Compare two bases

Nellis AFB vs Luke AFB

An E-5 with dependents gets $219 more BAH a month at Luke AFB ($2,070 at Nellis AFB, $2,289 at Luke AFB). After a 2-bedroom fair market rent, that leaves about $384 at Nellis AFB and $555 at Luke AFB. The two are about 240 miles apart in a straight line.

Side by side

Dependents
Swap sides
Air Force · NVNellis Air Force Base
Air Force · AZLuke Air Force Base
BAH, E-5 with dependents (2026 DoD BAH rate)
$2,070
$2,289
Rent, 2 bedrooms (HUD FY2027 fair market rent)
$1,686
$1,734
Left after rent each month
$384
$555
Cost of living index (100 is the U.S. average, our estimate)
86
89
Housing cost index
85
88
Groceries index
88
88
Schools nearby (our count)
72 Clark County School District
72 Peoria Unified School District, Dysart Unified 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 4 mo Family housing on base
Distance between
About 240 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 comparisonNellis AFB BAH vs rentLuke 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 CompareEglin AFB vs MacDill AFBE-5 BAH $2,433 vs $2,709
FAQ

Nellis AFB or Luke AFB?

Which pays more BAH, Nellis AFB or Luke AFB?

For an E-5 with dependents, Luke AFB pays more: $2,289 a month against $2,070, from the DoD 2026 BAH tables. Pick your own grade above to compare yours.

Is rent cheaper near Nellis AFB or Luke AFB?

A 2-bedroom fair market rent is $1,686 near Nellis AFB and $1,734 near Luke AFB (HUD FY2027, rent plus basic utilities). Real listings vary by neighborhood.

How far apart are Nellis AFB and Luke AFB?

About 240 miles in a straight line. Driving distance is longer. If you are moving between them, the move money calculator estimates your travel pay.