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

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Fort Sill is the Army's Fires Center of Excellence with 14,000 active duty personnel. This is where artillery soldiers train and where field artillery careers are made.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Very comfortable (E5 BAH covers median 3BR house and pocket $300-500)
• Median 3BR Rent: $1,100/month (very affordable)
• School Quality: Live in Cache (8/10) or Elgin (7/10), avoid Lawton Public Schools (4-6/10)

What This Guide Covers: Housing neighborhoods with real prices, school ratings by name, Lawton-area local intel, and artillery 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 Sill
• Location: Lawton, OK (Comanche County)
• Size: 94,000 acres
• Population: 14,000 active duty + 5,000 civilians + 25,000 family members
• Branch: Army (Fires Center of Excellence)
• Major Units: 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, 214th Fires Brigade
• Climate: Hot summers (95-105°F), cold winters (20-40°F), tornadoes spring/summer
• Nearest Major City: Oklahoma City (90 miles north)

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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 with $300-500 left over for most ranks. Housing is cheap—Lawton is one of the most affordable duty stations. Live in Cache or Elgin for good schools, pocket serious money.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

🏆 Tier 1 - Best for Families (Live Here)

Cache, OK (Northeast of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,000/month
• Commute: 10-15 minutes to main gate
• Schools: 8/10 (Cache Public Schools)
• Vibe: Small town, quiet, family-oriented
• Best Streets: Near Cache High School area
• Why: Best schools in area, safe, tight-knit community, pocket $400-600/month from BAH

Elgin, OK (North of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $950/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to main gate
• Schools: 7/10 (Elgin Public Schools)
• Vibe: Rural, small-town charm, agricultural
• Best Areas: Central Elgin near schools
• Why: Good schools, even cheaper than Cache, pocket $500-700/month

⚠️ Tier 2 - Livable But Research Carefully

West Lawton (Near Fort Sill Blvd):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,100/month
• Commute: 5-10 minutes to gate
• Schools: 5-6/10 (Lawton Public Schools - hit or miss)
• Vibe: Suburban, mixed areas
• Safe Pockets: Neighborhoods west of Lee Blvd, near Cameron University
• Trade-off: Closer commute but weaker schools, more base traffic

Fletcher, OK (East of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $900/month
• Commute: 15 minutes
• Schools: 6/10 (Fletcher schools - small district)
• Vibe: Very small town, rural
• Why: Cheapest option, but schools and amenities limited

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

East Lawton / Downtown Lawton:

• Higher crime, poor schools (3-5/10), run-down areas
• Not worth the $100-200/month savings
• Many older buildings, limited amenities

Pro Tip: Cache is the sweet spot—best schools (8/10), 10-minute commute, pocket $400-600/month. Elgin is runner-up if you want to save even more. Avoid Lawton Public Schools unless you're in specific magnet programs.

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Schools

Top Elementary Schools

• Cache Elementary (Cache) - 8/10 - Best in area
• Elgin Elementary (Elgin) - 7/10 - Solid small-town school
• Bishop Elementary (Lawton) - 6/10 - One of better Lawton schools

Top Middle Schools

• Cache Middle School (Cache) - 8/10 - Strong academics
• Elgin Middle School (Elgin) - 7/10 - Good option

Top High Schools

• Cache High School (Cache) - 8/10 - Best high school near Fort Sill
• Elgin High School (Elgin) - 7/10 - Strong athletics, decent academics
• Eisenhower High (Lawton) - 6/10 - Lawton's best, but still behind Cache/Elgin

Schools to Avoid

• Lawton Public Schools (most) - 4-6/10 - Underfunded, low test scores
• MacArthur High (Lawton) - 5/10 - Struggling district

School District Strategy: Cache Public Schools (8/10) are the clear winner. Elgin (7/10) is solid if you want to save money. Lawton Public Schools (4-6/10) are weak—avoid unless you're in gifted/magnet programs. Fort Sill DoDEA schools on-base are 7/10 but have long waitlists.

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: -18% lower — One of most affordable duty stations
Housing: -25% lower — BAH covers rent with huge buffer
Groceries: -10% lower — Commissary + off-base savings
Gas: -8% lower — Cheaper than national average

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in Cache): $1,000
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $180
• Groceries: $700
• Gas (commute + errands): $120
• Internet/Streaming: $90
• Kids (activities, daycare part-time): $350

Total: ~$2,440/month (E5 BAH + BAS covers housing + groceries, pocket $500-700/month)

State Taxes

• Oklahoma: 0.5%-4.75% state income tax (graduated)
• Military Benefit: Active duty can claim home state of record (tax advantage if from no-income-tax state like TX or FL)

BAH Reality: E5 with dependents BAH is ~$1,500/month. Rent in Cache is $1,000. You'll pocket $500/month easily. This is one of the few posts where you can actually save serious money. Live in Elgin and pocket $600-700/month.

