BAH Calculator 2026

BAH rates are calculated by the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) based on rental housing cost surveys in each Military Housing Area. Three factors determine your BAH rate:

• Duty station location — Based on local rental market costs in your Military Housing Area (MHA)
• Pay grade — Higher ranks receive higher BAH to cover larger housing
• Dependency status — Members with dependents receive a higher rate for larger accommodations

The DoD surveys rental costs for apartments and single-family homes, utilities, and renter's insurance in each MHA to calculate rates that cover the median housing cost for each pay grade tier.

If BAH rates decrease in your area, you are protected by rate protection (sometimes called "grandfathering"). This means:

• You continue receiving the higher rate as long as you maintain eligibility
• Rate protection applies as long as you remain at the same duty station
• If you PCS to a new location, you receive the current rate for the new area
• Changes in dependency status may also affect rate protection

Rate protection ensures that service members are not financially harmed by decreasing housing markets.

BAH applies only to duty stations within the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii). Service members stationed overseas receive the Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) instead, which works differently:

• BAH: Flat monthly rate based on MHA, rank, and dependency status
• OHA: Covers actual rental costs up to a maximum, plus a utility/maintenance allowance

This calculator covers BAH rates only. For OHA rates, contact your installation housing office.

Eligibility for BAH depends on your status:

• Active duty members not living in government quarters are eligible for BAH
• Members with dependents receive BAH even if living in the barracks
• Single members in barracks typically do not receive BAH (E-1 through E-4 without dependents)
• Guard/Reserve on active duty orders for 30+ days receive BAH based on duty station or home address

Specific eligibility rules vary. Consult your installation housing office or finance office for your situation.

BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a tax-free monthly allowance paid to service members to help cover housing costs when government quarters are not provided. The amount is determined by three factors: your duty station location (Military Housing Area), pay grade (rank), and dependency status (with or without dependents).

Rates are based on local rental market surveys conducted by the Defense Travel Management Office, covering rental costs, utilities, and renter's insurance.

No, BAH is completely tax-free. It is not included in your taxable income for federal or state income tax purposes. This makes BAH significantly more valuable than equivalent taxable income.

For example, a $2,000/month BAH payment would require approximately $2,500–$2,800 in pre-tax civilian income to match, depending on your tax bracket.

BAH rates are updated annually, effective January 1 each year. The 2026 rates shown in this calculator took effect on January 1, 2026. Rates are based on housing cost surveys conducted in the prior year by the Defense Travel Management Office.

Service members already receiving BAH are protected by rate protection — if rates decrease for your area, you continue receiving the higher rate as long as you maintain eligibility at the same duty station.

BAH with dependents is a higher rate paid to service members who have legal dependents (spouse, children, or other qualifying dependents). BAH without dependents is a lower rate for single service members or those without qualifying dependents.

The difference between the two rates varies by location but is typically $200–$600 per month. Both rates increase with pay grade.

This calculator includes BAH rates for all 338 Military Housing Areas (MHAs) in the United States for 2026. You can search by city name, state, or base name. For your exact rate by ZIP code, use the ZIP code lookup feature on this page.

For your exact rate by ZIP code, you can also visit the official DoD BAH calculator: Defense Travel Management Office BAH Calculator