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Military Benefits Information for US Military, Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Spouses and Military Family

You are here: Home / 2021 BAH Basic Allowance for Housing Rates

2021 BAH Basic Allowance for Housing Rates

The 2021 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates will increase on average 2.9 percent. The increase is an average for all areas and actual rates will continue to be set by the individual location based on the current local rental housing market survey process.

BAH Rates Basic Allowance for Housing

The 2021 BAH increase will be effective on January 1, 2021, and service members will see the increase in their pay on January 15th, 2021. Actual BAH increases vary by location.

BAH covers 95% of housing expenses while service members pay the remaining 5% out of pocket. The out-of-pocket expense amounts incorporated in the 2021 BAH rates vary by grade and dependency status and range from $70 to $158 monthly.


2021 BAH Calculator

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

Enter Duty zip code and not residence zip code. BAH rates are based on duty zip code.


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* 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)

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FY2012 – FY2019 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Comparison

Not all locations will see BAH increases, as the housing allowance is based on the duty station zip code. For veterans using Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits, the BAH is based in the zip code of the school and corresponds with the cost of living for that zip code. Cities with higher costs of living such as Honolulu, Chicago, and Los Angeles have very high BAH rates to offset those costs. Small or rural cities such as Tacoma or Colorado Springs have a lower cost of living and are assigned a lower allowance. New BAH rates will affect all military members, including veterans using the GI Bill®. Note that “rate protection” ensures members currently living in locations set to receive a decrease will continue to receive the old BAH rate. New, lower BAH rates will be applied to troops moving into a new area and to those who change dependency status or rank.


2021 BAH Rates by The Numbers

Areas with 10 Highest BAH Rates*

  1. San Francisco, CA (MHA: CA019)
  2. Santa Clara County, CA (MHA: CA044)
  3. Westchester County, NY (MHA: NY349)
  4. Long Island, NY (MHA: NY218)
  5. Nantucket, MA (MHA: MA119)
  6. New York City, NY (MHA: NY219)
  7. Marin/Sonoma, CA (MHA: CA027)
  8. Boston, MA (MHA: MA120)
  9. Oakland, CA (MHA: CA018)
  10. Florida Keys, FL (MHA: FL069)

Areas with 10 Lowest BAH Rates*

  1. Terre Haute, IN (MHA: IN338)
  2. Fort Leonard Wood, MO (MHA: MO163)
  3. Youngstown, OH (MHA: OH233)
  4. Anniston/Fort McClelland, AL (MHA: AL001)
  5. Charleston, WV (MHA: WV323)
  6. Sault Ste Marie, MI (MHA: MI145)
  7. Saginaw, MI (MHA: MI156)
  8. Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith, AR (MHA: AR012)
  9. Saint Joseph, MO (MHA: MO344)
  10. Fort Still/Lawton, OK (MHA: OK237)

*Average across pay grades. Individual pay grades by area may rank lower or higher.


2021 BAH National Cost‐Sharing Amounts

The table below shows computed cost‐sharing (out‐of‐pocket) amounts based on a reduction of five percent of the national mean for each pay grade.

Pay GradeWith DependentsWithout Dependents
E018670
E028670
E038670
E048670
E059584
E0610489
E0710791
E0811299
E09119101
W019171
W0210792
W03114102
W04119107
W05123110
O01E10996
O02E114100
O03E122109
O019181
O029989
O03113103
O04131117
O05143123
O06150134
O07158145

*The cost sharing amounts are based on 5% of the National Mean BAH Rate for each paygrade. These amounts are calculated IAW Title 37 Sec. 403.


Historical BAH Rate Increases

Year Proposed Increase/Decrease Actual Increase
2021 2.90% – 3.70% 2.90%
2020 2.90% 2.8%
2019 2.90% 2.55%
2018 2.90% 0.7%
2017 2.90% 2.4%
2016 1.30% 3.4%
2015 -5.00% 0.5%
2014 4.20% 5.00%
2013 4.20% 3.80%
2012 4.20% 2.0%

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2021 Military Pay Raise Historical Military Pay Charts
2021 BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) Rates 2021 Defense Budget
2021 Military Pay Charts Military Allowance, Incentive, Bonus & Special Pay
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GI Bill Payment Dates Military Clothing (Uniform) Allowance Rates

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