Naval Station Norfolk vs Naval Submarine Base New London
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Naval Submarine Base New London has the higher housing allowance ($2,580 vs $2,430 for an E-5 with dependents, a $150/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Naval Station Norfolk is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Naval Station Norfolk | Naval Submarine Base New London | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Navy | Navy |
| Location | Norfolk, VA | Groton, CT |
| Personnel | 46,000+ | 12,000+ |
| Cost of living | High | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,430 | $2,580 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,604 | $3,159 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,694 | $3,306 |
| Typical home price | $280k-$400k | $280k-$400k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
Compare other bases
Use the interactive tool to compare any two of our 130+ bases.
Open the compare tool