2021 BAH rates charts by grade, state and local MHA (Military Housing Area) broken out with and without dependents.
See the latest update on the 2021 Basic Allowance for Housing rates.
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)
Note: About half the U.S. Counties (about 1,500) have little to no military population. While half is significant, less than two percent of service members that are eligible for BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) are within these counties. In order to account for these service members there are approximately 30 separate County Cost Groups (CCGs) assigned, each with similar housing costs. Use the BAH Calculator to enter your zip code to determine your Military Housing Area (MHA) aka County Cost Group. They range from ZZ530 to ZZ890 in increments of 10.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Calculation Factors
BAH Rates are determined by three factors:
- Permanent Duty Station (ZIP code)
- Pay grade (not rank but may be the same)
- Dependency status ( with‐dependents and without‐dependents, not the number of dependents)
BAH compensation is determined by the cost of rental housing in local markets within the US.
BAH Changes Timeline
FY 2020-2021
No changes to BAH are currently planned.
FY 2019
95% of service members’ housing costs are covered.
FY 2018
96% of service members’ housing costs are covered.
FY 2017
97% of service members’ housing costs are covered.
FY 2016
The FY 2016 NDAA authorized growth slow-down of BAH by 1% per year until 5% out-of-pocket is reached. Phased in 1% increments per year over 4 years. 98% of service members’ housing costs are covered. Actual implementation of out-of-pocket adjustment is computed based on a percentage of the national median cost, so that the actual out-of-pocket dollar amount will be the same by grade and dependency status in every military housing area.
FY 2015
Authorized the monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates to be set at 99% (vs. 100%) of the median rental housing costs. 99% of housing costs are covered.
By 2005
Housing allowance rates were increased enough so that median out-of-pocket “off-base” housing cost was completely eliminated for members by pay grade, location, and dependency status. The Military Services entered into numerous public-private ventures (PPVs) designed to eliminate inadequate government housing by leveraging private sector financing, expertise, and innovation to provide necessary housing faster and more efficiently than traditional Military Construction processes allowed.
Late 1990s
Defense Department increases housing allowance rates to bring them in line with actual rental market housing costs across the country and to reduce out-of-pocket housing costs for military members. Prior to this initiative, allowances covered only about 80% of housing costs, leaving an out-of-pocket expense of up to 20%.
