Compare two bases

Eglin AFB vs MacDill AFB

An E-5 with dependents gets $276 more BAH a month at MacDill AFB ($2,433 at Eglin AFB, $2,709 at MacDill AFB). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $525 at Eglin AFB and $792 at MacDill AFB. The two are about 302 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
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Air Force · FLEglin Air Force Base
Air Force · FLMacDill Air Force Base
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$2,433
$2,709
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$1,908
$1,917
Left after rent each month
$525
$792
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
82
89
Housing cost index
78
88
Groceries index
82
88
Schools nearby (our count)
38 Okaloosa County School District
72 Hillsborough County Public Schools
On-base services listed
16
14
On-base housing wait (our estimate, call the housing office)
About 4 mo Family housing on base
About 5 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 302 milesStraight line. Estimate your move money.

Both are Air Force installations, so they often land on the same wish list or the same set of orders. Gold ticks mark the better number in each row. BAH from the DoD 2026 rate tables; confirm yours with the DoD BAH calculator.

Link to this comparisonEglin AFB BAH vs rentMacDill AFB BAH vs rent
Compare different bases

Try another pair

CompareJoint Base Andrews vs QuanticoE-5 BAH $3,132 vs $2,955 CompareJoint Base San Antonio vs Fort HoodE-5 BAH $1,869 vs $1,695 CompareNellis AFB vs Luke AFBE-5 BAH $2,070 vs $2,289
FAQ

Eglin AFB or MacDill AFB?

Which pays more BAH, Eglin AFB or MacDill AFB?

For an E-5 with dependents, MacDill AFB pays more: $2,709 a month against $2,433, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Eglin AFB or MacDill AFB?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $1,908 near Eglin AFB and $1,917 near MacDill AFB (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Eglin AFB and MacDill AFB?

About 302 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.