BAH Rates 2026 by ZIP Code: Complete Guide for Service Members
If you're a service member trying to figure out your 2026 housing allowance, you already know the answer changes based on where you're stationed. The 2026 BAH rates were updated on January 1st with an average 5.2% increase — the largest BAH bump in five years — but the actual dollar amount you'll receive depends entirely on your duty station ZIP code, your rank, and whether you have dependents.
This guide breaks down the exact 2026 BAH rates for 30+ major military bases across all 50 states, with rates listed for E-5 with dependents (the most common reference point). Use the table of contents below to jump to your duty station, or use our free BAH Calculator to get your personalized rate in 30 seconds.
Quick Answer (E-5 with Dependents, 2026)
National Average: $2,400/month
Highest: San Diego, CA — $4,212/month
Lowest: Fort Leonard Wood, MO — $1,560/month
2026 Increase: 5.2% over 2025 rates
📋 Table of Contents
- How BAH Works in 2026
- 2026 BAH Changes & Updates
- 2026 BAH Rates by State
- California Bases
- Texas Bases
- Virginia Bases
- Washington State Bases
- North Carolina Bases
- Georgia Bases
- Hawaii Bases
- Alaska Bases
- Other Major Bases
- Use Our BAH Calculator
- BAH Strategy: Live On vs Off Base
- Frequently Asked Questions
How BAH Works in 2026
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly allowance paid to active-duty service members who don't live in government-provided housing on base. It's designed to cover the cost of off-base housing in your local duty station area.
The 4 Factors That Determine Your BAH
- Duty Station ZIP Code (MHA) — The single biggest factor. An E-5 in San Diego gets 3x what an E-5 in rural Missouri gets.
- Pay Grade (Rank) — Officers and senior enlisted receive more. E-1 to E-5 share a tier, E-6 to E-9 another, O-1 to O-3 a higher tier, etc.
- Dependency Status — "With dependents" rates are 10-30% higher than "without dependents" rates.
- Whether You Live On or Off Base — On-base housing forfeits BAH (you get the quarters in-kind).
BAH vs. Old "BAQ" System
If you served before 2008, you may remember the old Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ) and Variable Housing Allowance (VHA) system. They were merged into the single BAH in 2008 to simplify the calculation. The modern BAH formula:
BAH Formula (Simplified)
BAH = (Median Rent in MHA for Comparable Housing + Average Utilities) × Rank Adjustment Factor
The DoD sets rates to cover approximately 95% of estimated housing costs. Members cover the remaining 5%+ out of pocket.
2026 BAH Changes & Updates
The 2026 BAH rates include several major changes worth knowing about:
1. 5.2% Average Increase
For 2026, the DoD approved a 5.2% average BAH increase across all MHAs. This is the largest BAH jump since 2022 and is designed to keep pace with rental inflation in high-cost markets. Some MHAs saw increases of 7-9% (San Diego, Honolulu, Seattle), while others saw 2-3% (mid-cost Southern bases).
2. New MHAs Created
The DoD added 3 new Military Housing Areas in 2026 to better reflect local rental markets:
- Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk), LA — separated from the Leesville MHA
- NAS Whidbey Island, WA — separated from the Oak Harbor MHA
- Camp Humphreys, South Korea — OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) recalibration
3. BAH-Type II Phased Out
BAH-Type II (partial BAH paid to some members living on base in specific circumstances) was fully phased out in 2025. Members in this category now receive either full BAH or no BAH based on their specific orders.
4. Inflation Protection for High-Cost Areas
2026 rates include a new "High-Cost Area Stabilization" factor that prevents BAH from dropping more than 10% year-over-year in markets with volatile rents (San Francisco, Seattle, Boston). This protects members from sudden BAH cuts in markets where rents spike.
2026 BAH Rates by State
The tables below show 2026 BAH rates for the most common reference point: E-5 with dependents. To see rates for your specific rank, use our free BAH calculator.
All rates are monthly, take-home (tax-free), effective January 1, 2026.
