Estimate your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) based on paygrade, dependency status, and region. BAH is a tax-free monthly allowance paid to military service members who do not live in government housing. Use this tool as a planning guide — always verify exact rates at MyArmyBenefits or the official DoD BAH tables.
BAH Estimator
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Estimated Monthly BAH
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Annual BAH Value
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Typical Rate Range
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Pay Grade
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Dependency Status
These are representative estimates. Actual BAH rates vary by Military Housing Area (MHA). Verify at militaryonesource.mil or the official DoD BAH tables.
What Is BAH?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. military compensation benefit that helps service members pay for off-base housing. It is based on median rental prices in each Military Housing Area (MHA), the service member's pay grade, and whether they have dependents. BAH is tax-free and does not count toward gross income for federal income tax purposes.
BAH rates are set annually by the Department of Defense and are designed to cover approximately 95% of housing costs in each geographic area. Rates vary widely by location — a service member at E-5 with dependents in rural Alabama might receive ~$1,200/month, while the same grade in San Diego or Washington D.C. could receive $2,800–$3,500/month.
Dependency Status — Members with dependents receive higher rates
Military Housing Area (MHA) — Based on local civilian rental market costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BAH taxable income?+
No. BAH is tax-free and excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. It does not affect your eligibility for tax credits or deductions based on adjusted gross income. This makes BAH especially valuable — a $2,000/month BAH in a high-cost area is worth significantly more than $2,000 in taxable income.
Does BAH cover my full rent?+
BAH is designed to cover the median rental cost for appropriate housing in your area (typically 95% of local rental costs). If you choose housing costing less, you keep the difference. If you choose more expensive housing, you pay the difference out of pocket. You are not required to spend your BAH only on housing.
Where can I find the exact BAH rate for my location?+
Exact BAH rates by MHA are published annually at militaryonesource.mil and the official Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website. You can look up rates by pay grade, dependency status, and specific zip code. This calculator provides estimates only.