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Compare military bases / Shaw Air Force Base → MacDill Air Force Base

Shaw MacDill

Compare Shaw Air Force Base and MacDill Air Force Base

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Will my BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) go up or down if I move from Shaw Air Force Base to MacDill Air Force Base?

This calculator uses 2026 DTMO (Defense Travel Management Office) rates for selected pay grade and dependent status.

+$897/mo

Monthly BAH at E-5 pay grade without dependents.

Shaw Air Force Base
$1,290
MacDill Air Force Base
$2,187
Higher BAH at MacDill Air Force Base

BAH minus HUD 2-bedroom rent for the ZIP nearest each base.

Shaw Air Force Base
−$20/mo
MacDill Air Force Base
−$113/mo

Housing just outside the gate: Sumter vs Tampa

Rents shown on table are the 40th-percentile for 2 and 3 bedroom figures for the residential ZIP code nearest the base.

Shaw Air Force Base
Sumter 29150
MacDill Air Force Base
Tampa 33616
Median home value (city)$199,100$420,400
Median gross rent (city)$1,076/mo$1,701
HUD ZIP 2-BR rent$1,310/mo$2,300
HUD ZIP 3-BR rent$1,570/mo$2,940
HUD metro 2-BR rent (wider area)$1,276/mo$1,977
E-5 without dependents minus 2-BR−$20/mo−$113/mo
E-5 with dependents minus 3-BR−$67/mo−$231/mo

E-5 without dependents vs a HUD 2-bedroom is −$20/mo at Shaw Air Force Base vs −$113/mo at MacDill Air Force Base. E-5 with dependents vs a 3-bedroom is −$67/mo vs −$231/mo.

Host-state comparison: South Carolina vs. Florida

South CarolinaFlorida
Sales tax7.49%6.98%
Property tax0.49%0.78%
Personal property taxYes — 2.33% effectiveNo
Top state income tax6.0%0.0%
Median home value$307,843$378,667
BranchAir ForceAir Force
HUD 2-BR FMR$1,276$1,977
Climate high/low76° / 53°F83° / 66°F
Annual precip45.2 in49.5 in
Nearby citySumterTampa
Host stateSouth CarolinaFlorida

Click here for the full state comparison: South Carolina → Florida

PCS checklist for MacDill Air Force Base

Biggest differences

Common questions

Can I PCS from Shaw Air Force Base to MacDill Air Force Base?

This pair is listed because the installations share a tenant service (Air Force). Your actual orders depend on your MOS/AFSC/rating and the gaining unit.

How does BAH change from Shaw Air Force Base to MacDill Air Force Base?

DTMO CY2026 with- and without-dependents rates for every pay grade are in the BAH table on this page. E-5 with dependents: $1,503 vs $2,709; without dependents: $1,290 vs $2,187.

What is local rent like near MacDill Air Force Base?

HUD FY2026 Small Area FMR for ZIP 33616 (Tampa) is $2,300/mo for a 2-bedroom and $2,940/mo for a 3-bedroom. The wider metro 2-BR FMR is $1,977/mo.

What do homes cost in Sumter vs Tampa?

Census ACS 5-year (2020–2024) median value of owner-occupied homes is $199,100 in Sumter city, South Carolina vs $420,400 in Tampa city, Florida. Median gross rent in those cities is $1,076 vs $1,701. These are city medians (owners’ reported values), not last month’s sale prices.

Will BAH cover off-base rent if I PCS from Shaw Air Force Base to MacDill Air Force Base?

E-5 without dependents minus a HUD 2-bedroom is −$20/mo at Shaw Air Force Base vs −$113/mo at MacDill Air Force Base. E-5 with dependents minus a 3-bedroom is −$67/mo vs −$231/mo. Use the calculator for other pay grades. Actual listings vary; BAH is untaxed housing pay, not a rent cap.

Does my state income tax change if I PCS from Shaw Air Force Base to MacDill Air Force Base?

Usually not just because the duty station changes. Military pay generally follows legal residence under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; spouses may have similar protection. South Carolina: Top listed rate 6.0%. Florida: No personal income tax. BAH is not taxed. Sales tax and titling a car follow the state you live in.

Related PCS

MacDill Air Force Base → Shaw Air Force Base · Eglin Air Force Base → MacDill Air Force Base

Your PCS

Only destinations that share a service with the origin are listed.

Sources

Housing figures below are for the installation (MHA, HUD rent, climate). Host-state tax rates in the snapshot above BAH are statewide averages — not a tax return. County add-ons can differ, and wage tax on military pay follows legal residence, not the duty station.