Compare two bases

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson vs Fort Wainwright

An E-5 with dependents gets $438 more BAH a month at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson ($2,874 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, $2,436 at Fort Wainwright). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $1,345 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and $883 at Fort Wainwright. The two are about 256 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
Swap sides
Air Force · AKJoint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Army · AKFort Wainwright
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$2,874
$2,436
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$1,529
$1,553
Left after rent each month
$1,345
$883
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
118
113
Housing cost index
110
90
Groceries index
132
132
Schools nearby (our count)
52 Anchorage School District, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
18 Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
On-base services listed
16
14
On-base housing wait (our estimate, call the housing office)
About 4 mo Family housing on base
About 2 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 256 milesStraight line. Estimate your move money.

A Air Force and a Army installation, a choice that comes up for dual-military families and joint assignments. 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 comparisonJoint Base Elmendorf-Richardson BAH vs rentFort Wainwright 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 CompareEglin AFB vs MacDill AFBE-5 BAH $2,433 vs $2,709
FAQ

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson or Fort Wainwright?

Which pays more BAH, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson or Fort Wainwright?

For an E-5 with dependents, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson pays more: $2,874 a month against $2,436, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson or Fort Wainwright?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $1,529 near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and $1,553 near Fort Wainwright (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright?

About 256 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.