Fort Hood — officially renamed Fort Cavazos in 2023, then renamed back to Fort Hood on July 28, 2025 — is one of the largest Army installations in the world. With roughly 36,000 active-duty personnel and III Corps headquarters, it generates more PCS moves per year than almost any installation in the Army. If you’re inbound, you’re about to make a housing decision that will affect your family’s daily life for the next two to three years. This guide is built to help you make it well.
The central question for most inbound families: do you live close to the gate in Killeen or Harker Heights, or do you drive the extra miles to Temple or Belton for better schools, stronger property values, and a different quality of life? There’s no universally right answer — but there is a right answer for your situation, and this guide gives you the data to find it.
Fort Hood / Fort Cavazos — Housing At a Glance (2026)
- Active duty: ~36,000 personnel · III Corps HQ
- Temple distance: ~29 miles · 30–35 min from front gate
- Belton distance: ~22–24 miles · 25–30 min
- Temple median sold: $260,025 (March 2026 MLS)
- Belton median sold: $324,208 (March 2026 MLS)
- Killeen median sold: $227,500 (March 2026 MLS)
- 2026 BAH increase: 4.2% over 2025
- VA loan: 0% down, no PMI — major advantage here
- Belton ISD rating: Significantly above Temple ISD
- No state income tax: Texas advantage
The Two Housing Strategies — And Which One Is Right for You
Every inbound family to Fort Hood faces the same fundamental decision. Here it is framed clearly:
Short Commute — Killeen / Harker Heights
Live 5–20 minutes from the gate. More time at home, less fuel cost, easier for early PT and late duty days.
Long-Term Value — Temple / Belton
Drive 25–35 minutes to the gate. Gain access to top-rated Belton ISD, lower crime, stronger appreciation, and a diversified rental market when you PCS out.
The smart play for most families who are thinking about keeping the property as a rental after their next PCS: Temple or Belton. Fort Hood’s market cycles heavily with troop levels — when the base is at low occupancy, Killeen rental demand drops fast. Temple and Belton rent to BSW employees, UMHB students, and civilians regardless of what’s happening at the installation.
Market Comparison — Real Numbers From March 2026 MLS Data
| City | Median Sold | Gate Distance | School District | Crime Index | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen | $227,500 | 5–15 min | Killeen ISD | Higher | Budget buyers, short commute priority |
| Harker Heights | $325,250 | 10–20 min | Killeen ISD | Lower than Killeen | Short commute + safer neighborhood |
| Copperas Cove | $246,474 | 15–25 min | Copperas Cove ISD | Moderate | Rural lots, lowest rents |
| Temple | $260,025 | 30–35 min | Temple / Belton ISD* | Low | Value buyers, BSW dual-career families |
| Belton | $324,208 | 25–30 min | Belton ISD | Lowest in region | Families, long-term investment, top schools |
*Some west Temple addresses are zoned Belton ISD — always verify the specific parcel. Source: Central Texas MLS, March 2026.
2026 BAH Rates — What Your Housing Allowance Buys You
Fort Hood BAH increased 4.2% in 2026. Here are the with-dependent rates for the most common pay grades — these are the numbers that determine your effective home-buying budget when using a VA loan.
An E-7 BAH of $2,070/month supports roughly a $270K–$290K purchase on a VA loan at current rates, depending on property taxes and insurance. That comfortably opens Temple and starts to reach into entry-level Belton — which is why the Temple/Belton strategy works for most E-6 and above.
VA Loan Advantage — Use It
- 0% down payment — no down payment required on a VA loan
- No PMI — private mortgage insurance is not required, saving $100–$200/month vs. conventional
- Competitive rates — VA loans typically carry lower rates than conventional loans
- Closing costs — still apply, but can often be negotiated into the purchase price in the current buyer’s market
- Verify your COE (Certificate of Eligibility) before you start shopping — Moody works with VA-experienced lenders who can run this quickly
Why Temple and Belton Make Sense for Fort Hood Families
The 25–35 minute commute is a real tradeoff. Here’s what you get for it — and why a growing number of military families are making that drive.
-
Belton ISD significantly outperforms Killeen ISD
If school quality is a priority — and for families with kids, it usually is — Belton ISD is in a different tier than the Killeen-area options. Consistent academic performance, lower turnover, more stable student population because it draws from a civilian-majority community.
-
Dual-career families near BSW are common
Fort Hood + Baylor Scott & White is one of the most common dual-income combinations in Bell County. Nurses, medical techs, and healthcare administrators stationed here for their spouse’s service find that Temple puts both careers in reach.
