Military BAH Calculator (2026 Rates)
Look up your 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing by pay grade, dependency status and duty station ZIP code, using DoD’s official rate data.
Military BAH Calculator
Pay grade · Dependents · Duty station · 2026 DoD rates
HomeLoanToolbox.com does not sell your personal information. Results are educational estimates, not a loan offer or commitment to lend. See our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.
How to Use the Military BAH Calculator
- Choose your pay grade and dependency status.
- Enter your duty station ZIP code, or choose your state and Military Housing Area.
- Click Look Up BAH.
The BAH calculator shows your monthly and annual 2026 rate and the rate with the other dependency status. Check the BAH calculator again if DoD announces a rate change for your area.
How BAH Is Set
A service member assigned to permanent duty in the 50 states who is not furnished government housing is eligible for the Basic Allowance for Housing. The rate depends on three things: pay grade, dependency status, and the ZIP code of the permanent duty station.
DoD groups ZIP codes into Military Housing Areas and sets a rate for each pay grade, with and without dependents. Duty stations outside a named housing area use a county rate. DoD’s rates include a cost-sharing amount set at five percent of the national average for each pay grade.
Military BAH FAQ
What is a Military Housing Area?
It is a group of ZIP codes that DoD treats as one housing market. Everyone at the same pay grade and dependency status in that area receives the same BAH rate.
Why is my rate different from someone else’s at the same base?
Pay grade and dependency status change the rate. Two members at the same base can receive different amounts.
Do BAH rates change during the year?
New rates take effect each January, and DoD can make changes during the year. In 2026, DoD temporarily raised rates for the Abilene, Texas, and Dyess AFB area effective May 16, 2026.
