# PCS to Fort Benning: Should You Live in Columbus, GA or Phenix City, AL?

By Amanda Hester (@amandahester) · Published 2026-08-31 · Updated 2026-09-04

Canonical: https://voce.com/@amandahester/columbus-pcs-fort-benning-live-phenix-city-al-phenix-city

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If you’ve received orders to **Fort Benning**, one of the first decisions you’ll probably make is also one of the biggest:

**Should we live in Columbus, Georgia, or across the river in Phenix City, Alabama?**

Military families relocating to Fort Benning have a unique advantage that families at many other duty stations don’t have — you can realistically choose between **two states** while still remaining close to post.

I’m a Realtor® licensed in both Georgia and Alabama, and I work with military families relocating to the Fort Benning area regularly. One thing I tell buyers right away is that there isn’t a single “best” side of the river.

The better question is: **Which side fits your family, commute, budget and lifestyle best?**

## **Columbus, Georgia: Convenience and Variety**

For many military families, Columbus is the first place they look simply because Fort Benning is located on the Georgia side.

Columbus is a larger city with a wide variety of neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants, healthcare, entertainment and housing options. Depending on where you choose to live, you may also have a relatively straightforward commute to Fort Benning.

Buyers can find everything from established Midtown homes with character to newer construction communities farther north and east of the city.

Columbus can be especially appealing for families who want to stay close to shopping, restaurants and activities while still having easy access to post.

## **Phenix City, Alabama: Right Across the River**

Don’t rule out Alabama just because your duty station is in Georgia.

**Phenix City is directly across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus**, and many military families stationed at Fort Benning live on the Alabama side.

Depending on the neighborhood, the drive to post can still be very reasonable.

Phenix City offers a mix of established neighborhoods and newer subdivisions, and buyers often discover that crossing the state line gives them additional choices when comparing homes, lot sizes and prices.

And once you live here, crossing between Columbus and Phenix City becomes completely normal. Most locals barely think about the fact that they’re moving from one state to another.

**What About Smiths Station and Fort Mitchell?**

Military buyers shouldn’t limit their Alabama search to Phenix City, either.

**Fort Mitchell** is extremely popular with Fort Benning families because of its proximity to the installation and abundance of newer residential communities.

**Smiths Station** is another option worth considering for buyers who want a little more space or a more suburban feel while remaining convenient to Columbus and the surrounding area.

That’s why I usually recommend looking at several communities before making a decision instead of choosing Georgia or Alabama before you’ve even arrived.

You may be surprised by which area feels most like home.

**Your Commute Can Change Dramatically by Neighborhood**

One mistake I see PCS buyers make is searching based only on the city name.

Two homes listed as being in Columbus can have very different commute times to Fort Benning.

The same is true in Phenix City and surrounding Alabama communities.

Before buying, look at the **actual route from the specific home to the gate you’ll use most often**.

If one spouse works on Fort Benning while the other works in Columbus, for example, the ideal location might be completely different than it would be for a household where both people work on post.

**Georgia and Alabama Have Different Costs**

Living in two different states also means dealing with two different sets of rules involving things such as:

-   Property taxes
    
-   Vehicle registration
    
-   Homestead exemptions
    
-   State income taxes
    
-   Insurance
    
-   Closing practices
    

Those differences can affect your overall monthly and annual costs.

That’s one reason I encourage buyers to look beyond the mortgage payment when comparing homes across the river.

A home that costs slightly more — or slightly less — doesn’t automatically mean it will be the more affordable option once everything else is considered.

## **Using a VA Loan Around Fort Benning**

The Fort Benning market has a large military population, which means **VA financing is extremely common** here.

But experience with VA transactions still matters.

Whether you’re purchasing in Columbus, Phenix City, Fort Mitchell, Smiths Station or another nearby community, working with a real estate agent and lender who understand VA loans can make the process much smoother.

For buyers relocating from another state — or even another country — I also frequently help with the process remotely.

That may include video tours, detailed neighborhood videos, inspections, contractor coordination and helping buyers understand areas they haven’t been able to visit personally yet.

PCS orders don’t always give families the luxury of spending weeks house hunting in person.

**So…Georgia or Alabama?**

My answer?

**Look at both.**

If you’re PCSing to Fort Benning, don’t draw an imaginary line at the Chattahoochee River before you start your home search.

Compare homes in **Columbus, Phenix City, Fort Mitchell, Smiths Station and the surrounding communities**.

Drive the neighborhoods if you can. Compare your commute. Look at the total cost of ownership. Think about what your family actually wants day to day.

Then choose the house — and the community — that makes the most sense for you.

**Relocating to Fort Benning?**

I’m **Amanda Hester, Realtor® with Keller Williams Realty River Cities**, licensed in both **Georgia and Alabama** and a **Military Relocation Professional (MRP)**.

As a military spouse myself, I understand that a PCS involves a whole lot more than simply finding a house.

If you’re moving to **Fort Benning, Columbus GA, Phenix City AL, Fort Mitchell AL, Smiths Station AL or the surrounding area**, I’m happy to help you figure out where to start — even if you’re still months away from your move.

_Image digitally created using artificial intelligence for illustrative purposes._