Fort McCoy vs Minot Air Force Base
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Minot Air Force Base has the higher housing allowance ($1,548 vs $1,395 for an E-5 with dependents, a $153/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort McCoy is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort McCoy | Minot Air Force Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Air Force |
| Location | Sparta, WI | Minot, ND |
| Personnel | 4,000+ | 9,000+ |
| Cost of living | Low | Low |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,395 | $1,548 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $1,875 | $2,052 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $1,923 | $2,175 |
| Typical home price | $200k-$290k | $210k-$300k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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