2026 BAH Calculator
Quickly estimate your monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) based on your pay grade, dependency status, and duty station.
Not active duty—but using the GI Bill? Many people call it "BAH," but the VA typically pays a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for education benefits. We'll help you understand both.
Your BAH Rate
Monthly Allowance
-
Annual Allowance
-
Calculation Details
Use the calculator to estimate:
- •Monthly BAH (and a yearly total)
- •How your estimate changes by rank, location, and dependents
- •What to know if you're actually looking for GI Bill housing (MHA)
Note: This is an estimate for planning. Your official allowance depends on your actual eligibility, orders, and status.
What is BAH?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a housing allowance designed to help eligible service members pay for housing when government quarters aren't provided. It's based on local housing costs—and it isn't meant to match everyone's rent or mortgage perfectly.
Your BAH is mainly driven by:
- •Location (duty station/housing area)
- •Pay grade
- •Dependency status (with dependents vs without dependents)
How BAH is calculated
BAH rates reflect local housing market costs (such as typical rent and utilities) and are adjusted based on pay grade and dependent status.
How often do BAH rates change?
BAH rates are typically updated annually, and changes generally take effect January 1 each year.
Your BAH can also change if your pay grade or dependency status changes.
Important: Rate protection (the "grandfather" rule)
In many cases, if published rates drop in your area, rate protection can prevent your BAH from decreasing as long as your eligibility status stays the same. If you PCS, change pay grade, or your dependency status changes, that protection may not apply.
BAH vs GI Bill MHA
If you're using Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), the housing payment is usually called Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA).
Here's the simple version:
- •MHA is based on the DoD BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents
- •It uses the ZIP code where your training takes place (school/training location)
- •To receive MHA, your rate of pursuit must be more than 50%
- •Online-only MHA is based on half the national average, with a monthly maximum set by VA policy
Good rule of thumb:
If you're trying to estimate GI Bill housing, run the calculator using the training ZIP, and treat it as an estimate of the "E-5 with dependents" baseline—then adjust for your VA education benefit factors (online vs in-person, pursuit rate, eligibility tier).
Quick tips to get a more accurate estimate
- •Use the ZIP code closest to the duty station or training location you'll actually be tied to.
- •Double-check you selected the right with dependents / without dependents status (it changes the rate).
If you're a GI Bill student:
- •Confirm you're more than 50% rate of pursuit (or housing could be $0)
- •If you're online-only, your housing amount may be capped under the online MHA rule