Los Angeles Air Force Base vs Naval Base San Diego
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Naval Base San Diego has the higher housing allowance ($3,975 vs $3,882 for an E-5 with dependents, a $93/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Los Angeles Air Force Base is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Los Angeles Air Force Base | Naval Base San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Space Force | Navy |
| Location | El Segundo, CA | San Diego, CA |
| Personnel | 6,000+ | 45,000+ |
| Cost of living | Very high | Very high |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $3,882 | $3,975 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $4,311 | $4,446 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $4,524 | $4,518 |
| Typical home price | $900k-$1.4M | $720k-$920k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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