Naval Station Newport vs Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

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

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has the higher housing allowance ($3,321 vs $2,847 for an E-5 with dependents, a $474/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Naval Station Newport is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.

Naval Station Newport Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Branch Navy Navy
Location Newport, RI Kittery, ME
Personnel 16,000+ 7,000+
Cost of living High Very high
E-5 BAH (w/dep) $2,847 $3,321
E-7 BAH (w/dep) $3,702 $3,975
O-3 BAH (w/dep) $4,137 $4,461
Typical home price $400k-$560k $550k-$750k

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

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