Joint Base San Antonio vs Laughlin Air Force Base
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Joint Base San Antonio has the higher housing allowance ($1,869 vs $1,470 for an E-5 with dependents, a $399/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Laughlin Air Force Base is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Joint Base San Antonio | Laughlin Air Force Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Joint | Air Force |
| Location | San Antonio, TX | Del Rio, TX |
| Personnel | 80,000+ | 4,000+ |
| Cost of living | Moderate | Low |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,869 | $1,470 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,112 | $1,854 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,127 | $2,121 |
| Typical home price | $230k-$340k | $180k-$270k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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