The honest breakdown — so you can stop guessing and start planning.
This is the question I get most from families PCSing to Fort Hood: should we try for on-post housing, or go straight off-post?
The answer depends on your rank, family size, timeline — and which on-post neighborhood you’d be offered. Here’s what you actually need to know, no sugar-coating.
On-post housing is managed by Cavalry Family Housing (operated by Lendlease). Options include 2–5 bedroom single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes across several neighborhoods on and just off the installation.
Renovation update
A major renovation program has been underway across on-post neighborhoods — older homes replaced with newer, Energy Star-certified builds in some villages, while others still carry older inventory. Quality varies significantly by village — research the specific neighborhood before accepting an offer.
Waitlist placement is based on three things: rank, bedroom requirement (one bedroom per child is policy), and the date you departed your last duty station. You can only be on one list at a time. Once offered a home, you typically have 24 hours to accept or decline — declining removes you from the list.
Contact Cavalry Family Housing early: (254) 287-6434 or cavalryfh.com
Pros
No utilities — included in BAH allotment
Unbeatable commute for early PT
Built-in military family community
Maintenance handled — no contractor hunting
On-post amenities: commissary, PX, CDCs, MWR
Cons
Waitlist — may not be ready on arrival
Full BAH goes to Lendlease — zero pocket savings
Quality varies dramatically by village
Less square footage per dollar than off-post
On-post schools are Killeen ISD — not the top-rated district in the area
The majority of Fort Hood families choose off-post. The Central Texas market is one of the most affordable in the Army, and 2026 BAH rates cover it comfortably for most ranks.
~$1,695
E-5 w/deps BAH 2026
~$140
Avg $/sqft to buy
$1,100–$1,500
3BR rent range/mo
$200–$400
Potential monthly savings
On-post: BAH goes directly to Lendlease as rent. Utilities are included. You pay nothing, but you keep nothing.
Off-post renting: If your BAH exceeds rent plus utilities, you keep the difference. Many E-5+ families come out $200–$400/month ahead.
Off-post buying: With a VA loan (zero down, no PMI), a monthly mortgage on a starter home in Harker Heights or Killeen can come in near or below equivalent rent — and you build equity instead.
Pro tip
Use the BAH Calculator to see your exact 2026 rate, then compare it against current rentals and purchase prices in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Happy to walk through the math with you.
Can I apply for on-post housing before I have orders?
Yes — and you should. Your eligibility date is tied to when you departed your last duty station, not when you applied. Apply early at cavalryfh.com or (254) 287-6434.
What if there’s no housing available when I arrive?
You’ll live off-post while on the waitlist. Many families who planned to go on-post end up happily settled off-post and don’t look back. Always have a backup plan ready.
Can my spouse accept a home offer on my behalf?
Yes — with a Power of Attorney authorizing housing decisions, plus a valid dependent ID card.
What happens to my BAH if I live on-post?
It’s collected as an allotment by Cavalry Family Housing to cover rent. Utilities are included. You don’t receive BAH as cash while living on-post.
Is childcare better on-post or off-post?
On-post CDCs offer convenience, but waitlists are long. Apply through MilitaryChildCare.com as soon as you have orders — regardless of where you plan to live.
This is exactly the kind of conversation I have with families before they ever step foot in Central Texas.
