Fort Carson PCS Complete Guide

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Fort Carson is home to the 4th Infantry Division in Colorado Springs—a major city with mountains, low humidity, and 300+ days of sunshine. High deployment tempo for combat units. Cost of living is above national average but BAH covers most of it. Colorado Springs is military-friendly with outdoor paradise nearby.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Comfortable fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house with buffer for utilities)
• Median Rent (3BR house): $2,100/month
• Deployment Tempo: Very High (4th ID BCTs deploy 9-12 months every 18-24 months)
• State Income Tax: 4.40% (CO)
• Schools: 6-8/10 (District 20/Academy District are best)
• Climate: 300+ sunny days/year, low humidity, 40-80°F range
• Altitude: 6,035 ft—you'll feel it for 2-3 weeks

What This Guide Covers: This is your complete PCS intel for Fort Carson and Colorado Springs. You'll get real BAH rates, best neighborhoods ranked, actual school ratings, deployment tempo by unit, cost of living breakdown, spouse employment market, and honest answers to common questions. No fluff—just the intel you need to execute your move.

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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Quick Facts

• Location: Colorado Springs, CO (El Paso County)
• Major Units: 4th Infantry Division, 10th SFG(A), Fort Carson Mountain Post
• Population: ~27,000 active duty, ~60,000 total (with families)
• Installation Size: 137,000+ acres (one of the largest Army bases)
• Gates: 6 main gates (Gate 1 is main, Gate 20 for north access)
• Nearest Major City: Colorado Springs (adjacent)

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BAH Rates

Your BAH for Colorado Springs depends on rank and dependency status. Use this calculator to find your exact rate:

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

Reality Check: Median rent for a 3BR house in decent neighborhoods is $2,100/month. For E5 with dependents, BAH comfortably covers rent with a buffer for utilities. Higher ranks have more cushion.

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Housing: Best Neighborhoods Ranked

Top Tier (Best for Families)

1. Colorado Springs (North - District 20/Academy area) - 8-9/10 schools, safe, 20-25 min commute, $2,300-2,800/month

   • Best schools in the area (Air Force Academy District 20, Lewis-Palmer)
   • Safest neighborhoods (Briargate, Northgate)
   • Close to I-25, easy Gate 1 access

2. Fountain (south of base) - 7/10 schools, affordable, 10-15 min commute, $1,800-2,200/month

   • Closest to Gates 19/20
   • Military-heavy community (you'll fit in)
   • Fountain-Fort Carson School District (decent, improving)

3. Security-Widefield - 6-7/10 schools, affordable, 15-20 min commute, $1,700-2,000/month

   • South of base, easy Gate 19 access
   • More affordable, pocket some BAH
   • Widefield School District

Avoid

• East Colorado Springs - High crime, schools 4-5/10, not worth the savings
• Downtown Colorado Springs - Expensive, homeless population, traffic
• Pueblo (30 miles south) - Too far, rough town, not worth commute

On-Base Housing

• Quality: 6/10 (Balfour Beatty managed)
• Waitlist: 9-12 months for 3-4BR
• Cost: BAH auto-deducted
• Verdict: Off-base is better (schools, space, pocket money)

School District Info: District 20 (best - 8-9/10, Air Force Academy area), Lewis-Palmer (9/10, Monument area but far), Fountain-Fort Carson (7/10, close to base), Widefield (6-7/10, affordable). Register early. District 20 Schools

For live school ratings and neighborhood analysis: Base Navigator →

Local Intel (What You Actually Need to Know)

Cost of Living: Colorado Springs is 12-15% above national average. Groceries, gas, and utilities are all higher. But you're in a major city with mountains, low humidity, and 300+ sunny days/year—that's the trade-off.

Altitude: Fort Carson sits at 6,035 ft. You'll be winded for 2-3 weeks. Drink water constantly. Kids adjust faster. Sunscreen is mandatory (UV is stronger at altitude).

Traffic & Commuting: I-25 is the main artery. Rush hour 6:30-8:30am and 4-6pm is rough. Gate 1 (main gate) backs up 20-30 min during morning rush. Use Gate 20 (north) or Gate 19 (south) if possible.

