Eielson AFB
Fairbanks, Alaska · Air Force
Eielson AFB is home to the 354th Fighter Wing, operating F-35A Lightning II jets — the Air Force's newest stealth fighters in the extreme Arctic environment, 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks.
Eielson is a unique duty station — extreme cold, limited amenities, but no state income tax and surprisingly affordable housing. The North Pole area near base has homes well within BAH reach. Fairbanks offers more options but adds 25+ minutes of commute on icy winter roads. Many families choose on-base housing to avoid the heating cost surprise.
Check your rate
Select your rank and dependent status below
See what it buys
Compare your BAH to local rent and mortgage costs
Plan your move
Compare stations or estimate PCS costs
Showing E-5 with dependents for the Fairbanks, AK MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$2,436/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$1,500/mo
Zillow / AskDoss 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$936/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $936/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$260,000
Zillow / AskDoss 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$1,800–$2,000/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~1.1% property tax + insurance
At $2,436/month BAH and an estimated $1,800–$2,000/month PITI on a median-priced home, BAH may cover a significant portion of a typical mortgage in this market — though actual costs vary based on rate, taxes, insurance, and individual circumstances.
Housing cost estimates are approximate and based on publicly available market data. Actual mortgage costs depend on interest rate, property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, maintenance, credit profile, and lender requirements. This is not financial advice — use these numbers as a starting point for your own research.
How This Market Compares
Eielson AFB BAH for E-5 with dependents is $375/mo above the national average — and Fairbanks-area housing costs are roughly 25–30% above the national median overall, though winter utilities — not rent — are the real budget challenge here.
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$2,436/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
+$375/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Fairbanks, AK
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $2,106/mo·E-5 w/dep: $2,436/mo·E-6 w/dep: $2,454/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $2,106 | $1,581 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $2,106 | $1,581 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $2,106 | $1,581 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $2,106 | $1,581 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $2,436 | $1,827 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,454 | $1,887 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,610 | $1,989 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,814 | $2,166 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $3,018 | $2,265 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,457 | $1,965 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,694 | $2,163 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,943 | $2,271 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $3,045 | $2,463 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $3,171 | $2,655 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,646 | $2,091 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,907 | $2,235 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $3,066 | $2,415 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $2,448 | $1,881 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,451 | $2,064 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,937 | $2,301 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $3,210 | $2,619 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $3,405 | $2,733 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $3,432 | $2,922 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $3,456 | $2,973 |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
Local cost of living context
Overall cost of living is roughly roughly 25–30% above the national average (driven by groceries and energy).
Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Your military pay stretches further here on the tax side — but higher costs for food, fuel, and heating offset some of that advantage.
What to know before you move
The biggest shock at Eielson is winter utility costs. Heating a home at -40°F can cost $400–$600/month from October through March. On-base housing includes utilities, but if you live off-base in North Pole or Fairbanks, budget for heating as a major expense that eats into your BAH surplus fast.
Housing data is approximate and provided for informational and educational purposes only. Median rents and home prices reflect market estimates at time of publication and may not reflect current conditions. School ratings are sourced from third-party services and reflect their methodology. MilPayTools does not endorse specific neighborhoods, properties, landlords, or housing decisions. Always verify figures independently and consult with a qualified professional before making financial commitments.
What to do next
BAH is the starting point. Here are the calculations that matter most for your PCS decision.
Compare Eielson AFB to another duty station→Get notified when 2027 BAH rates update for Eielson AFB
Updates when rates change. No spam.
We'll only email you when official rates change or new tools launch. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nearby & Comparable Installations
Data Source & Disclaimer
BAH rates are from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) 2026 BAH data, effective January 1, 2026. Rates are set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not individual ZIP code — all ZIPs in the same MHA receive identical rates. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with DoD, DTMO, or any government agency. Verify your entitlement at travel.dod.mil.