Naval Station Norfolk vs USCG Air Station Elizabeth City
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
USCG Air Station Elizabeth City has the higher housing allowance ($2,508 vs $2,430 for an E-5 with dependents, a $78/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 | USCG Air Station Elizabeth City | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Navy | Coast Guard |
| Location | Norfolk, VA | Elizabeth City, NC |
| Personnel | 46,000+ | 2,000+ |
| Cost of living | High | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,430 | $2,508 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,604 | $2,595 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $2,694 | $2,667 |
| Typical home price | $280k-$400k | $220k-$320k |
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 139+ bases.
Open the compare tool