Fort Wainwright vs Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson has the higher housing allowance ($2,874 vs $2,436 for an E-5 with dependents, a $438/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort Wainwright is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort Wainwright | Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Joint |
| Location | Fairbanks, AK | Anchorage, AK |
| Personnel | 12,000+ | 32,000+ |
| Cost of living | High | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,436 | $2,874 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,610 | $3,045 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,937 | $3,360 |
| Typical home price | $280k-$390k | $350k-$480k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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