Top 15 Military Cities With the Highest BAH in 2026
If you’re stationed in a high-cost area, your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is the backbone of your housing budget. For this 2026 outlook, we use the latest published 2026 BAH tables and current home-price data to spotlight 15 military-heavy cities where allowances are highest and housing remains challenging, so you can plan PCS and homebuying moves strategically.
Quick facts about 2026 high-BAH military cities
- Top BAH markets for an E-5 with dependents cluster in New York, California, Hawaii and South Florida coastal metros.
- New York City, San Francisco, Boston and San Jose all exceed roughly $4,400 in baseline monthly BAH for E‑5 families.
- Many top-BAH cities have median home prices near or above $1 million, especially in Hawaii, California and select island counties.
- Even very high BAH often covers only about half to two-thirds of a typical mortgage payment in the priciest markets today.
- DoD sets BAH using local rental data, while lenders may “gross up” the tax-free allowance when calculating VA loan qualification.
Top questions about BAH and high-cost cities
Which city currently offers the highest BAH baseline?
Using the 2026 BAH tables as a baseline, New York City offers the highest allowance for an E‑5 with dependents, a bit above $5,000 per month. San Francisco, Boston and San Jose follow closely, all reflecting extremely expensive rental markets that drive allowances higher than most other U.S. duty locations.
Will 2026 BAH rates be higher than 2026?
BAH is recalculated every year, and recent updates have produced mid–single-digit percentage increases on average. Whether 2026 rates rise, fall, or stay flat depends on local rental data, not home prices. Historically, high-cost coastal markets tend to remain near the top of the list even when their exact dollar amounts change.
How can a high BAH help me qualify for a VA loan?
Because BAH is non-taxable, many VA lenders treat it as stable income and “gross it up” when calculating your debt-to-income ratio. That can make it easier to qualify for a higher loan amount, especially when combined with base pay or a spouse’s income. The key is documenting continuity and using pre-approval to translate BAH into a realistic price range.
Turn BAH into an actual price range (without guessing)
High BAH helps, but taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and PCS risk still decide whether a payment is sustainable. Compare VA lenders and get pre-approved with numbers you can execute.
How the top 15 BAH Military cities were selected for 2026 planning
The ranking uses published 2026 BAH rates as the baseline because it is the latest standardized, official set of numbers that affects real PCS housing decisions. Cities are included only when they have meaningful Military demand and installations, so the guidance stays operational instead of theoretical.
- This ranking uses the published 2026 BAH tables for an E‑5 with dependents as the planning baseline, because those rates reflect local rent and utilities and drive real PCS housing decisions.
- Only metros with sustained Military demand made the cut, meaning major bases, headquarters, training pipelines, or joint missions where assignments repeat and the local market consistently absorbs Military families.
- Each city is paired with a late‑2026 median home price estimate to create situational awareness, showing you where BAH helps materially and where ownership still requires aggressive risk mitigation.
How to use BAH to buy a home with a VA loan in a high-cost city
If you want mission success, treat this like a checklist: verify the allowance, build a conservative budget, and keep a PCS exit plan ready before you ever go under contract.
- Confirm your current BAH by duty-station ZIP code, rank, and dependency status using official DoD resources, then verify you meet VA eligibility and that your income profile supports occupancy through closing.
- Calculate a conservative housing budget by combining BAH, base pay, and spouse income, then cap housing spend with disciplined DTI targets while budgeting taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and utilities.
- Secure a VA pre-approval with a lender who understands allowances, provide LES, orders, and debt details, and confirm how your tax-free BAH will be treated in underwriting.
- Target neighborhoods where your pre-approval aligns with real prices, then balance commute time, schools, services, and long-term rental demand so the home stays viable if you keep it after PCS.
- Stress-test the payment for PCS and life changes by modeling lower future BAH, a temporary income loss, and realistic vacancy; the objective is a buffer that protects financial readiness.
- Close with a long-term plan: complete inspections, appraisal, and underwriting without shortcuts, then lock an exit strategy—sell, rent, or return—so the home remains an asset, not a liability.
BAH and VA underwriting: what lenders actually count
Your BAH is powerful because it is typically non-taxable and predictable during an assignment, but underwriting still demands documentation, stable income, and an ability to occupy the home. Your objective is not maximum approval; your objective is a payment you can carry through PCS risk, rate swings, and real life.
- Most VA lenders will count BAH as stable income when it is expected to continue, but they still verify orders, duty location, and your ability to occupy the home as your primary residence.