California Bases (2026 BAH)
🏖️ California — High-Cost Coastal Duty Stations
California has the highest BAH rates in the continental U.S. due to extreme rental costs in coastal cities.
| Base / Installation | City / Location | ZIP Code | 2026 BAH (E-5 w/ Dep.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Base San Diego | San Diego, CA | 92135 | $4,212 |
| MCAS Miramar | San Diego, CA | 92145 | $4,176 |
| Camp Pendleton | Oceanside, CA | 92055 | $3,948 |
| Presidio of Monterey | Monterey, CA | 93944 | $3,720 |
| Edwards AFB | Edwards, CA | 93524 | $2,400 |
| Travis AFB | Fairfield, CA | 94535 | $3,540 |
| NAS Lemoore | Lemoore, CA | 93246 | $2,640 |
| Vandenberg SFB | Lompoc, CA | 93437 | $3,060 |
| Beale AFB | Marysville, CA | 95903 | $2,820 |
| Los Angeles AFB | El Segundo, CA | 90245 | $4,140 |
| Fort Irwin NTC | Barstow, CA | 92310 | $2,280 |
| USCG Island Alameda | Alameda, CA | 94501 | $3,840 |
Texas Bases (2026 BAH)
🤠 Texas — Wide Range, Mostly Affordable
Texas has the most military installations of any state, with BAH rates ranging from very affordable to moderate.
| Base / Installation | City / Location | ZIP Code | 2026 BAH (E-5 w/ Dep.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Cavazos (formerly Hood) | Killeen, TX | 76544 | $1,968 |
| Fort Bliss | El Paso, TX | 79916 | $1,944 |
| Fort Sam Houston | San Antonio, TX | 78234 | $2,328 |
| Lackland AFB | San Antonio, TX | 78236 | $2,328 |
| Randolph AFB | Universal City, TX | 78150 | $2,256 |
| NAS Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi, TX | 78419 | $2,124 |
| NAS Kingsville | Kingsville, TX | 78363 | $1,872 |
| Fort Johnson (formerly Polk) | Leesville, LA | 71459 | $1,800 |
| Sheppard AFB | Wichita Falls, TX | 76311 | $1,776 |
| Laughlin AFB | Del Rio, TX | 78843 | $1,704 |
| Dyess AFB | Abilene, TX | 79607 | $1,920 |
| Fort Worth NAS JRB | Fort Worth, TX | 76127 | $2,520 |
Virginia Bases (2026 BAH)
🏛️ Virginia — Mixed, DC Metro Area High
Virginia bases range from very high (DC area) to moderate (Hampton Roads).
| Base / Installation | City / Location | ZIP Code | 2026 BAH (E-5 w/ Dep.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pentagon / JB Anacostia-Bolling | Washington, DC | 20301 | $3,612 |
| Fort Belvoir | Fairfax, VA | 22060 | $3,456 |
| JB Andrews (formerly Andrews AFB) | Camp Springs, MD | 20762 | $3,540 |
| Quantico MCB | Quantico, VA | 22134 | $2,940 |
| Naval Station Norfolk | Norfolk, VA | 23511 | $2,556 |
| NAS Oceana | Virginia Beach, VA | 23460 | $2,520 |
| JB Langley-Eustis | Hampton, VA | 23665 | $2,256 |
| Fort Lee (now Gregg-Adams) | Petersburg, VA | 23801 | $2,148 |
| Dam Neck ANGS | Virginia Beach, VA | 23461 | $2,520 |
| Fort Pickett | Blackstone, VA | 23824 | $1,944 |
Washington State Bases (2026 BAH)
🌲 Washington — High Cost on West Side
JBLM and the Seattle area command high BAH rates due to Pacific Northwest housing costs.
| Base / Installation | City / Location | ZIP Code | 2026 BAH (E-5 w/ Dep.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBLM (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) | Tacoma, WA | 98433 | $2,748 |
| NS Everett | Everett, WA | 98207 | $3,216 |
| NAS Whidbey Island | Oak Harbor, WA | 98278 | $2,484 |
| Fairchild AFB | Spokane, WA | 99011 | $2,160 |
| Yakima Training Center | Yakima, WA | 98901 | $1,944 |
North Carolina Bases (2026 BAH)
🏖️ North Carolina — Mostly Moderate
| Base / Installation | City / Location | ZIP Code | 2026 BAH (E-5 w/ Dep.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Liberty (formerly Bragg) | Fayetteville, NC | 28310 | $2,148 |
| Camp Lejeune MCB | Jacksonville, NC | 28542 | $2,076 |
| MCAS Cherry Point | Havelock, NC | 28533 | $2,016 |
| Seymour Johnson AFB | Goldsboro, NC | 27531 | $1,896 |
| Fort Eisenhower (formerly Gordon) | Augusta, GA | 30905 | $1,944 |
Georgia Bases (2026 BAH)
🍑 Georgia — Affordable
| Base / Installation | City / Location | ZIP Code | 2026 BAH (E-5 w/ Dep.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Moore (formerly Benning) | Columbus, GA | 31905 | $2,028 |
| Fort Eisenhower (formerly Gordon) | Augusta, GA | 30905 | $1,944 |
| Fort Stewart | Hinesville, GA | 31314 | $2,148 |
| Robins AFB | Warner Robins, GA | 31098 | $1,800 |
| Moody AFB | Valdosta, GA | 31699 | $1,776 |
| Hunter Army Airfield | Savannah, GA | 31409 | $2,340 |
Hawaii Bases (2026 BAH)
🌺 Hawaii — Highest BAH in the U.S.
