has better opportunities)

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $55,000-70,000
• On-base contractor (admin): $35,000-45,000
• Retail management: $30,000-40,000
• Teaching (NC): $37,000-50,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Fort Bragg has large NAF (Non-Appropriated Fund) workforce
• CFSC (Community and Family Support Center) has job assistance
• MyCAA grants available for spouse education/certification

Childcare Situation:

• CDC (Child Development Center) Waitlist: 6-12 months (get on list ASAP)
• Off-Base Daycare: $150-250/week per child
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, cheaper than off-base
• School-Age: Before/after school programs at $50-100/week

For Families:

• Schools: Choose neighborhood based on school district (see Schools section)
• Activities: Youth sports leagues, MWR programs, base pools
• Support: Strong FRG (Family Readiness Groups) especially in 82nd

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Common Questions About Fort Bragg

Q: Is Fort Bragg a good duty station? A: Depends on your priorities. High-speed units (82nd, SF) = high optempo but strong esprit de corps. If you want stability and low deployments, this isn't it. If you want mission focus and warfighter culture, it's excellent.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base is better value. On-base housing quality is 6/10 with waitlists. Off-base gets you more space, better schools (Hope Mills/Gray's Creek), and BAH pocket money.

Q: How bad is Fayetteville really? A: It's gotten better. Avoid Murchison Road and Bonnie Doone. Stick to Hope Mills, Gray's Creek, or Spring Lake and you're fine. Downtown is improving with breweries and restaurants.

Q: Can I avoid deployments at Fort Bragg? A: Not if you're in a BCT or SF unit. Support/sustainment units deploy less but still do field training. This is an operational base.

Q: What's the best neighborhood for families? A: Hope Mills or Gray's Creek. Good schools (7-8/10), safe, affordable, 15-20 min commute.

Q: Is it hot? How hot? A: Yes. 85-95°F June-September with 80%+ humidity. You'll run AC 6-8 months. Mild winters (40-55°F) with rare snow.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Yes, but it's a military town so salaries are lower. Healthcare (Cape Fear Valley) and on-base contracting are best bets. Remote work is king if possible.

Q: What's there to do? A: On-base: good gyms, pools, golf. Off-base: breweries, Cape Fear River, day trips to Raleigh/beaches/mountains. Fayetteville itself is meh but surrounding areas are nice.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

This guide gave you the local intel. Now use our premium tools to execute:

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Official Resources & References

This guide synthesizes data from official Department of Defense sources. For additional information:

• Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) - Official military pay and allowances
• Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) - PCS entitlements and regulations
• MilitaryOneSource - Free 24/7 counseling and family support
• Defense Travel Management Office - Official BAH rates and per diem

Last verified: 2025-11-10. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.