Ellsworth AFB
Rapid City, South Dakota · Air Force
Ellsworth AFB is home to the 28th Bomb Wing operating the B-1B Lancer supersonic bomber, located near Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Quick Facts
Location
Rapid City, SD
Branch
Air Force
MHA
Rapid City/Ellsworth Afb, SD
E-5 w/dep BAH
$1,986/mo
State Tax
No state income tax
2026 BAH Rates — Rapid City/Ellsworth Afb, SD
Monthly rates. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $1,800 | $1,440 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,800 | $1,440 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,800 | $1,440 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,800 | $1,440 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $1,986 | $1,545 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,211 | $1,656 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,307 | $1,806 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,409 | $2,037 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,538 | $2,094 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,229 | $1,746 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,349 | $2,034 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,478 | $2,103 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,559 | $2,226 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,664 | $2,328 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,322 | $1,983 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,457 | $2,082 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,574 | $2,202 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $2,022 | $1,614 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,208 | $1,929 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,475 | $2,124 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,691 | $2,304 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $2,850 | $2,361 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $2,871 | $2,457 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $2,889 | $2,496 |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
How This Market Compares
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$1,986/mo
National avg E-5 w/dep
$1,987/mo
vs. National avg
-$1/mo
Rapid City is an affordable Black Hills market. BAH covers most rentals easily, and buyers can find strong value in the local real estate market with no state income tax on military pay.
Key Insights for Ellsworth AFB
An E-5 with dependents receives $1,986/month BAH — or $23,832/year — to cover housing costs in the Rapid City/Ellsworth Afb, SD area.
South Dakota has no state income tax on military pay, meaning your BAH, base pay, and special pays go further here than in high-tax states.
BAH is designed to cover median rental costs — not average or premium rents. Members living in above-median housing pay the difference out of pocket; those in below-median housing keep the surplus.
Calculate Your Full Military Pay
BAH is one component. See your total compensation including base pay, BAS, and tax savings.
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.