Weather:

• 300+ sunny days/year (seriously, it's amazing)
• Summer: 80-95°F, low humidity, afternoon thunderstorms
• Winter: 30-55°F, snow melts fast, skiing 2 hours away
• Wind: Spring is windy (20-40 mph gusts are normal)

Commissary & Shopping:

• Commissary: On-base, decent size, worth using for staples
• Shopette: Multiple on-base
• Off-Base: King Soopers (Kroger), Walmart, Target everywhere

Healthcare:

• Evans Army Community Hospital (on-base): Primary care, ER, decent
• UCHealth Memorial (off-base): Better for specialists
• Tricare: Standard/Prime both work well here

Things to Do:

• Outdoor paradise: Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, hiking, skiing (Breckenridge 2 hours)
• Denver: 1 hour north (airport, pro sports, concerts, nightlife)
• Colorado Springs: Downtown, breweries, Old Colorado City
• Family activities: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Focus on the Family, Air Force Academy

Hidden Gems:

• Manitou Springs (artsy mountain town 15 min west)
• Garden of the Gods (free, stunning)
• Pikes Peak (drive to 14,115 ft summit)

Areas to Avoid:

• East Colorado Springs - High crime, sketchy
• South Academy Blvd - Strip clubs, pawn shops, avoid

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What's It Like to Live at Fort Carson?

Real Talk: Fort Carson is home to the 4th Infantry Division—one of the Army's most deployed units. If you're in a BCT, expect constant rotations. But you're living in Colorado Springs with mountains, 300 days of sunshine, and an incredible outdoor lifestyle. The altitude kicks your ass for 2 weeks, then you're golden.

Deployment Tempo:

• 4th ID BCTs: Very High—9-12 month deployments every 18-24 months, plus NTC rotations
• 10th SFG (Special Forces): Very High—constant det deployments, training cycles
• Combat Aviation: High—6-9 month deployments supporting BCTs
• Support Units: Moderate—fewer deployments but heavy field training schedule

Quality of Life:

• Good BAH Coverage: Rent leaves buffer for utilities and modest savings
• Outdoor Paradise: Pikes Peak, skiing, hiking—if you love outdoors, this is heaven
• Major City: Colorado Springs is 500K+ metro, not a small military town
• Altitude: 6,035 ft—you'll feel it, drink water constantly

The Good:

• 300+ sunny days/year, low humidity, incredible weather
• Mountains, hiking, skiing (Breck/Vail 2 hours), outdoor activities endless
• Denver 1 hour away (airport, pro sports, concerts, nightlife)
• Military-friendly culture, huge veteran population

The Not-So-Good:

• BAH is comfortable but not excessive—rent is $2,100, leaves modest buffer
• High deployment tempo = frequent family separations
• Altitude adjustment takes 2-3 weeks (you'll be winded)
• Colorado cost of living has climbed (housing, groceries all up)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: +12% higher — More expensive than most of US
Housing: +18% higher — BAH maxed out, tight fit
Groceries: +8% higher — King Soopers/Walmart help
Utilities: +10% higher — Heat in winter, AC in summer
Transportation: +5% higher — Gas $3-3.50/gal, insurance average
Healthcare: N/A — Tricare/Evans Army Community Hospital

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

• Rent: $2,100 (3BR house in Fountain/Security-Widefield)
• Utilities: $200-300 (electric/gas/water/internet—heat + AC needed)
• Groceries: $900 (family of 4, commissary + King Soopers mix)
• Gas: $200 (two cars, commute 15-25 min)
• Childcare: $800-1,200 (if needed—CDC waitlist 9-12 months)
• Entertainment: $300-400 (lots to do—hiking free, skiing adds up)
• Total: $4,500-5,200/month

BAH vs. Reality (E5 with dependents):

• Median Rent: $2,100/month (3BR house in Fountain/Security-Widefield)
• BAH Coverage: Comfortable fit—covers rent with buffer for utilities
• Savings Potential: Modest—can pocket some cash if you live affordably

State Taxes:

• Colorado: 4.40% flat state income tax
• Military pay is NOT exempt (you pay CO tax)
• No local income taxes

Pro Tips to Save Money:

