Hanscom Air Force Base vs Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Hanscom Air Force Base has the higher housing allowance ($4,188 vs $3,321 for an E-5 with dependents, a $867/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Hanscom Air Force Base | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Air Force | Navy |
| Location | Bedford, MA | Kittery, ME |
| Personnel | 5,000+ | 7,000+ |
| Cost of living | Very high | Very high |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $4,188 | $3,321 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $4,584 | $3,975 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $4,770 | $4,461 |
| Typical home price | $650k-$900k | $550k-$750k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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