Columbus Air Force Base vs Maxwell Air Force Base
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Maxwell Air Force Base has the higher housing allowance ($1,683 vs $1,398 for an E-5 with dependents, a $285/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Columbus Air Force Base is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Columbus Air Force Base | Maxwell Air Force Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Air Force | Air Force |
| Location | Columbus, MS | Montgomery, AL |
| Personnel | 4,000+ | 12,000+ |
| Cost of living | Low | Low |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,398 | $1,683 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,067 | $1,818 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,181 | $1,932 |
| Typical home price | $200k-$300k | $200k-$300k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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