• Shop King Soopers (Kroger) for produce/sales, commissary for meat
• Live in Fountain or Security-Widefield (save $200-400/month vs north)
• Use free outdoor activities (Garden of the Gods, hiking, base MWR)
• Denver trips add up fast—budget carefully
• Fort Carson MWR programs (pools, bowling, outdoor rec) are cheap

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Colorado Springs has a strong military + healthcare + tech economy. Defense contractors are everywhere (Northrop, Lockheed, Booz Allen). Denver (1 hour) has way better salaries but that commute gets old. Remote work is huge here.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. Healthcare: UCHealth, Centura Health, Penrose-St. Francis (RNs start $70K+)
2. Defense Contractors: Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen (admin, IT, engineering)
3. Tech/Remote: Verizon, USAA, remote positions for Denver/out-of-state companies
4. Education: District 20, Academy District, Lewis-Palmer (teachers start $50K)
5. Retail/Service: Target, King Soopers, Scheels (flexible hours)

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $70,000-85,000
• Defense contractor (admin): $45,000-60,000
• Tech/remote: $55,000-80,000
• Teaching (CO): $50,000-65,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Fort Carson has large NAF workforce (CDC, fitness, MWR)
• Army Community Service job assistance programs
• MyCAA grants available
• Spouse networking groups active (4th ID spouses especially)

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 9-12 months (get on list at PCS orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $200-350/week per child
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $175-300/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $100-200/week

For Families:

• Schools: Live in District 20/Academy area for best schools (8-9/10)
• Activities: Hiking, skiing, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Focus on the Family, Denver trips
• Support: 4th ID spouse community is strong—FRGs very active during deployments

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Common Questions About Fort Carson

Q: Is Fort Carson a good duty station? A: If you love the outdoors and can handle deployment tempo, it's one of the best. Colorado Springs is amazing—mountains, sunshine, skiing. But 4th ID deploys constantly and BAH is tight.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base in Fountain or Security-Widefield. On-base housing is 6/10 quality with long waitlists. Off-base gets you better schools and you can pocket a little BAH if you go affordable.

Q: How bad is the altitude really? A: You'll be winded for 2-3 weeks at 6,035 ft. Drink water constantly. Kids adjust faster. After that, you're fine. UV is stronger—wear sunscreen every day.

Q: Can I avoid deployments at Fort Carson? A: Not if you're in a 4th ID BCT. They deploy every 18-24 months for 9-12 months. Support units deploy less but still do NTC rotations. This is an operational base.

Q: What's the best neighborhood for families? A: North Colorado Springs (District 20/Academy area, 8-9/10 schools) if you can afford it ($2,300-2,800 rent). Fountain (7/10 schools, $1,800-2,200) if you want to save money.

Q: What's the weather like? A: 300+ sunny days/year, low humidity, 40-80°F most days. Winter is mild (snow melts fast). Spring is windy (20-40 mph gusts). It's incredible weather.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Yes—healthcare pays well ($70K+ for RNs), defense contractors hire constantly, remote work is huge. Job market is solid and spouse-friendly.

Q: What's there to do? A: Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, hiking, skiing (Breck 2 hours), Denver 1 hour, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. If you love outdoors, you'll never be bored. If you hate outdoors, you'll struggle.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

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

1. Interactive Data (Live Updates)

Base Navigator →

• Real-time housing prices
• Current school ratings
• Neighborhood analysis with commute times
• Family Fit Score for each ZIP code

2. Full PCS Planning

PCS Copilot →

• 180-day move timeline with your orders
• Entitlements calculator (DLA, DITY, travel days)
• Finance office submission checklist
• DD1299 and voucher prep

3. Verify Your Pay

LES Auditor →

• Upload your LES, check for errors
• Verify BAH is correct for Colorado Springs
• Catch FICA, state tax, or allowance mistakes

4. Ask Our AI Expert

Ask Military Expert →

• Get answers on PCS, entitlements, or Fort Carson specifics
• Powered by 6,539 military knowledge embeddings

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Questions? Drop a note in Ask Military Expert or email support@garrisonledger.com.

Good luck with your PCS. Welcome to Colorado!

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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: 2025-01-15. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.