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The cost of living in Fort Rucker is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing, which is about 28-30% less expensive than the U.S. average. Other expenses like food and transportation are also below the national average, while utilities may be slightly higher. The overall cost of living index for Fort Rucker is lower than the national average, in part due to Alabama's low property prices and low sales tax.
Key Factors
Housing
Housing is the biggest factor in the lower cost of living, with costs around 28-30% lower than the national average. On-post housing is available for service members, and off-post options in nearby communities like Enterprise, Ozark, and Daleville are also available, though some areas like Enterprise are slightly higher.
Utilities
While overall costs are lower, utilities in Fort Rucker can be slightly above the national average, according to Military Installations (.mil).
Food and Transportation
Groceries and transportation costs are also below the national average.
Taxes
Fort Rucker, Alabama, benefits from low sales tax rates, which contributes to overall lower costs for goods and services
Comparison to National Average:
For telephone access to Fort Rucker automated information, call 334-255-1110, DSN 312-558-1110. For the Field Officer of the Day and the Staff Duty Officer - after duty hours and weekends only - call 334-255-3100, DSN 312-558-3100. Service Members who arrive at the Dothan Airport will need to take a taxi to Fort Rucker. All personnel assigned to Fort Rucker should be aware that presently the only form of public transportation is taxis.
Upon arrival at one of the Fort Rucker gates, personnel must present a valid Common Access Card, Retiree ID, Military Dependent ID, DA Form 1602 Civilian ID card or any other U.S. Government issued personal identity verification credential to access Fort Rucker without a Visitor's Badge. Only Active Duty and Retired U.S. Service Members and their dependents (18 and older), and DA Civilians with a valid DOD-issued ID card may escort un-vetted visitors.
Entry to the post is through three main gates: the Ozark Gate from the east, the Daleville Gate from the south and the Enterprise Gate from the west.
Visitors may go to the Visitor Control Center at the Daleville Gate or Ozark Gate to receive a background check and visitor badge. You'll need a valid government issued picture identification card, such as a driver's license, passport, state identification card. When accessing Fort Rucker, visitors must present a Visitor Badge and a valid Government-issued picture identification card in order to enter the installation.
Our two VCC are located at the Daleville or Ozark gates and are open between the normal operating hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, the Daleville gate will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to make it easier to access post on the weekends.
For more information please go to this link: https://home.army.mil/rucker/.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included.
The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence trains, educates and develops Army Aviation professionals and integrates indispensable aviation capabilities across warfighting functions in support of commanders and Soldiers on the ground.
AVCOE Mission:
AVCOE trains, educates, and develops Aviation warfighters; continuously drives change and transformation to maximize manned and unmanned Aviation’s effect as a member of the combined arms team on current and future battlefields.
Fort Rucker was renamed Fort Rucker in June 2025 in honor of CPT Edward F. Rucker, a World War I pilot and Distinguished Service Cross awardee.
For more information, go to the https://home.army.mil/rucker/history link.
Fort Rucker, AL has a population of 4,681 and is the 6,757th largest city in the United States. The population density is 431 per sq mi which is 368% higher than the Alabama average and 376% higher than the national average. The median age in Fort Rucker is 23 which is approximately 39% lower than the Alabama average of 39. In Fort Rucker, 63% of the population over 15 years of age are married, 92% speak English and 7% speak Spanish. 12% of Fort Rucker residents were born in Alabama, 80% were born out of state, 5% were born outside of the United States and 3% were foreign born.
Fort Rucker lies in Dale County, which has a population of 50,067 (2024). Neighboring Coffee County has a population of 53,358 (2024). Houston County has a population of 109,366 (2024).
The Fort Rucker Community:
The Army Aviation Warfighting Center, Fort Rucker, Alabama, is located in the southeast corner of Alabama. The post is located in Dale County. Fort Rucker is approximately 80 miles south of Montgomery and 20 miles northwest of Dothan. Florida's Gulf Coast lies 80 miles to the south. The communities of Enterprise, Daleville, and Ozark are west, south and east of the post, respectively and serve as our three main gates. The post covers about 64,500 acres of countryside in an area known as the "Wiregrass," named for a wild grass peculiar to the region. The area is known for its lower cost of living, making it a prime target for real estate investments. The base operator's phone number is 334-255-1110 or DSN 312-558-1110. (Operator Line is Automated)
All numbers are available if you utilize the www.militaryonesource.com
Directions from Dothan Airport
Personnel incoming to Fort Rucker that arrive at Dothan Airport, upon leaving the airport, turn left onto Railroad Avenue and then turn right onto Napier Field Road (County Road 112) which becomes AL-134. Continue on Napier Field Road toward Midland City, where Napier Field Road will turn into Hwy 134. Turn left to stay on AL-134. Follow Hwy 134 to Daleville. Once in Daleville, turn right at the first light onto Hwy 85N (Daleville Avenue), which leads you through Daleville, and onto Fort Rucker. Personnel arriving at the Dothan airport will need to take a taxi which will cost varies, please use numbers below.
Directions from Montgomery Airport
If arriving at Montgomery Airport, upon leaving the airport, turn right on Hwy 80 (Selma Hwy). Follow Hwy 80, turn right onto Hwy 82, and continue on Hwy 82 till you reach US Hwy 231 South, turn right and follow Hwy 231 South to Ozark. Upon entering Ozark, turn right at the first stop light onto Hwy 249, which leads you to Fort Rucker. There is no shuttle bus from the airport to Fort Rucker.
Entering Fort Rucker Post
An excellent road network makes it easy to drive to the post from any direction. Entry to the post is through three main gates: the Ozark Gate from the east, the Daleville Gate from the south and the Enterprise Gate from the west. If you are coming from Ozark via Highway 231, turn onto Alabama 249 westbound (also known as Andrews Ave.) and continue driving until you reach the Ozark Gate.
If you are traveling from Enterprise, take Novosel Boulevard, to the Enterprise Gate.
From Dothan, take Highway 84 West, turn right at the Daleville exit, continue driving on Daleville Ave. for about two miles and then enter the post at the Daleville Gate.
The Faulkner Gate is open 4:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Faulkner Gate is closed on weekends, DONSAs and federal holidays.
The Newton Gate is open 5-7 a.m., then 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Unless escorted by an ID cardholder, visitors with a pass must first obtain a pass from either the Daleville or Ozark VCC during their hours of operation.
Soldiers Service Center: Located on Novosel St., between Andrews Ave. and 5th Willie Ruf Ave., across the street from the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, the Cribbins Soldiers Service Center, Bldg. 5700, is a one-stop shop for all military and civilian personnel services. The in-processing signs posted at each of the three main entrances to Fort Rucker point permanent party Soldiers to the Soldiers Service Center
The area code for the Fort Rucker area is 334.
Currently, there is no installation provided transportation.
334-255-1110 or DSN 312-558-1110, automated call line only.
Please use the contacts and major units links in Militaryonesource to find telephone number to a variety of different services.