Travis Air Force Base vs Vandenberg Space Force Base

2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.

Travis Air Force Base has the higher housing allowance ($3,369 vs $3,333 for an E-5 with dependents, a $36/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Vandenberg Space Force Base is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.

Travis Air Force Base Vandenberg Space Force Base
Branch Air Force Space Force
Location Fairfield, CA Lompoc, CA
Personnel 14,000+ 10,000+
Cost of living Very high Very high
E-5 BAH (w/dep) $3,369 $3,333
E-7 BAH (w/dep) $3,516 $3,693
O-3 BAH (w/dep) $3,537 $3,780
Typical home price $480k-$640k $420k-$560k

BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.

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