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BAH Calculator (Basic Allowance for Housing)
Estimate 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing by pay grade, dependents, and ZIP cost zone. Includes total compensation stack.
FINANCEEstimate your 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) by pay grade, dependent status, and ZIP cost zone. Shows how BAH integrates with base pay and BAS into a US service member's total cash compensation.
BAH is tax-free, paid only when living off-base. At a 22% combined federal+state marginal rate, $2,000/month BAH equals about $2,560/month in pre-tax W-2 pay. Rates vary by ZIP code (DoD adjusts annually based on civilian rental markets), pay grade (E-1 through O-10), and with vs without dependents (with-dependents ~15-17% higher).
Disclaimer: Estimates only. Always check official DoD BAH tables at travel.dod.mil for your exact ZIP and pay grade.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is my BAH amount determined?
Three factors: your pay grade (E-1 through O-10), your dependent status (with vs without dependents - with is roughly 15-17% higher), and your duty station ZIP code (the DoD calculates ZIP-by-ZIP rates from civilian rental data). DoD updates rates every January. Live off-base to draw cash BAH; live on-base and the government keeps it.
Why is BAH tax-free?
Section 134 of the Internal Revenue Code excludes BAH (and BAS) from gross income because they are considered "in-kind" military benefits, not wages. The practical effect: $2,000/month BAH equals about $2,560/month in pre-tax W-2 pay (at a 22% combined federal+state rate). This is why total military compensation can rival much higher-paid civilian jobs.
Does BAH change if my spouse is also military?
Yes - dual military couples typically both draw without-dependents BAH (one each, not the higher with-dependents rate for both). The exception is when they have a non-active-duty dependent (a child): then only one spouse draws the with-dependents rate. Always check with your finance office for the specifics.
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