Search by pay grade and ZIP code or duty station to get the most accurate 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates. Works for all military branches and locations that receive BAH.
How much home do you qualify for with your 2026 BAH?
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Source: Department of Defense, DTMO. Effective January 1, 2026. Verify at travel.dod.mil
Basic Allowance for Housing is one of the most powerful financial tools available to active-duty service members. Understanding how it works — especially combined with a VA loan — can put you on the path to homeownership faster than you think.
Because BAH is tax-free, VA-approved lenders can "gross up" the amount by 25% when calculating your debt-to-income ratio. If your BAH is $2,500/month, it could count as $3,125/month for qualification purposes. Combined with the VA loan's $0 down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance, your BAH alone may cover your entire mortgage in many markets across the country.
The Department of Defense released 2026 BAH rates on December 11, 2025, with an average increase of 4.2% nationally. Rates are based on rental data from 299 Military Housing Areas and include a 5% member cost-sharing element. Some areas saw increases above 10%, while a small number of MHAs saw decreases. Rate protection ensures your BAH won't go down if you stay at the same duty station.
Enter your ZIP code, or type a base name like "MacDill AFB," "Fort Liberty," or "Camp Pendleton" to find your duty station instantly. Select your pay grade to see both with-dependents and without-dependents rates. The calculator covers all 299 Military Housing Areas across the entire United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. GI Bill students can look up their Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) by entering their school's ZIP code and selecting E-5 with dependents.
Read our guide on 2026 BAH Rates and how your housing allowance can help you buy a home with a VA loan.