BAH Calculator
Estimate your Basic Allowance for Housing by duty station and pay grade — then see what it means for your home buying budget at your next PCS.
Pick a duty station to see your estimate — it updates live as you change options.
Estimates are based on representative published BAH rates and are for planning purposes only. Your exact rate is set by the Department of Defense by ZIP code, pay grade, and dependency status — verify at the official DoD BAH rate lookup.
What Is BAH?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a monthly, non-taxable allowance paid to service members to offset the cost of housing when government quarters aren't provided. Rates are set annually by the Department of Defense based on local rental market data at each duty station, your pay grade, and whether you have dependents.
BAH and Buying a Home
Here's what many military families don't realize: BAH can pay your mortgage. Lenders count BAH as effective income for VA loan qualification, and because it's tax-free, many lenders "gross it up" — treating it as worth more than its face value when calculating what you qualify for.
Combine that with the VA loan's $0 down payment and no PMI, and in many markets your BAH covers most or all of a monthly mortgage payment — meaning you build equity instead of mailing rent checks. Learn more in our VA Loan Guide.
BAH Quick Facts
- BAH is non-taxable — a dollar of BAH goes further than a dollar of base pay.
- Rates update every January and are tied to your duty station ZIP code.
- Rate protection generally prevents your BAH from dropping while you stay at the same duty station.
- You keep the difference if your housing costs less than your BAH.
- Dual-military couples can each receive BAH.
FAQ
Does BAH change when I PCS?
Yes — your rate is tied to your duty station ZIP code, so it changes with every PCS. Check the guide for your next state in our PCS State Guides to see typical housing costs before you move.
Is BAH counted as income for a mortgage?
Yes. VA lenders count BAH as stable, effective income, and its tax-free status often allows it to be grossed up during qualification.
What if my duty station isn't listed?
This tool covers major installations. For any ZIP code, use the official DoD rate lookup — or call us at (719) 259-2246 and we'll run your exact numbers.
See what your BAH can buy.
A VA loan specialist can turn your BAH estimate into a real pre-approval in about a day.
Call (719) 259-2246