Pro Tip: Fort Sill is a money-saver post. Use the $400-600/month BAH buffer to pay off debt, save for PCS, or build emergency fund. Don't blow it on a lifted truck.

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: 7-8:30am, 4-5:30pm (moderate, base traffic only)
• Best Gates: Main Gate (north) for Cache/Elgin, Key Gate (west) for West Lawton
• Worst Gate: Randolph Gate (south) backs up mornings
• Pro Tip: Live in Cache = 10-minute commute, no traffic headaches

Commissary & PX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings, early afternoons
• Worst Times: Weekends (busy), paydays (packed)
• Off-Base Alternative: Walmart (everywhere), Braum's (local ice cream/groceries)

Things You Should Know

• Tornadoes: Spring/summer (March-June) = tornado season, have a shelter plan
• Wind: Oklahoma wind is relentless (20-30 mph constantly)
• Heat: Summer 100°F+ with dry heat (not humid like South)
• Artillery: You'll hear booms constantly (live fire ranges), get used to it
• Lawton: Not a destination city—strip malls, chain restaurants, Walmart culture
• Wildlife: Deer, wild hogs, rattlesnakes (watch kids outside)

Hidden Gems

• Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (20 min) - Hiking, buffalo, free camping
• Medicine Park (30 min) - Cute mountain town, swimming hole, restaurants
• Meers Store & Restaurant (40 min) - Famous Meers Burger (7 oz patty)
• Great Plains Coliseum - Rodeos, concerts, events
• Weekend Trips: Oklahoma City (90 min), Dallas (3 hours), Wichita Falls TX (1 hour)

Areas to Avoid

• East Lawton (high crime)
• Downtown Lawton after dark
• Anywhere with boarded-up windows (common in older Lawton areas)

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What's It Like to Live at Fort Sill?

Fort Sill is the Fires Center of Excellence—this is where field artillery soldiers train from Day 1. If you're field artillery (13-series MOS), you'll PCS here multiple times in your career. The base is historic (founded 1869), massive (94,000 acres), and artillery-focused. You'll hear booms constantly from live fire ranges. This is a training post—expect lots of students, high turnover, and a transient feel.

Mission Reality:

• Field Artillery Units: Moderate deployment tempo (9-12 months every 18-24 months, often Korea, Europe, or Middle East)
• Air Defense Units: Similar tempo (31st ADA Brigade deploys regularly)
• Training Base: Constant PCS turnover (AIT students, officers at Fires School)

Quality of Life:

• Affordable: You'll pocket $400-700/month from BAH (use it wisely)
• School Divide: Cache/Elgin = 7-8/10, Lawton = 4-6/10 (choose correctly)
• Location: Middle of nowhere—Oklahoma City 90 min, Dallas 3 hours
• Weather: Tornadoes spring, 100°F summer, 20°F winter, wind year-round

The Good:

• BAH goes far—you'll save money if you're smart
• Low cost of living (groceries, gas, housing all cheap)
• Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is beautiful (20 min away)
• Cache schools are solid (8/10)
• Strong artillery community (everyone knows everyone)

The Not-So-Good:

• Lawton is depressing (strip malls, poverty, not much to do)
• Weather extremes (tornadoes, heat, cold, wind)
• Lawton schools are terrible (4-6/10)
• Artillery noise 24/7 (booms, explosions, helicopters)
• Isolation (nearest decent city is 90 min away)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: -18% lower — One of cheapest duty stations in US
Housing: -25% lower — BAH covers rent with huge buffer
Groceries: -10% lower — Commissary + Walmart cheap
Transportation: -8% lower — Gas cheaper, car insurance reasonable

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in Cache): $1,000
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $180
• Groceries: $700
• Gas (commute + errands): $120
• Internet/Cable: $90
• Childcare (part-time): $350
• Car Insurance: $130
• Misc (restaurants, entertainment): $150

Total: ~$2,720/month
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$3,200/month (covers housing + food, pocket $480)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH (~$1,500) easily covers Cache rent ($1,000) with $500 left over. Live in Elgin ($950 rent) and pocket $550. This is a money-saving post.

