2026 BAH Rates Rise 4.2% on Average

in Allowances, BAH Rates, News 2 min read

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.

Military pay and compensation

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 →

Financial planning and budgeting
Michael Rodriguez

Michael Rodriguez

Author & Expert

Michael Rodriguez is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant with 22 years of military service and extensive experience navigating military pay and benefits systems. After serving in finance roles at multiple installations, Michael now helps service members and veterans maximize their compensation and benefits. He holds certifications in military pay operations and personal financial counseling. Michael is passionate about ensuring service members understand their entitlements and make informed financial decisions throughout their military careers.

47 Articles
View All Posts

You Might Also Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe for Updates

Get the latest articles delivered to your inbox.