-
Stronger rental market when you PCS out
This is the one most people don’t think about until they’re gone. Killeen’s rental market lives and dies with Fort Hood troop levels. Temple and Belton rent to BSW employees, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students, and the broader Central Texas workforce — a far more stable tenant pool.
-
I-14 / US-190 corridor is improving
The drive from Temple to Fort Hood runs US-190 west — a straight, low-traffic highway. Off-peak, 30 minutes is realistic. Early morning PT hours even faster. It’s not I-35 traffic; it’s Central Texas highway driving.
-
Lake Belton is in your backyard
7,375 acres of lake, 136 miles of shoreline, boating, fishing, camping. For military families who want outdoor access, Belton delivers it in a way Killeen simply doesn’t.
Renting vs. Buying at Fort Hood — The Honest Breakdown
The conventional wisdom in military circles is to rent unless you’re staying three or more years. Here’s the updated math for this specific market.
Reasons to buy near Fort Hood
- VA loan is zero down. The main barrier to buying — down payment — doesn’t exist for eligible service members. Your BAH can cover most or all of the mortgage payment.
- It’s a buyer’s market. 95–109 average days on market, real negotiating room. This is not the 2021 environment.
- The rental math works on exit. Especially in Temple and Belton, you can almost certainly rent the property for what you’re paying on the mortgage — keeping equity while deployed or at your next duty station.
- Three-year assignments are common. III Corps units run longer assignments than many other posts. Three years is typically enough to come out ahead on a purchase versus renting.
Reasons to rent first
- You’ve never lived in this area. Six months of renting tells you whether you actually want a shorter Killeen commute or can live with the Temple drive.
- High deployment tempo. If you’re in a 1st Cav unit with a likely deployment in year one, managing a house purchase remotely adds stress. Rent, deploy, buy on return.
- Short assignment. If you have reason to believe it’s a 1–2 year assignment, the math on buying gets tighter. Run the numbers with Moody before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fort Hood. The installation was renamed Fort Cavazos in May 2023, then officially restored to Fort Hood on July 28, 2025, now honoring Col. Robert Benjamin Hood, a WWI hero. You’ll still see Fort Cavazos on older signage, websites, and documents — both names are understood, and most locals still use both interchangeably.
Approximately 29 miles from downtown Temple to the Fort Hood front gate, typically 30–35 minutes via US-190 West. Belton is slightly closer at 22–24 miles, approximately 25–30 minutes. Both routes are highway driving with minimal traffic compared to metro areas — the commute is significantly more manageable than the mileage suggests to people used to city traffic.
2026 BAH rates for Fort Hood with dependents: E-5 $1,695/month, E-6 $1,920/month, E-7 $2,070/month, O-3 $2,340/month. Rates increased 4.2% from 2025. Verify your exact rate at the DoD BAH lookup (defensetravel.dod.mil) — amounts vary by pay grade and dependency status.
Depends on your priorities. Killeen gives you a 5–15 minute commute and a lower price floor. Temple and Belton give you better schools (Belton ISD), lower crime, stronger long-term appreciation, and a more diversified rental market when you PCS out. Most families with children who plan to keep the property as a rental choose Temple or Belton. Most unaccompanied E-4s and below choose Killeen or Harker Heights.
Yes. VA loans have no geographic restriction within the U.S. You can use your VA loan benefit to purchase in Temple, Belton, or anywhere else in Bell County. The 0% down, no PMI advantage is significant — especially in Temple where a $260K median home with a VA loan has a monthly payment that often comes in near your BAH rate.
Killeen and Harker Heights are served by Killeen ISD. Copperas Cove has its own ISD. Temple has Temple ISD (which includes a strong IB program). Belton is served by Belton ISD, which consistently outperforms the other districts academically and is the top choice for families who prioritize school quality over commute length.
In Temple or Belton, often yes — especially with a VA loan. The key is the rental math on exit: both cities have strong civilian rental demand from BSW, UMHB, and the broader Central Texas workforce. Many military homeowners in Temple and Belton successfully convert their homes to rentals when they PCS, covering the mortgage and building equity while stationed elsewhere. Always run the specific numbers with Moody before committing.
Get a Free Military Relocation Consultation
Moody works with VA loans, understands PCS timelines, and knows the Temple and Belton markets inside out. Tell him your situation — he’ll give you straight answers, not a sales pitch.