Objective To compare the difference of sleep quality between naval coast servicemen and servicemen stationed on island. Methods A random sample of 440 naval coast servicemen and 439 servicemen stationed on island was surveyed for sleep quality using self-designed demographic questionnaire and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Results A total of 421 valid questionnaires were collected from coast servicemen, with an effective rate of 95.7%; 424 valid questionnaires were collected from servicemen stationed on island, with an effective rate of 96.6%. After propensity score matching, there were significant differences in sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disorders and PSQI total scores between 319 coast servicemen and 319 servicemen stationed on island (all P<0.05). After controlling for general demographic factors (gender, age, and marital status), it was found that the higher the education level was, the worse the sleep quality was (β=0.123, P<0.01), and servicemen stationed on island had worse sleep quality than coast servicemen (β=-0.095, P<0.05). Conclusion Sleep quality of servicemen stationed on island is worse than that of coast servicemen. Sleep hygiene education should be enhanced for military personnel in special positions to improve their sleep quality.