Enter your pay grade, duty station zip code and dependents to see the 2024 BAH rates for your duty station.
When to Calculate Basic Allowance for Housing
Our BAH calculator is most helpful when you face at least one of the following situations:
- Permanent change of station (PCS)
- Change in paygrade
- Change in dependency status
- New BAH rates are released
Learn more: Check out the latest BAH rates including non-locality rates and BAH differentials.
Considerations When Using the BAH Calculator
Make Sure You Use Your Duty Station’s Location
The DoD determines your BAH based on your duty station’s location, not your home address. According to the DoD, “Using a member’s residence location as the basis for BAH would create warped incentives for service members.” Be sure to put your duty station’s zip code or city in the calculator above. You can use the USPS’ zip code lookup if you’re unsure where your duty station is located.
Your BAH can be used as income towards a VA home loan, but home prices can vary widely in neighborhoods around a base, so do your due diligence when considering where to live.
Account for BAH Rate Protection
BAH pay cannot decrease due to market fluctuations when new rates are released each year. If housing prices or rents drop in your duty station area, BAH rate protection ensures that your previous higher BAH rate remains protected, meaning your BAH will not decrease as long as you stay at your current station.
However, your BAH payment can decrease if you are moved to a lower pay grade, change duty stations, or if your dependency status changes. For example, if you PCS from Fort Irwin Army Base in southern California to Fort Novosel Army Base in Alabama, where the cost of living is lower on average, you are likely to see a decrease in your basic allowance for housing.
Learn More: See this comprehensive BAH guide.