- Because BAH is non-taxable, lenders often apply an income “gross-up” to mirror a pre-tax equivalent; it can improve DTI and residual income, but it does not change your actual cashflow.
- High BAH does not defeat high costs; interest rates, property taxes, insurance, and HOA dues can still dominate the payment, so the right move is conservative underwriting and a PCS stress test.
VA loan guardrails in high-cost BAH cities
These are the four pressure points that routinely derail otherwise qualified Veterans and Military families in expensive metros. Lock them down early and you protect the loan’s critical path.
- Occupancy is mission-essential: you must intend to live in the home as your primary residence within a reasonable timeframe, so align closing, reporting dates, and any deployment realities with your lender early.
- Condo eligibility is a frequent failure point: VA financing generally requires a VA-approved condo project, and unhealthy associations or pending litigation can trigger delays or denials even with strong income.
- Residual income matters: VA underwriting focuses on what you have left after debts and housing costs, so high taxes, insurance, and HOA dues can sink approval when DTI alone looks acceptable.
- Appraisal and property condition are not optional: VA minimum property requirements can require repairs on older homes, and you need negotiation power and timeline buffer to keep the deal alive.
Example: rough BAH-only buying power (planning guardrails)
| Example City | 2026 BAH (E‑5 w/ dependents) | Approx. mortgage BAH can cover | Approx. home price BAH alone supports* |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | $5,073 | ≈$5,000 per month | ≈$660,000 |
| San Diego, CA | $3,987 | ≈$3,900 per month | ≈$520,000 |
| Miami, FL | $3,489 | ≈$3,400 per month | ≈$450,000 |
*These estimates assume a 30‑year fixed-rate VA loan, mid‑single-digit interest, and typical property tax and insurance levels. Actual buying power depends on rates, credit, debt load, property type, and lender overlays, so treat these as planning inputs only.
Top 15 BAH Military cities for 2026 (based on 2026 E‑5 with dependents rates)
The highest-allowance markets cluster around New York, coastal California, New England, Hawaii, and South Florida. These are consistently expensive rental markets, which is exactly what BAH is built to track. Use the table for situational awareness, then validate your exact ZIP-based rate before you execute.
| Rank | City / Region | Major installation(s) | 2026 BAH (E‑5 w/ dependents) | Approx. 2026 median home price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York City, NY | Fort Hamilton | $5,073 | ≈$825,000 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | Coast Guard, regional joint commands | $4,992 | ≈$1,200,000 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | Hanscom AFB, Coast Guard | $4,632 | ≈$870,000 |
| 4 | San Jose / Santa Clara County, CA | Moffett Field, Guard and Reserve units | $4,434 | ≈$1,400,000 |
| 5 | Northern New Jersey (Jersey City region) | Picatinny Arsenal, joint commuters to NYC | $4,392 | ≈$750,000 |
| 6 | Maui County, HI | Space surveillance, training and support | $4,287 | ≈$1,100,000 |
| 7 | Long Island, NY | Coast Guard, Reserve centers, joint commuters | $4,242 | ≈$800,000 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | Naval Base San Diego, MCAS Miramar, more | $3,987 | ≈$930,000 |
| 9 | Camp Pendleton / Oceanside, CA | Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton | $3,921 | ≈$870,000 |
| 10 | Florida Keys / Key West, FL | NAS Key West, Coast Guard | $3,912 | ≈$1,100,000 |
| 11 | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles AFB, Reserve units | $3,741 | ≈$1,020,000 |
| 12 | Oakland / East Bay, CA | Coast Guard Island, regional support | $3,651 | ≈$830,000 |
| 13 | Ventura, CA | Naval Base Ventura County | $3,534 | ≈$870,000 |
| 14 | Honolulu, HI | Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam | $3,513 | ≈$680,000 |
| 15 | Miami / Fort Lauderdale, FL | U.S. Southern Command, Homestead ARB | $3,489 | ≈$600,000 |
Markets like Washington, DC and the Seattle–Tacoma corridor often post strong BAH and high prices, but their E‑5-with-dependents rates typically sit just below this top tier. If you are PCSing there, treat them with the same conservative budgeting and PCS stress-testing.
Want to see what your BAH can really support?
Use the planner above to model your real scenario, then submit the lead form to get lender quotes and a pre-approval that matches your duty station reality.