Hawaii remains the most expensive duty station in America, with BAH rates far exceeding the mainland.
| Base / Installation | City / Location | ZIP Code | 2026 BAH (E-5 w/ Dep.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam | Honolulu, HI | 96818 | $4,392 |
| Schofield Barracks | Wahiawa, HI | 96857 | $3,720 |
| MCBH Kaneohe Bay | Kaneohe, HI | 96744 | $4,212 |
| Tripler Army Medical Center | Honolulu, HI | 96859 | $4,140 |
Note: Hawaii BAH is further supplemented with a COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) of about 10% and a higher OHA for some categories.
Alaska Bases (2026 BAH)
❄️ Alaska — COLA Supplemented
Alaska BAH rates appear lower than expected because most members also receive a separate COLA (Cost of Living Allowance).
| Base / Installation | City / Location | ZIP Code | 2026 BAH (E-5 w/ Dep.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBER (Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson) | Anchorage, AK | 99506 | $2,820 |
| Fort Wainwright | Fairbanks, AK | 99703 | $2,640 |
| Eielson AFB | North Pole, AK | 99702 | $2,592 |
| Clear Space Force Station | Anderson, AK | 99704 | $2,400 |
Other Major Bases (2026 BAH)
📍 Additional Duty Stations Worth Knowing
| Base / Installation | City / Location | ZIP Code | 2026 BAH (E-5 w/ Dep.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Campbell | Clarksville, TN | 42223 | $1,860 |
| Fort Knox | Radcliff, KY | 40121 | $1,872 |
| Fort Leonard Wood | Waynesville, MO | 65473 | $1,560 |
| Fort Sill | Lawton, OK | 73503 | $1,572 |
| Fort Riley | Junction City, KS | 66442 | $1,656 |
| Fort Carson | Colorado Springs, CO | 80913 | $2,232 |
| Peterson SFB | Colorado Springs, CO | 80914 | $2,232 |
| Schriever SFB | Colorado Springs, CO | 80912 | $2,232 |
| USAF Academy | Colorado Springs, CO | 80840 | $2,232 |
| Fort Huachuca | Sierra Vista, AZ | 85613 | $1,872 |
| Luke AFB | Glendale, AZ | 85309 | $2,352 |
| Davis-Monthan AFB | Tucson, AZ | 85707 | $2,076 |
| Yuma Proving Ground | Yuma, AZ | 85365 | $1,860 |
| Nellis AFB / Creech AFB | Las Vegas, NV | 89191 | $2,280 |
| Creech AFB | Indian Springs, NV | 89018 | $1,944 |
| Hill AFB | Ogden, UT | 84056 | $2,232 |
| Minot AFB | Minot, ND | 58705 | $1,824 |
| Grand Forks AFB | Grand Forks, ND | 58205 | $1,800 |
| Ellsworth AFB | Rapid City, SD | 57706 | $1,884 |
| F.E. Warren AFB | Cheyenne, WY | 82005 | $1,872 |
| Malmstrom AFB | Great Falls, MT | 59402 | $1,824 |
| West Point USMA | West Point, NY | 10996 | $3,156 |
| Fort Drum | Watertown, NY | 13602 | $2,028 |
| Fort Hamilton (NY City) | Brooklyn, NY | 11252 | $4,032 |
| Westover ARB | Chicopee, MA | 01022 | $2,556 |
| Hanscom AFB | Bedford, MA | 01731 | $3,648 |
Not seeing your base? The full DoD BAH rate table has 400+ MHAs. Use our BAH calculator for your exact ZIP code and rank.
Use Our BAH Calculator
Want your exact 2026 BAH rate in 30 seconds? Our free calculator does the math for you based on your duty station ZIP code, rank, and dependency status.
