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

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Fort Eisenhower (renamed from Fort Gordon in 2023) is the Army's Cyber Center of Excellence with 18,000 active duty personnel and 25,000 civilians. This is where cyber warriors are made.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Comfortable fit (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house in good areas)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,400/month (affordable)
• School Quality: Live in Columbia County (8-9/10 schools) or Aiken, SC (7-8/10), avoid Richmond County GA (4-6/10)

What This Guide Covers: Housing neighborhoods with real prices, school ratings by name, Augusta-area local intel, and cyber mission realities.

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

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Fort Eisenhower (Fort Gordon until May 2023)
• Location: Augusta, GA (Richmond County) / extends into Columbia County
• Size: 56,000 acres
• Population: 18,000 active duty + 25,000 civilians + 35,000 family members
• Branch: Army (Cyber Center of Excellence)
• Major Units: U.S. Army Cyber Command, Cyber School, Signal School, NSA Georgia
• Climate: Hot humid summers (90-95°F), mild winters (40-60°F)
• Nearest Major City: Augusta, GA (adjacent) / Columbia, SC (70 miles)

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BAH Rates

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

Key Insight: BAH comfortably covers rent in Columbia County (GA side) and Aiken (SC side). Augusta proper (Richmond County) is cheaper but schools are significantly worse. Your BAH goes furthest in Aiken, SC (15-20 min commute).

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

🏆 Tier 1 - Best for Families (Live Here)

Columbia County, GA (North Augusta area - GA side):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,500/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to main gate
• Schools: 8-9/10 (Columbia County schools)
• Vibe: Suburban, family-friendly, newer developments
• Best Neighborhoods: Evans, Grovetown, Martinez
• Why: Best schools in the area, safe, military-friendly, BAH covers rent

Aiken, SC (South Carolina side):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,300/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to Gate 1
• Schools: 7-8/10 (Aiken County schools)
• Vibe: Horse country, Southern charm, historic downtown
• Best Areas: North Augusta, New Ellenton
• Why: Most affordable, good schools, pockets BAH with $200+ buffer

⚠️ Tier 2 - Livable But Research Carefully

Augusta, GA (Richmond County - closer but worse schools):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,200/month
• Commute: 5-15 minutes depending on side
• Schools: 4-6/10 (Richmond County schools - avoid)
• Vibe: Urban, diverse, some rough areas
• Safe Pockets: West Augusta (near I-520), Summerville area
• Trade-off: Closer commute but sacrifice schools

❌ Tier 3 - Avoid Unless You Know What You're Doing

South Augusta / Laney-Walker:

• High crime, poor schools, not worth the $200/month savings
• Even short commute doesn't justify the risk

Pro Tip: Most families choose Columbia County (GA) or Aiken (SC). Single soldiers or couples without kids can save money in West Augusta, but families should prioritize schools. The 15-minute commute to Columbia County is worth it.

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Schools

Top Elementary Schools

• Stevens Creek Elementary (Columbia County) - 9/10 - Evans area
• Cedar Ridge Elementary (Aiken, SC) - 8/10 - Aiken
• Brookwood Elementary (Columbia County) - 8/10 - Grovetown

Top Middle Schools

• Riverside Middle (Columbia County) - 8/10 - Evans
• Leavelle McCampbell Middle (Aiken, SC) - 7/10 - Aiken

Top High Schools

• Lakeside High (Columbia County) - 9/10 - Evans
• Greenbrier High (Columbia County) - 8/10 - Evans
• Aiken High (Aiken, SC) - 7/10 - Aiken

Schools to Avoid

• Richmond County Schools (Augusta proper) - 4-6/10 - Low test scores, funding issues
• Butler High (Augusta) - 5/10 - Avoid unless in magnet program

School District Strategy: Columbia County (GA side) has the best schools (8-9/10). Aiken County (SC side) is solid (7-8/10). Richmond County (Augusta proper) is weak (4-6/10). Live in Columbia County or Aiken for your kids' sake.

For live school ratings and neighborhood analysis: Base Navigator →

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Local Intel (What You Actually Need to Know)

Cost of Living

Overall: -8% lower — More affordable than most of US
Housing: -12% lower — BAH covers rent with buffer
Groceries: -5% lower — Commissary is solid
Gas: -3% lower — Cheaper than national average

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in Columbia County): $1,500
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $200
• Groceries: $800
• Gas (commute + errands): $150
• Internet/Streaming: $100
• Kids (activities, daycare part-time): $400

Total: ~$3,150/month (E5 BAH + BAS covers housing + groceries, pocket $200-300/month)

State Taxes

• Georgia: 5.75% state income tax (flat rate)
• South Carolina: 0-6.5% (graduated, but military pay exempt up to $15,000)
• Military Benefit: Active duty can claim home state of record (tax advantage if from no-income-tax state)

BAH Reality: E5 with dependents BAH comfortably covers 3BR in Columbia County or Aiken with $100-300 left over. Live in Augusta proper and you'll pocket $300-400, but school quality suffers.