State-level cost drivers you must price before you buy
New York
New York is a high-friction environment for VA buyers because taxes, building rules, and property type can dominate the approval path. In NYC you’ll see condos, but also a heavy co-op footprint that is usually not VA-eligible, which means you must screen listings fast to protect your timeline. On Long Island, property taxes and flood exposure can change the monthly payment more than the interest rate.
California
California is where BAH looks strong but ownership math stays unforgiving due to price, HOA dues, and add-on costs. Condo and townhome strategies are common for Veterans and Military families, but only if you underwrite the HOA budget, insurance, and special assessments like fixed debt. Commute time is also a cost center; a “cheaper” house can fail the mission if it drives burnout and retention risk.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts mixes high BAH with old housing stock and real winter utility load. You must price heating efficiency, deferred maintenance, and renovation risk early because they affect both livability and VA appraisal outcomes. Competition can be intense around Boston’s employment centers, so lender readiness and clean documentation matter. The right suburb can buy you space, but only if you control commute time and total carrying costs.
New Jersey
New Jersey can stretch NYC-area BAH, but it comes with high property taxes and commuting expenses that many buyers underestimate. Your financial readiness depends on treating transit, tolls, parking, and time as part of the housing cost, not separate spending. Because prices are tied to the NYC economy, maintain flexibility: pick areas with strong rental demand so you can pivot if you PCS before equity builds.
Hawaii
Hawaii is an island logistics problem as much as a housing problem. Inventory is limited, repairs cost more, and condo associations matter because condos are a common entry point for Veterans and Military families using VA financing. Your critical path is confirming project approval, reserves, and insurance coverage so you don’t get stopped late. Build a larger buffer than you would mainland, because surprises cost more here.
Florida
Florida can look affordable compared to coastal California, but insurance and HOA structures are the decisive variables in many metros. Wind, flood, and condo master policies can shift quickly, so you must price insurance early and re-check before closing. Tourism markets can tighten long-term rentals, which matters if you plan to keep the home after PCS. Risk mitigation here is about carrying cost stability through storm cycles.
City-by-city intel for the top 15 high-BAH markets
1. New York City, New York
New York City pays about $5,073 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, but median prices around $825,000 keep pressure on your budget. Fort Hamilton anchors the mission set, yet most Veterans and Military families win here by prioritizing readiness: verify condo or co-op VA eligibility early, model taxes and fees, and choose a commute corridor that protects your monthly payment.
- Treat condos as your primary VA-friendly ownership lane and verify building approval early; co-ops are usually not VA-eligible, so a late discovery can kill your timeline.
- Budget for New York closing costs, transfer taxes, and building fees, then run a conservative DTI and residual-income check so underwriting doesn’t collapse at final approval.
- Use situational awareness on commute corridors: outer boroughs, Long Island, or Northern New Jersey can stretch BAH, but only if transit, parking, and taxes stay controlled.
Local intel: For taxes, housing programs, and neighborhood-level rules that affect affordability, use NYC’s official housing and services hub.
2. San Francisco, California
San Francisco’s 2026 E-5-with-dependents BAH runs about $4,992, but a roughly $1.2 million median price means you need a disciplined plan, not hope. Coast Guard and joint commands drive stable demand. Your critical path is usually a smaller condo or a farther commute, with strict due diligence on HOA dues, insurance, and a PCS exit plan that keeps the loan mission-ready.
- Assume the first plan is not the final plan: many Military buyers execute by targeting smaller condos or East Bay commutes, then protecting readiness with a written PCS exit strategy.
- Underwrite HOA dues like debt, not an afterthought; in San Francisco they can erode qualifying income and trigger lender overlays even when your BAH looks strong on paper.
- Keep risk mitigation tight on insurance and reserves; older buildings, special assessments, and market volatility can turn a “good deal” into a forced sale during a short tour.
Local intel: Before you commit to a payment, verify permits, property rules, and city resources through SF.gov’s San Francisco resident services portal.
3. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston delivers about $4,632 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, while median prices near $870,000 force hard tradeoffs. Hanscom AFB and Coast Guard units keep the assignment pipeline active. To stay in control, treat old housing stock and winter utilities as mission-essential costs, and build your offer strategy around inspection realities, not just the sticker price.
- Expect older properties and competitive offers; tighten your critical path with a lender who can move fast, and build inspection contingencies that still keep you competitive.
- Treat heating, insulation, and deferred maintenance as mission-essential line items; a cheap payment can be a trap if utilities and repairs blow up your monthly burn.