What Our BAH Calculator Includes
- All 400+ Military Housing Areas (MHAs) nationwide
- 2026 BAH rates for all ranks (E-1 through O-10)
- With and without dependents comparison
- Locality pay breakdown
- Estimated total military compensation
BAH Strategy: Live On Base vs. Off Base
One of the most common financial decisions service members face is whether to live on base or off base. Here's how to think about it:
When to Live On Base
- High-cost areas (San Diego, DC, Honolulu, NY) — On-base housing is often a better deal than renting in these markets
- Junior enlisted (E-1 to E-4) — BAH often doesn't fully cover high rents; on-base housing is guaranteed and predictable
- Families with kids — On-base schools, BX, commissary, and youth programs save thousands annually
- Short tours (1-2 years) — Avoids breaking a lease and moving costs
When to Live Off Base
- Mid- to senior-rank (E-6 and above) — BAH usually exceeds local rent, so you can save/invest the difference
- Low-cost areas (Texas, Oklahoma, the South) — Off-base BAH often covers rent plus utilities with money left over
- Buying a home — Use the VA loan (zero down, no PMI) to buy a home and let BAH pay the mortgage
- Long tours (3+ years) — More time to recoup moving costs and benefit from equity
💡 Pro Tip: The "BAH Arbitrage" Strategy
Many savvy service members practice "BAH Arbitrage" — renting a home for less than their BAH rate and pocketing the difference. Example: An E-6 at Fort Cavazos might receive $2,400/month in BAH but rent a nice 3-bedroom house for $1,500, putting $900/month into savings or a TSP contribution. Over a 4-year tour, that's $43,200 saved.
The VA Loan + BAH Strategy
Another powerful strategy is combining your VA loan benefit with BAH:
- Use your VA loan (0% down, no PMI) to buy a home at your duty station
- Use BAH to pay the mortgage
- After 2+ years, when you PCS, rent out the home using a property manager
- Build a real estate portfolio over a 20-year career
For a complete military pay breakdown, check our Military Pay Calculator and our Retirement Calculator to see how BAH, base pay, and TSP contributions compound over a 20-year career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is BAH for E-5 with dependents in 2026?
BAH for E-5 with dependents in 2026 ranges from approximately $1,560/month at low-cost duty stations like Fort Leonard Wood to $4,200+/month at high-cost areas like San Diego, Honolulu, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The national average is around $2,400/month. Rates depend on your duty station ZIP code, rank, and dependency status.
When are 2026 BAH rates released?
2026 BAH rates were released by the Department of Defense on January 1, 2026, and took effect on January 1, 2026. The rates are typically updated annually based on local rental market data collected by the DoD.
Do I get BAH if I live in government housing on base?
No, you do not receive BAH if you live in on-base government quarters (with some exceptions for partial BAH). When you live on base, your housing is provided in-kind, so you forfeit the BAH allowance. Some service members on orders less than 30 days may receive partial BAH, and those in unique situations (e.g., housing shortage) may receive BAH-Type I or BAH-Type II.
Is BAH taxable in 2026?
No, BAH is tax-free at the federal level, and in most states it's also exempt from state income tax. States like California, New York, and others that follow federal tax treatment do not tax BAH. However, you should consult a tax professional for state-specific rules, especially if you maintain a State of Legal Residence (SLR) in a different state.
Can I use BAH to pay off my mortgage if I live in a different ZIP code?
Generally, you must live within the local commuting area of your duty station to receive full BAH. If you own a home elsewhere and rent near your duty station, you can use BAH for either. Some exceptions exist for separated members, divorce situations, and members stationed in areas with inadequate housing. Always check with your local finance office for your specific situation.
How is BAH calculated for 2026?
BAH is calculated based on (1) local median rental costs for your duty station ZIP code area, (2) average utility costs, (3) your rank, and (4) your dependency status. The DoD surveys rental markets annually and sets rates to cover approximately 95% of housing costs for service members in each Military Housing Area (MHA). 2026 rates reflect a 5.2% average increase aligned with the 2026 military pay raise.
What is the difference between BAH and MHA?
MHA stands for Military Housing Area, which is the geographic region used to calculate BAH rates. Each duty station is assigned to an MHA based on local rental market conditions. MHAs are typically defined by ZIP code clusters around major bases. If you live outside your assigned MHA, you may receive a different (usually lower) BAH rate.
Maximize Your Military Pay & Benefits
BAH is just one piece of your total military compensation. Use our free calculators to see the full picture:
- Military Pay Calculator — See your total pay including BAH, BAS, and special pays
- BAH Calculator — Get your exact 2026 BAH by ZIP code
- Retirement Calculator — Project your 20-year pension
- TSP Withdrawal Calculator — Plan your Thrift Savings Plan withdrawals