Discover Goldsboro BAH Rates, Housing, Education, & Cost of Living
Find housing, employment, cost-of-living, and BAH rates for Goldsboro, NC. Listed below are BAH Rates, college and universities, cost-of-living information, school resources for children of military families, and things to see and do in the Goldsboro area.
The military installations near Goldsboro include the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The base occupies 3,300 acres and is named after U.S. Navy Lt. Seymour A. Johnson, a test pilot from Goldsboro who died in a F4F Wildcat crash in Maryland in 1941.
Goldsboro NC BAH Rates
| Paygrade | With | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,365 | $1,197 |
| E02 | $1,365 | $1,197 |
| E03 | $1,365 | $1,197 |
| E04 | $1,365 | $1,197 |
| E05 | $1,368 | $1,299 |
| E06 | $1,644 | $1,368 |
| E07 | $1,755 | $1,386 |
| E08 | $1,875 | $1,422 |
| E09 | $2,028 | $1,521 |
| W01 | $1,662 | $1,383 |
| W02 | $1,806 | $1,419 |
| W03 | $1,953 | $1,524 |
| W04 | $2,058 | $1,668 |
| W05 | $2,187 | $1,782 |
| O01E | $1,776 | $1,392 |
| O02E | $1,929 | $1,482 |
| O03E | $2,076 | $1,635 |
| O01 | $1,401 | $1,365 |
| O02 | $1,641 | $1,389 |
| O03 | $1,950 | $1,539 |
| O04 | $2,229 | $1,755 |
| O05 | $2,424 | $1,824 |
| O06 | $2,442 | $1,932 |
| O07 | $2,460 | $1,962 |
Local Colleges and Universities
The Goldsboro area is home to several colleges and universities. Below is a partial list.
To find more Goldsboro schools, use the free CollegeRecon School Finder tool.
For children of veterans, it is important to know that the state of North Carolina offers scholarships to qualifying individuals through the North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans.
Using Your GI Bill
Anyone considering using the Post 9/11 GI Bill in Goldsboro should know the following:
- You may be eligible for Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) if you are a full-time student.
- MHA is comparable to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents.
- MHA is calculated based on the zip code of where you physically attend most of your classes.
- Those attending only online classes receive a set MHA of approximately $1,054 (in 2023)
- Up to $1,000 is available each year for books and supplies.
- The Post 9/11 GI Bill can be transferred to a spouse or dependents but you must still be on active duty to transfer.
- The Yellow Ribbon Program offers financial support in specific situations where the GI Bill does not fully cover the cost of tuition at participating colleges.
Cost of Living Goldsboro, NC
According to Bestplaces, Goldsboro, North Carolina has an overall cost of living index of 82.2 percent, making it less expensive than both the state and national averages. The cost of housing is particularly low coming in at 54.3 percent compared to the 83.1 percent average in the state of North Carolina.
Category/Index
- Overall – 82.2
- Housing – 54.3
- Groceries – 93.8
- Transportation – 72.6
- Utilities – 97.9
Other categories to consider
- Healthcare
- Taxes
- Childcare
Goldsboro, NC Housing
Goldsboro is located between Raleigh and the coast in Eastern North Carolina. The low cost of living and historic southern charm makes Goldsboro a pleasant place to live. For families who do not live on the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, finding the right neighborhood to call home is important. Some of the top places to live in the Goldsboro area with the corresponding average home sale price include:
- Mar-Mac ($167,166)
- Adamsville ($143,962)
- Saulston ($143,962)
- Greenleaf (132,771)
According to Realtor.com, the average sale price of a home in Goldsboro as of December 2023 is approximately $229,500 and the market is considered to be a seller’s market indicating that there are more people looking to buy than homes available.
To learn more about VA Loan Program benefits, you can get a free eligibility assessment from our VA loan partner.
Primary Education
There are no DoDEA schools located on the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. School aged children of families who live on base will attend Meadow Lane Elementary, Greenwood Middle School or Eastern Wayne High School. Children who do not live on base can attend schools in the nearby area. According to Greatschools.org, some of local primary schools include:
- Dillard Academy Charter School
- Carver Heights Elementary School
- Tommy’s Road Elementary School
Employment Opportunities
When moving to a new location, having an understanding of the employment landscape is an essential for proper decision making. The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is a major employer in the Goldsboro area with 530 active-duty officers, 3,000 enlisted service members, and over 1,000 civilian employees. Beyond this, the top industries that employ Goldsboro residents include:
- Business and Financial Services
- Architecture and Engineering
- Community and Social Services
- Law
- Education
- Healthcare
It is important to note that over the last year, Goldsboro has seen a job market decrease of -0.4 percent and future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 21.5 percent, which is lower than the national average of 33.5 percent. Additionally, the unemployment rate is 7.1 percent, which is slightly higher than the national average. While this employment outlook is less positive than other areas in North Carolina, Goldsboro’s proximity to major cities in the state and the increased availability of remote jobs enables residents to find gainful employment.
>> To find organizations seeking to recruit and place military, veterans, and spouses, please visit CareerRecon.
Things to See and Do in Goldsboro
Goldsboro may be a smaller city but it is full of heart and fun things to do. The area boasts a thriving arts and culture scene, a rich heritage, and some of the best BBQ restaurants around.
- Kayak on the waters surrounding the Cliffs of Neuse State Park, which are nestled on the Neuse River. If you are not an expert Kayaker, there are classes available at the Visitor’s Center to get you ready to hit the water.
- Visit the Wayne County Museum located in the historic downtown to learn about the heritage of Goldsboro, including their role in Civil War history
- Stroll around the historic downtown to visit the dynamic art murals. One mural in particular commemorates the African American Music Trail of Eastern North Carolina.
- Spice up your summer at the Summer Street Jam, a free series of summer concerts located in the historic downtown. Discover their lineup from previous years while awaiting the announcement of this year’s lineup.
- Visit the ultimate paradise for pickle lovers – the Mt. Olive Pickle Factory that is a short drive from Goldsboro. This brine-filled Mecca spans over 150 acres and has a gift shop filled with goods for all of the pickle lovers in your life.