Pro Tip: Aiken, SC side often gives you the best of both worlds—lower rent ($1,300 vs $1,500 in Columbia County) with decent schools (7-8/10). Many families pocket $200-300/month this way.

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: 7-8:30am, 4-6pm (moderate, not terrible)
• Best Gates: Gate 1 (north) if living in Columbia County/Aiken
• Worst Gate: Gate 5 (south/Augusta side) - can back up
• Pro Tip: I-520 loop around Augusta is your friend for avoiding base traffic

Commissary & PX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings, early afternoons
• Worst Times: Weekends (packed), paydays (madhouse)
• Off-Base Alternative: Publix (great), Kroger (solid), Aldi (cheap)

Things You Should Know

• Fort Gordon → Fort Eisenhower name change is official (May 2023), but locals still call it Gordon
• Cyber mission = different vibe than combat arms posts (lots of civilians, contractors, tech culture)
• NSA Georgia is on post—you'll need clearances for many jobs
• Augusta Masters (golf tournament) week in April—traffic nightmare, hotels 5x price
• Summer heat + humidity is brutal (100°F+ with 80% humidity)

Hidden Gems

• Savannah River Brewing (North Augusta, SC) - Best local brewery
• Surrey Tavern (Augusta) - Dive bar legend, cheap wings
• Piedmont Park (Evans) - Great for families
• Weekend Trips: Savannah (2 hours), Charleston (2.5 hours), Atlanta (2.5 hours)

Areas to Avoid

• South Augusta after dark (high crime)
• Laney-Walker area (dangerous)
• Richmond County schools (poor performance)

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What's It Like to Live at Fort Eisenhower?

Fort Eisenhower is the Cyber Center of Excellence—this is where the Army trains signal, cyber, and intelligence soldiers. If you're expecting a traditional combat arms post, this ain't it. The vibe is more "tech campus" than "warrior culture." Lots of civilians, contractors, and people with TS/SCI clearances. Deployment tempo varies wildly—cyber units may deploy to Kuwait or stay CONUS doing offensive cyber ops.

Mission Reality:

• Cyber/Signal Units: Moderate deployment tempo (6-9 months every 2-3 years, but varies by unit)
• NSA Georgia: Mostly CONUS work, occasional OCONUS rotations
• Training Base: Constant PCS turnover (students rotating through 6-month cyber courses)

Quality of Life:

• Affordable: BAH covers rent with $100-300 buffer in good areas
• School Divide: Columbia County/Aiken = 7-9/10 schools, Augusta = 4-6/10 (make the right choice)
• Location: 2 hours to Savannah, Charleston, or Atlanta (great weekend options)
• Heat: Summer is oppressive (95-100°F, high humidity), get used to AC

The Good:

• BAH goes far—you'll pocket money if you're smart
• No state income tax on military pay if SC resident
• Cyber mission = more predictable schedule than infantry
• Augusta is growing (new restaurants, breweries opening)

The Not-So-Good:

• Summer heat + humidity is miserable (6 months of AC)
• Richmond County schools are terrible (live in Columbia County or Aiken)
• Masters Week traffic is a nightmare
• Post feels like a tech office park, not a traditional base

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: -8% lower — More affordable than most of US
Housing: -12% lower — BAH covers rent with buffer
Groceries: -5% lower — Commissary + Publix are solid
Transportation: -3% lower — Gas cheaper, car insurance reasonable

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base): $1,500 (Columbia County)
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $200
• Groceries: $800
• Gas (commute + errands): $150
• Internet/Cable: $100
• Childcare (part-time): $400
• Car Insurance: $150
• Misc (restaurants, entertainment): $200

Total: ~$3,500/month
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,800/month (covers housing + food, pocket $300)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH comfortably covers 3BR in Columbia County ($1,500) or Aiken ($1,300). Live in Augusta proper and pocket $300-400, but sacrifice school quality.

Savings Potential: Modest—can pocket $200-300/month with smart choices (Aiken vs Columbia County, cook at home, avoid Masters Week tourist traps).

