The 2015 BAH rate will increase on average $17 per month or 0.5 percent. There is a .5% increase despite removal of these two factors from the BAH rate computation for 2015.
See the proposed 2016 BAS (Basic Allowance for Housing) rates here.
- 1% Removed from BAH – The Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act reduced housing rates on average one percent for service members
- Renter’s Insurance – Contributed an average of one percent to rates, was eliminated
The Pentagon will maintain individual rate protection for service members so no one will see a reduction in BAH. Service members have individual rate protection against any decrease and only newly reporting members to a location would receive the lower BAH rate or upon a PCS move to a new stateside location.member.
The defense bill originally included a 5% reduction that had service members paying 5% out-of-pocket costs and the loss of renters insurance (1%) factored into BAH.
Veterans are exempt from the BAH reduction and thus Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients will not see monthly stipends reduced.
BAH rates are part of the Defense Budget which typically gets signed into law at the end of December and was signed into law on December 19th, 2014.
See the 2015 BAH rate component breakdown for each MHA. This table shows the average percentage that rent and utilities provides to the total housing cost in each MHA.
Future BAH Reductions:
The DOD has been proposing that service members slowly start to pay 5% of out-of-pocket costs and to eliminate renters insurance from BAH rate calculations, which would be another 1%. Over a three year period, this would effectively reduce BAH payments by 6%. If enacted, the BAH cuts would become effective upon a service members next PCS move. Service member’s remaining in their BAH would not see a decrease.
Keep in mind, the BAH rate increase is an average increase across all locations. BAH rates vary by location and not everyone will see the same increase, if any at all. Actual increases will be based on a “by location” housing market analysis conducted for the Department of Defense and a food cost index prepared by the Department of Agriculture, both of which are measured much closer to the effective date to ensure they best capture the actual cost impact on the service member.
| 2012-2015 BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) Comparison | ||
| Year | Proposed Increase/Decrease | Actual Increase |
| 2015 | – 5.00% * | 0.5% |
| 2014 | 4.20% | 5.00% |
| 2013 | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| 2012 | 4.20% | 2.00% |
2021 BAH Calculator
* Enter Duty zip code and not residence zip code. BAH rates are based on duty zip code.
** Click here for the OHA calculator (Overseas Housing Allowance calculator)
Veterans, dependents, National Guard and reserves can use the MHA Calculator to see estimated monthly housing payments for the GI Bill which can differ from the BAH calculator.
2015 BAH Charts
2015 – With Dependents BAH Rates
2015 – Without Dependents BAH Rates
The BAH rate increases are for all branches of the military, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, and Reserves forces where applicable.
