Ellsworth Air Force Base vs Grand Forks Air Force Base
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Ellsworth Air Force Base has the higher housing allowance ($1,986 vs $1,731 for an E-5 with dependents, a $255/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Grand Forks Air Force Base is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Ellsworth Air Force Base | Grand Forks Air Force Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Air Force | Air Force |
| Location | Rapid City, SD | Grand Forks, ND |
| Personnel | 8,000+ | 5,000+ |
| Cost of living | Moderate | Moderate |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,986 | $1,731 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,307 | $2,073 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,475 | $2,199 |
| Typical home price | $230k-$330k | $230k-$330k |
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