BAH Calculator
Basic Allowance for Housing
Use the BAH calculator below to find your 2025 BAH rate. Enter your pay grade, dependent status and duty station (ZIP code or city) to see your monthly and annual BAH amount.
Basic Allowance for Housing calculations based on data from the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Travel Management Office.
See Past BAH Rates
Recent BAH Values
About Basic Allowance for Housing
Military members not living in government-owned housing receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), a monthly payment designed to cover off-base housing costs. While many service members use BAH for rent, putting it toward a home purchase can be a powerful way to build long-term wealth and stability.
The exact amount of BAH you receive depends on your pay grade, dependency status and duty station location. Use the calculator above to see your eligible BAH and explore how it could help you invest in homeownership.
How BAH is Calculated
BAH rates are calculated by taking into account the housing costs in the market you’re stationed in, as well as your pay grade and dependency status. Because these factors often change, your BAH may change as well.
Generally speaking, higher-ranking military personnel and those with more years of service will receive higher BAH payments. BAH rates are also higher in costlier housing markets.
The Department of Defense determines BAH rates by evaluating the median rental housing costs for comparable civilian housing and the average cost of utilities in a location. That rate is adjusted based on your pay grade and dependency status.
How often are BAH rates updated?
BAH rates are updated annually based on housing costs. If rents and home prices change in a particular market, BAH rates will follow suit on January 1 of the next year. If your pay grade or dependency status changes, then your BAH will update immediately and your BAH payment will reflect your new status the following month.
Yearly BAH Rate Changes
BAH rates increased by 5.4% in 2025, the same amount as in 2024. While not a record high, 2025’s BAH increase remains significant compared to typical adjustments over the past decade.
| Year | Proposed Increase/Decrease | Actual Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4.5% | 5.4% |
| 2024 | 3.9% | 5.4% |
| 2023 | 4.2% | 12.1% |
| 2022 | 3.1% | 5.1% |
| 2021 | 2.90% – 3.70% | 2.90% |
| 2020 | 2.90% | 2.8% |
| 2019 | 2.90% | 2.55% |
| 2018 | 2.90% | 0.7% |
| 2017 | 2.90% | 2.4% |
| 2016 | 1.30% | 3.4% |
| 2015 | -5.00% | 0.5% |
| 2014 | 4.20% | 5.00% |
What if my BAH rate went down this year?
Your BAH payment can decrease if you’ve moved to a lower pay grade or your dependency status changes. For example, your BAH would decline if you no longer had a dependent child in your household.
However, BAH rates cannot decrease due to market changes. If home prices or rents fall in your duty station area, BAH rate protection (or the Grandfather Clause) protects your previous higher BAH rate. Your BAH rate can’t drop as long as you remain at your current duty station and don’t have a pay grade reduction or change in dependency status.
Can you count BAH as income for VA loan applications?
Yes, lenders recognize and count BAH as a source of income, and you can use your BAH as income when applying for a VA loan. How far that BAH goes will depend on the price of the home you choose. In many cases, it may cover the mortgage payment entirely, and you may even have funds left over for other expenses, like utilities or HOA dues.
If you choose a particularly high-priced home, you may need to put additional money toward your monthly payments. Your VA lender can help you determine what price range to shop in if you want to avoid this..
Are you considering buying a house with a VA loan? Learn more in the comprehensive guide to getting a VA mortgage using your BAH income.
Dual Military BAH (Military Couples)
If you and your partner are both military members, then BAH can be a little confusing. Generally, military couples will each get their own BAH, even once married. When dependents enter the picture, the BAH situation gets more nuanced.
For military couples with dependent children, just one of the service members would be able to get the with-dependent BAH rate. Typically, you’d use the higher-ranking member, while the other would continue getting their single BAH payment.
If you’re a military couple living apart — meaning you’re stationed in different locations — the partner with whom the dependents live will receive the with-dependent BAH.
Using the BAH Calculator for MHA
Though it’s similar to a BAH, payments under the GI Bill are called Monthly Housing Allowances, or MHAs. If you’re a Veteran, reservist, National Guard member, military spouse or child using the GI Bill, you’re eligible for funds to offset your housing costs, too.
MHA is similar to BAH but with a few key differences:
- MHA is based on where you take most of your classes — not where you're stationed
- Rates are calculated using the BAH for an E-5 with dependents
- You must be enrolled at least 50.1% of a full-time course load to qualify
To estimate your MHA, enter "E-5" as your pay grade, check "with dependents" and input your school’s city and state into the BAH calculator.
While MHA can help with housing costs, most mortgage lenders cannot count it as stable, reliable income when qualifying for a loan. If you’re looking to buy a home, you’ll likely need additional income sources to meet VA loan requirements.
Related Articles
Using Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) on VA Loans
Can I Qualify for a VA Loan Using GI Bill Assistance?
Counting Income and Allowances for Active Military, Guard & Reserve
Getting a VA Loan While Active Duty
