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.
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
* 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*
- San Francisco, CA (MHA: CA019)
- Santa Clara County, CA (MHA: CA044)
- Westchester County, NY (MHA: NY349)
- Long Island, NY (MHA: NY218)
- Nantucket, MA (MHA: MA119)
- New York City, NY (MHA: NY219)
- Marin/Sonoma, CA (MHA: CA027)
- Boston, MA (MHA: MA120)
- Oakland, CA (MHA: CA018)
- Florida Keys, FL (MHA: FL069)
Areas with 10 Lowest BAH Rates*
- Terre Haute, IN (MHA: IN338)
- Fort Leonard Wood, MO (MHA: MO163)
- Youngstown, OH (MHA: OH233)
- Anniston/Fort McClelland, AL (MHA: AL001)
- Charleston, WV (MHA: WV323)
- Sault Ste Marie, MI (MHA: MI145)
- Saginaw, MI (MHA: MI156)
- Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith, AR (MHA: AR012)
- Saint Joseph, MO (MHA: MO344)
- 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 Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | 86 | 70 |
| E02 | 86 | 70 |
| E03 | 86 | 70 |
| E04 | 86 | 70 |
| E05 | 95 | 84 |
| E06 | 104 | 89 |
| E07 | 107 | 91 |
| E08 | 112 | 99 |
| E09 | 119 | 101 |
| W01 | 91 | 71 |
| W02 | 107 | 92 |
| W03 | 114 | 102 |
| W04 | 119 | 107 |
| W05 | 123 | 110 |
| O01E | 109 | 96 |
| O02E | 114 | 100 |
| O03E | 122 | 109 |
| O01 | 91 | 81 |
| O02 | 99 | 89 |
| O03 | 113 | 103 |
| O04 | 131 | 117 |
| O05 | 143 | 123 |
| O06 | 150 | 134 |
| O07 | 158 | 145 |
*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% |
