Eglin Air Force Base vs MacDill Air Force Base
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
MacDill Air Force Base has the higher housing allowance ($2,709 vs $2,433 for an E-5 with dependents, a $276/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Eglin Air Force Base is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Eglin Air Force Base | MacDill Air Force Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Air Force | Air Force |
| Location | Valparaiso, FL | Tampa, FL |
| Personnel | 20,000+ | 15,000+ |
| Cost of living | High | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,433 | $2,709 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,841 | $3,066 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $3,399 | $3,081 |
| Typical home price | $320k-$460k | $450k-$700k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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