---
title: 'Army Bases in Texas: Fort Hood, Fort Bliss and 2026 BAH'
slug: army-bases-in-texas
description: >-
  See Army bases in Texas, from Fort Hood and Fort Bliss to JBSA-Fort Sam
  Houston, with 2026 BAH rates. Have orders? Talk with a Texas agent who gets
  PCS moves.
publishedAt: '2026-10-13T09:00:00.000Z'
updatedAt: '2026-10-18T00:00:00.000Z'
author: Mario Rodriguez
categories:
  - U.S. Military Bases
  - PCS Help
canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/army-bases-in-texas'
componentSlug: us-military-bases
stateSlug: texas
---
# Army Bases in Texas: Fort Hood, Fort Bliss and 2026 BAH

There are three major Army bases in Texas, plus two Army depots and a state Guard headquarters, and together they cover everything from tank brigades to helicopter repair. If you have PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders to Texas, this guide shows where each post sits, what it is known for, and what your 2026 BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) looks like nearby. For Air Force, Navy and other posts too, see our full guide to [what military bases are in Texas](/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-texas).

## Army Bases in Texas, at a Glance

| Installation | Nearest city | Size | Best known for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fort Hood | Killeen | More than 340 square miles | III Armored Corps and 1st Cavalry Division |
| Fort Bliss | El Paso | About 1.12 million acres | 1st Armored Division |
| JBSA-Fort Sam Houston | San Antonio | Part of JBSA's 67 square miles | Army North, Army South and Army medicine |
| Red River Army Depot | Texarkana | More than 15,000 acres | Repairing ground combat and tactical vehicles |
| Corpus Christi Army Depot | Corpus Christi | 158 acres | Army helicopter overhaul and repair |
| Camp Mabry | Austin | Not published | Texas Military Department headquarters |

![Infographic of Army installations in Texas showing each post's nearest city, size and main mission](/images/blog/army-bases-in-texas/texas-army-installations.png)
*Source: Army, Military OneSource and Texas Military Department pages cited in this guide.*

## Fort Hood (Killeen)

Fort Hood sits between Killeen and Copperas Cove in Central Texas. It is about 60 miles north of Austin and 50 miles south of Waco, per the [Military OneSource Fort Hood overview](https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/fort-hood).

The post covers more than 340 square miles. It is home to III Armored Corps, the 1st Cavalry Division, First Army Division West and the 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command. More than 34,500 Soldiers and Airmen serve there, along with about 48,500 family members, per the [Fort Hood redesignation page](https://home.army.mil/hood/index.php/about/fort-cavazos-redesignation).

### Fort Hood or Fort Cavazos?

Both names are correct for different years. The post was renamed Fort Cavazos in 2023. On June 10, 2025, the Army renamed it Fort Hood again. This time the name honors Col. Robert B. Hood, a World War I hero. As a captain near Thiaucourt, France, he kept his artillery firing after enemy fire wiped out his gun crew, per the same [Army redesignation page](https://home.army.mil/hood/index.php/about/fort-cavazos-redesignation). You may still see "Fort Cavazos" on older orders, maps and websites.

To learn more about the area, read our [Fort Hood and Killeen PCS guide](/blog/pcs-to-fort-hood-killeen-2026-guide) and our list of the [best places to live near Fort Hood](/blog/best-places-to-live-near-fort-hood).

## Fort Bliss (El Paso)

Fort Bliss is the largest Army base in Texas by land. It covers about 1.12 million acres across Texas and New Mexico. Its main post sits right next to El Paso, per the [Military OneSource Fort Bliss overview](https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/fort-bliss).

The 1st Armored Division is the main unit. The post has deep roots, too. Troops first arrived in the El Paso area in 1848, and the name Fort Bliss dates to 1854, per the same page. It supports more than 176,000 people, including Soldiers, families, civilians and retirees.

Our [Fort Bliss and El Paso PCS guide](/blog/pcs-to-fort-bliss-el-paso-2026-guide) covers neighborhoods, schools and commutes.

Comparing Fort Hood, Fort Bliss and San Antonio? [Talk with a Texas agent who works with military families](https://www.veteranpcs.com/contact-agent?form=agent&fn=Mario&id=001Rg00000JR2vh&state=texas). There is no cost and no obligation.

## JBSA-Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio)

JBSA stands for Joint Base San Antonio. It joins Fort Sam Houston with Lackland and Randolph, which are Air Force sites. All of JBSA's locations together cover 67 square miles, per the [Military OneSource JBSA overview](https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/joint-base-san-antonio-lackland-randolph-sam-houston).

Fort Sam Houston sits northeast of downtown San Antonio. The Army set up a garrison in the city in 1845, and the post took the Fort Sam Houston name in 1890. Today it hosts:

- U.S. Army North
- U.S. Army South
- Brooke Army Medical Center
- The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
- The Medical Education and Training Campus, which trains more than 16,500 students a year

See our [Joint Base San Antonio PCS guide](/blog/pcs-to-joint-base-san-antonio-2026-guide) for housing tips. For JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Randolph and other Air Force sites, read our guide to [Air Force bases in Texas](/blog/air-force-bases-in-texas).