- Target commute corridors that match your duty location and family needs; the right suburb can improve affordability, but only if you price tolls, parking, and time correctly.
Local intel: To confirm assessments, permits, and local requirements that can impact VA appraisal timelines, reference Boston’s official property, tax, and neighborhood resources.
4. San Jose / Santa Clara County, California
San Jose and Santa Clara County post roughly $4,434 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, yet a ~$1.4 million median price makes this one of the toughest ownership theaters. Moffett Field and Guard/Reserve units sustain demand. You usually need dual income, tight debt control, or a condo strategy, plus HOA and assessment analysis that prevents last-minute underwriting surprises.
- Plan for a dual-income or smaller-property strategy; in Santa Clara County, median prices can outrun BAH quickly, so you need disciplined debt control and real cash reserves.
- Do hard due diligence on HOA budgets and special assessments; lenders scrutinize condo projects, and unstable association finances can block VA approval or delay closing.
- Build a PCS-ready rental model before you buy; stress-test conservative rents, vacancy, and repairs so you are not trapped if values flatten when orders change.
Local intel: For zoning, planning updates, and city requirements that shape what you can buy and improve, check San José’s city planning and services website.
5. Northern New Jersey (Jersey City Region), New Jersey
Northern New Jersey around Jersey City pays about $4,392 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, with median prices near $750,000. Picatinny Arsenal and NYC-linked commands create steady movement. This is a tax-and-commute battlefield: property taxes, transit, tolls, and parking can erase your “savings,” so you must price the full monthly burn before you commit.
- Treat New Jersey property taxes as a primary driver of your payment; they can add thousands per year and change the affordability outcome more than a small rate shift.
- Model commuting costs with precision—transit passes, tolls, parking, and vehicle wear—because those expenses can quietly consume the budget space you expected BAH to provide each month.
- Pick neighborhoods with resale depth and rental demand; NYC-linked cycles can move prices fast, so you want flexibility if you need to rent instead of selling after PCS.
Local intel: To lock down municipal taxes, permits, and local services tied to specific addresses, use Jersey City’s official government information center.
6. Maui County, Hawaii
Maui County pays roughly $4,287 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, but a ~$1.1 million median price and tight inventory demand patience. The Maui Space Surveillance Complex and Pacific missions keep housing competition real. Island logistics amplify repair costs, insurance complexity, and HOA risk, so your readiness plan should include reserve funds, inspection discipline, and a rental fallback for PCS.
- Assume limited inventory and longer timelines; keep readiness by securing pre-approval, lining up inspections early, and refusing to waive protections that expose you to hidden defects.
- Price island ownership correctly: repairs, materials, and contractors cost more, and insurance can be complex, so your buffer must cover more than just a monthly payment.
- Treat condo due diligence as mission-critical: review reserves, insurance coverage, and assessment history so you do not inherit a failing association that undermines your VA loan.
Local intel: For rebuilding notices, zoning changes, and infrastructure updates that affect inventory and timelines, monitor Maui County’s official housing and recovery updates.
7. Long Island, New York
Long Island’s 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents is about $4,242, while median prices often push around $800,000. Coast Guard and Reserve centers support sustained Military demand. The win condition is situational awareness: county property taxes and flood exposure can reshape affordability block by block, so you must validate the all-in payment, not just the mortgage number.
- Treat property taxes and flood exposure as non-negotiable intelligence; two similar homes can carry radically different monthly costs, and that difference drives long-term mission success.
- Use BAH to buy space strategically: going farther east can lower price, but only if commuting costs and time do not jeopardize family readiness and retention.
- Budget for older-home maintenance and storm resilience upgrades; Long Island ownership often requires capital for roofs, drainage, windows, and energy efficiency beyond the mortgage payment.
Local intel: When comparing towns on Long Island, validate local services and property-related guidance using Suffolk County’s official property and resident services site.
8. San Diego, California
San Diego pays about $3,987 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, but a roughly $930,000 median price keeps ownership tight. Naval Base San Diego and MCAS Miramar create constant demand. Your best approach is disciplined execution: target inland value, lock in insurance and tax estimates early, and plan for PCS timing so a sale or rental decision stays on your terms.
- Execute on a realistic target set: inland and south county neighborhoods often offer better payment-to-value ratios, while still keeping access to bases and mission support.
- Lock tax, insurance, and HOA estimates early; California add-ons like special assessments and condo fees can turn a manageable number into a budget breach during underwriting review.
