Dover Air Force Base vs Joint Base Andrews
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Joint Base Andrews has the higher housing allowance ($3,132 vs $2,277 for an E-5 with dependents, a $855/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Dover Air Force Base is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Dover Air Force Base | Joint Base Andrews | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Air Force | Air Force |
| Location | Dover, DE | Camp Springs, MD |
| Personnel | 8,000+ | 17,000+ |
| Cost of living | Moderate | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,277 | $3,132 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,694 | $3,855 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $3,051 | $4,020 |
| Typical home price | $300k-$420k | $400k-$540k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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