Savings Potential: High—pocket $400-700/month easily. Use the buffer to pay off debt, save for next PCS, or build emergency fund. Don't waste it on a $50K truck.

Pro Tips:

• Cache = best schools + pocket $500/month
• Elgin = good schools + pocket $600/month (best value)
• Commissary saves 20-30% vs off-base (use it)
• Lawton has cheap entertainment (movie theater $8, bowling $15)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Lawton's economy revolves around Fort Sill, healthcare (Comanche County Memorial Hospital), and education (Cameron University). Civilian jobs are mostly retail, healthcare, or education. Remote work is your best bet if you want decent pay and flexibility.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. On-Base Contractors: AKIMA, Booz Allen, Vectrus (admin, IT, training support - $40K-65K)
2. Healthcare: Comanche County Memorial Hospital (RN $55K-70K, admin $30K-45K)
3. Education: Lawton Public Schools, Cache Schools (teachers start $38K)
4. Cameron University: Staff positions (admin, student services - $28K-40K)
5. Retail: Walmart, Target (flexible hours, $22K-30K)
6. Remote Work: Best option—work for OKC/Dallas companies remotely

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $55,000-70,000
• On-base contractor (admin/IT): $40,000-65,000
• Teaching (OK): $38,000-48,000
• Retail management: $25,000-35,000
• Remote work (varies): $40,000-65,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Fort Sill has large NAF workforce (CDC, fitness, MWR)
• Army Community Service has job assistance programs
• MyCAA grants available for education/certifications
• Spouse unemployment is high in Lawton (limited civilian market)

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 6-12 months (get on list immediately at PCS orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $120-180/week per child (affordable)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $100-150/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $80-120/week

For Families:

• Schools: Cache (8/10) or Elgin (7/10) - prioritize this
• Activities: Wichita Mountains (hiking, camping), Medicine Park (swimming)
• Support: Strong spouse community (artillery culture = tight-knit)

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Common Questions About Fort Sill

Q: Is Fort Sill a good duty station? A: For field artillery soldiers, yes—this is THE place for career progression and training. For everyone else, it's hit-or-miss. Housing is dirt cheap (pocket $400-700/month), but Lawton is depressing and isolated. Live in Cache for good schools, accept the middle-of-nowhere vibe, and save money for your next PCS.

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 Cache ($1,000 rent, 8/10 schools) and pocket $500/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 Cache and Elgin? A: Cache has slightly better schools (8/10 vs 7/10) and is 5 minutes closer to base, but costs $50-100 more per month. Elgin is more rural, cheaper ($950 rent), and pockets more BAH ($600/month). Both are solid—Cache for best schools, Elgin for max savings.

Q: How bad is Lawton really? A: It's rough. High poverty, weak schools (4-6/10), strip malls, and not much to do. Lawton isn't dangerous like South Side Chicago, but it's depressing—think dying Oklahoma town with Walmart culture. Live in Cache or Elgin and only go to Lawton for errands.

Q: Can I avoid deployments at Fort Sill? A: No. If you're in a field artillery or air defense unit, expect 9-12 month deployments every 18-24 months (Korea, Europe, Middle East). If you're at the Fires School as cadre, deployment tempo is lower but still happens. This is a combat arms post—deployments are part of the deal.

Q: What about tornadoes? A: Real threat in spring/summer (March-June). Have a shelter plan (on-base shelters, tornado-safe rooms in newer homes, or bathtub with mattress). Sirens go off regularly—locals ignore them unless it's serious. Download weather app, have emergency kit, and don't panic.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Limited options. On-base contractor jobs (admin, IT) pay $40K-65K but require clearances. Healthcare (RN) pays $55K-70K. Teaching pays $38K-48K. Retail is everywhere but low pay ($22K-30K). Remote work is the best option for flexibility and pay—many spouses work remotely for OKC or Dallas companies.

Q: What's the cost of living? A: 18% below national average—one of the cheapest duty stations. BAH covers rent with $400-700 buffer. Gas, groceries, utilities all cheap. You can save serious money here if you're disciplined. Use the BAH buffer to pay off debt or save for next PCS.

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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
• Weather patterns
• Neighborhood rankings

2. Your Personal PCS Plan

PCS Copilot →

• Custom 180-day timeline
• Document checklist
• JTR-compliant entitlements
• Finance office ready

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

Based on Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Official regulations →

3. Paycheck Audit

LES Auditor →

• Scan for missing entitlements
• BAH/BAS verification
• Tax withholding check

4. Ask the Expert

Ask Military Expert →

• Fort Sill-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.