## Red River Army Depot (Texarkana)

Red River Army Depot is in Bowie County, near Texarkana. It opened in 1941 and covers more than 15,000 acres. Its workers repair ground vehicles such as the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, HMMWV (Humvee), HEMTT trucks, HIMARS rocket launchers and the Heavy Equipment Transporter, per the [Army article on Red River's missions](https://www.army.mil/article/249231/the_depot_with_a_thousand_missions).

## Corpus Christi Army Depot

Corpus Christi Army Depot, or CCAD, sits on Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. It opened in 1961 as the Army's first aviation maintenance center. Today it covers 158 acres and is the largest tenant on the Navy base. It repairs and overhauls UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache helicopters, per the [Army article on CCAD's history](https://www.army.mil/article/184097/ccad_celebrates_56_years_in_army_aviation). The same article calls it the largest helicopter depot-level repair center in the world.

## Camp Mabry (Austin)

Camp Mabry is not an active duty post. It is the Austin home of the Texas Military Department, the state agency formerly called the Adjutant General's Department. The state lists the department's address as 2200 W. 35th St., Camp Mabry, per the [Texas State Library agency profile](https://www.tsl.texas.gov/node/9697). The camp is also home to the Texas Military Forces Museum, per the [Texas Military Department museum page](https://tmd.texas.gov/museum).

## What BAH Covers Near Texas Army Bases

BAH is a monthly payment to help cover off-post rent or a mortgage. It is set by rank, location and whether you have dependents. Here are 2026 monthly rates from the [DTMO BAH rate lookup](https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/). DTMO is the Defense Travel Management Office.

| Location | Rate area | E-5 | E-7 | O-3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fort Hood | TX286 | $1,695 / $1,530 | $2,070 / $1,668 | $2,340 / $1,833 |
| Fort Bliss (El Paso) | TX279 | $1,809 / $1,437 | $2,172 / $1,668 | $2,202 / $2,022 |
| JBSA-Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio) | TX285 | $1,869 / $1,500 | $2,112 / $1,731 | $2,127 / $2,007 |
| Red River Army Depot | ZZ740 | $1,590 / $1,290 | $1,968 / $1,476 | $2,097 / $1,782 |
| Corpus Christi Army Depot | TX275 | $1,788 / $1,413 | $2,310 / $1,734 | $2,475 / $2,061 |

*Rates shown as with dependents / without dependents.*

![Grouped bar chart of 2026 with-dependents BAH for E-5, E-7 and O-3 at five Texas Army rate areas](/images/blog/army-bases-in-texas/texas-army-bah-2026.png)
*Source: DTMO BAH rate lookup, 2026 rates.*

Corpus Christi pays the most for E-7s and O-3s, while San Antonio pays the most for E-5s. The Red River area pays the least at every rank shown. Fort Hood O-3s get more than O-3s in San Antonio or El Paso. To see what these numbers mean for a home budget, read [how much house you can afford on BAH](/blog/how-much-house-can-you-afford-on-bah) and our look at [2026 BAH rates and what changed](/blog/2026-bah-rates-what-changed-and-how-to-check-yours).

## Buying a Home Near Texas Army Bases

**Use your VA loan.** A VA loan is a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In most cases it needs no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. Private lenders, like banks, make the loans, and VA backs part of each one, per [VA News on VA home loan basics](https://news.va.gov/140795/va-home-loan-basics-benefit-unique-advantages/). Our guide to [Texas VA loan benefits](/blog/texas-va-loan-benefits-for-military-homebuyers) walks through the steps.

**Plan for property taxes.** Texas has no personal income tax, which helps your paycheck. But local property taxes run high. Texas ranked sixth highest for effective property tax rate in 2020, per the [Texas Comptroller's report on property tax cuts](https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/archive/2023/dec/proptax.php). That same report notes the school homestead exemption rose from $40,000 to $100,000 in 2023. Disabled veterans may qualify for more savings, so see our guide to [Texas veteran property tax exemptions](/blog/texas-veteran-property-tax-exemptions-2026).

**Think about your next move.** You will likely PCS again. Pick a home that would be easy to rent or sell later. A local agent who knows military life can point out which neighborhoods hold their value.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How many Army bases are in Texas?

Texas has three major active duty Army posts: Fort Hood, Fort Bliss and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. It also has two Army depots, Red River and Corpus Christi, plus Camp Mabry, home of the Texas Military Department.

### Is it Fort Hood or Fort Cavazos?

It is Fort Hood. The post was called Fort Cavazos from 2023 until June 10, 2025. Now it is Fort Hood again, honoring World War I hero Col. Robert B. Hood.

### Which Army base in Texas is the largest?

Fort Bliss is the largest by land, at about 1.12 million acres across Texas and New Mexico. Fort Hood covers more than 340 square miles and has a very large Soldier population.

### Which Texas Army base has the highest BAH?

For 2026, Corpus Christi has the highest with-dependents rates for E-7 ($2,310) and O-3 ($2,475). San Antonio is highest for E-5 ($1,869).

### Can I use a VA loan near any Texas Army base?

Yes, if you are eligible and the home meets VA rules. The VA loan works anywhere in Texas, from Killeen to El Paso to Texarkana.

Know a Soldier with Texas orders? Share this guide with your military network.

*This content is for informational purposes. Consult a professional for personal financial decisions.*