Fort Knox vs Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has the higher housing allowance ($1,650 vs $1,647 for an E-5 with dependents, a $3/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort Knox is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort Knox | Wright-Patterson Air Force Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Air Force |
| Location | Radcliff, KY | Dayton, OH |
| Personnel | 12,000+ | 27,000+ |
| Cost of living | Low | Low |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,647 | $1,650 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,241 | $1,938 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,421 | $2,097 |
| Typical home price | $180k-$270k | $260k-$380k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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