Pro Tips:

• Aiken, SC rent is $200 cheaper than Columbia County with 7-8/10 schools (sweet spot)
• Commissary saves 20-30% vs off-base (use it)
• SC residents avoid state income tax on military pay (claim SC residency if eligible)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Augusta's economy revolves around Fort Eisenhower, healthcare (Augusta University Medical Center), and manufacturing. Cyber/IT jobs are plentiful on-post (contractors), but off-post civilian jobs are mostly healthcare or retail. Remote work is your best bet if you want flexibility.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. On-Base Contractors: Booz Allen, CACI, Leidos (IT, cyber, admin - $50K-90K)
2. Healthcare: Augusta University Health (RN $60K-75K, admin $35K-50K)
3. Education: Columbia County Schools, Aiken County Schools (teachers start $40K)
4. Retail/Service: Publix, Target, Walmart (flexible hours, $25K-35K)
5. Remote Work: Best option—many spouses work remote for Atlanta/Charlotte companies

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $60,000-75,000
• On-base contractor (IT/admin): $50,000-80,000
• Retail management: $28,000-40,000
• Teaching (GA): $40,000-50,000
• Remote work (varies): $45,000-70,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Fort Eisenhower has large NAF workforce (child development, fitness, MWR)
• Army Community Service has job assistance programs
• MyCAA grants available for education/certifications
• Cyber spouse networking groups very active (IT/tech focus)

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 6-12 months (get on list at PCS orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $150-225/week per child (moderate)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $125-200/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $100-150/week

For Families:

• Schools: Columbia County or Aiken (prioritize this)
• Activities: Evans YMCA, Grovetown rec center, Augusta Riverwalk
• Support: Strong spouse community (cyber focus, tech-savvy)

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Common Questions About Fort Eisenhower

Q: Is Fort Eisenhower a good duty station? A: If you're cyber/signal/intel, yes—this is THE place for career progression. If you're combat arms stuck here for broadening, it'll feel slow. Housing is affordable, schools are good in the right areas (Columbia County/Aiken), and the cyber mission is unique. Just don't expect a traditional Army experience—this is tech culture, not infantry culture.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base is better for most. On-base housing is 6/10 quality with waitlists. Live in Columbia County (GA) or Aiken (SC) for 7-9/10 schools, 15-minute commute, and you'll pocket $100-300/month from BAH. Only live on-base if you're brand new to the Army and need the convenience.

Q: What's the difference between Columbia County and Aiken? A: Columbia County (GA side) has slightly better schools (8-9/10) but costs $200 more in rent ($1,500 vs $1,300). Aiken (SC side) has good schools (7-8/10), lower cost, and SC residents avoid state income tax on military pay. Most families pick one of these two—both are solid choices.

Q: How bad is Augusta proper (Richmond County)? A: Schools are 4-6/10 (avoid for families with kids). Crime is higher in south Augusta. West Augusta has safe pockets, but even then, you're sacrificing school quality to save $200-300/month. Not worth it if you have kids.

Q: Can I avoid deployments at Fort Eisenhower? A: Depends on your unit. Cyber/signal units deploy (6-9 months every 2-3 years, often Kuwait or Europe). NSA Georgia is mostly CONUS. If you're at the schoolhouse as cadre, deployments are rare. This isn't Fort Bragg—deployment tempo is moderate, not constant.

Q: What's the cyber mission like? A: Different from traditional Army. Lots of civilians, contractors, and TS/SCI cleared folks. Work is often classified, technical, and office-based. If you're expecting field time and combat training, you'll be disappointed. If you like IT/cyber work, this is the best place in the Army for career progression.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Yes, especially in cyber/IT (on-base contractors), healthcare (Augusta University Health), or remote work. Local civilian job market is limited to retail/service unless you have clearances or healthcare skills. Remote work is the best option for flexibility and pay.

Q: What's the cost of living? A: 8% below national average. BAH covers rent with $100-300 buffer. Gas, groceries, and utilities are reasonable. No state income tax for SC residents on military pay. You can save money here if you're smart (Aiken vs Columbia County, commissary vs Publix, etc).

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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)

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• Real-time housing prices
• Current school ratings
• Weather patterns
• Neighborhood rankings

2. Your Personal PCS Plan

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Planning your PCS? Our PCS Copilot → generates your custom 180-day timeline with JTR-compliant entitlements and finance-office-ready documentation.

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3. Paycheck Audit

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• BAH/BAS verification
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4. Ask the Expert

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• Fort Eisenhower-specific questions
• Spouse employment intel
• School district comparisons

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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.