2026 BAH Rate Calculator
Look up your Basic Allowance for Housing rate by duty station, pay grade, and dependency status. All 338 MHA locations included.
Select a location to see your BAH rate
What Is BAH?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a monthly payment to service members that offsets the cost of housing when government quarters are not provided. The amount varies based on three factors: your duty station location, your pay grade, and whether you have dependents.
BAH rates are recalculated annually by the Department of Defense based on median housing costs in each Military Housing Area (MHA). The 2026 rates went into effect on January 1, 2026.
How BAH Affects Your VA Loan
Your BAH is a key part of your income when qualifying for a VA loan. Lenders count BAH as stable, non-taxable income — which means it goes further than taxable income when calculating your debt-to-income ratio. A good VA loan officer will factor this in properly.
For example, $2,400/month in BAH has the purchasing power equivalent of roughly $3,000/month in taxable income (depending on your tax bracket). This can significantly increase the home price you qualify for.
Data source: Department of Defense 2026 BAH rates, effective January 1, 2026. This calculator is for informational purposes only.