DoD Releases 2026 BAH Rates: 4.2% Average Increase
WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense has officially released Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for 2026, with an average increase of 4.2% across all 299 military housing areas.
2026 BAH Highlights
- Average Increase: 4.2%
- Total Budget: $29.9 billion
- Service Members Covered: ~1 million
- Effective: January 1, 2026
Regional Variations
While the average increase is 4.2%, rates vary significantly by location. Some high-cost areas will see increases above 5%, while a few areas will experience rate decreases.
Service members in areas with decreased rates are protected—they keep their current BAH rate as long as they remain stationed there.
Top Increase Areas
- Austin, TX metro area: +6.8%
- Hampton Roads, VA: +5.4%
- Jacksonville, FL: +5.2%
Check Your Rate
Use the official DoD BAH Calculator to find your specific 2026 rate by ZIP code and pay grade.
View complete 2026 BAH rate details →
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