Buckley Space Force Base vs Ellsworth Air Force Base
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Buckley Space Force Base has the higher housing allowance ($2,841 vs $1,986 for an E-5 with dependents, a $855/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Ellsworth Air Force Base is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Buckley Space Force Base | Ellsworth Air Force Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Space Force | Air Force |
| Location | Aurora, CO | Rapid City, SD |
| Personnel | 12,000+ | 8,000+ |
| Cost of living | High | Moderate |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,841 | $1,986 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $3,114 | $2,307 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $3,207 | $2,475 |
| Typical home price | $420k-$580k | $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