- Plan PCS timing like an operation: if you might move in under three years, build a rental or refinance contingency so you avoid selling into a slow market window.
Local intel: To confirm development rules, ADU guidance, and city programs that can change your housing strategy, use San Diego’s official housing and development resources.
9. Camp Pendleton / Oceanside, California
Camp Pendleton/Oceanside receives about $3,921 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, with median prices near $870,000 and heavy neighborhood variation. The base drives dependable demand, but coastal ownership comes with HOA dues, special taxes, and insurance realities. Military families succeed by choosing low-maintenance properties and building a property-management contingency for deployments and future PCS orders.
- Decide early between on-base stability and off-base equity; off-base ownership can work, but only if your payment stays mission-ready during deployments, duty rotations, and training cycles.
- Underwrite HOA dues, Mello-Roos, and coastal insurance with zero optimism; these costs can be the difference between approval and denial even when your BAH and base pay look strong.
- Prioritize low-maintenance properties and trusted property-management options; if orders change, you need a credible plan to rent the home without bleeding cash each month for months.
Local intel: For Oceanside zoning, permitting, and local development signals that can hit resale and rent demand, check Oceanside’s official city services and planning portal.
10. Florida Keys / Key West, Florida
The Florida Keys/Key West area pays about $3,912 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, yet median prices near $1.1 million and limited supply can break weak budgets. NAS Key West drives steady need, but insurance is the real threat vector. You must quote wind and flood coverage early and build a buffer for repairs, vacancy, and storm-driven disruption.
- Treat insurance as the decisive variable, not the mortgage rate; get wind and flood quotes before you shop seriously, because premiums can blow up affordability overnight.
- Assume tighter long-term rentals due to tourism and second homes; keep options open with flexible lease planning and a reserve fund that covers gaps between tenants.
- Build storm readiness into your budget: maintenance, repairs, and temporary displacement costs are real in the Keys, and a thin buffer can turn ownership into crisis.
Local intel: For flood risk, hurricane preparedness, and building-related rules in the Keys, rely on Monroe County’s official Keys property and emergency resources.
11. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles pays roughly $3,741 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, but median prices around $1.0–$1.2 million demand precision. Los Angeles AFB and joint units keep demand constant across a massive metro. Your mission success depends on commute control and HOA discipline: pick a submarket that protects time and cashflow, and underwrite the condo/townhome fees like debt.
- Win on commute control first; Los Angeles traffic is a cost center, so pick a submarket that protects time, fuel spend, and family readiness—not just square footage.
- Condo and townhome plans must include HOA dues, parking fees, and special assessments; treat them like fixed debt so your DTI and residual income stay clean.
- Keep your lender and agent aligned on VA realities; fast-moving listings and appraisal risk require disciplined execution so you reach final approval without avoidable delays.
Local intel: To verify zoning overlays, permits, and neighborhood service info across a massive metro, use Los Angeles’ official city services gateway.
12. Oakland / East Bay, California
Oakland/East Bay pays about $3,651 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, with median prices around $830,000—often more workable than San Francisco. Coast Guard Island anchors demand, but the market varies street to street. Treat seismic risk, older-home maintenance, and transit costs as core planning inputs, and keep a PCS rental plan ready if selling stalls.
- Use micro-market intelligence: Oakland varies block by block, so price, safety, schools, and transit access must all be validated before you commit to a neighborhood.
- Treat seismic retrofits and older-home maintenance as real costs; budget for foundation work, electrical upgrades, permits, contractor delays, and insurance shifts so ownership remains sustainable.
- Build a PCS rental plan from day one; if you cannot cover the payment with conservative rent assumptions, you are operating without a viable exit strategy.
Local intel: For permitting, housing policy changes, and owner-focused city programs, reference Oakland’s official housing and city services site.
13. Ventura, California
Ventura County pays about $3,534 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, with median prices around $870,000 and a more manageable pace than larger California metros. Naval Base Ventura County sustains a steady pipeline. Your risk mitigation focus is hazards and holding time: quote insurance, understand local taxes, and buy only if your PCS window supports the break-even plan.
- Ventura can be more attainable than nearby metros, but you still need hazard awareness; price wildfire, flood, and coastal exposure into insurance and maintenance planning.
- Keep your holding-time math honest; a short tour can erase equity through selling costs, so buy only when your PCS window supports a realistic break-even path.
- Execute with lender readiness: strong documentation, clear orders, and conservative DTI targets help you compete without overextending, and keep the loan on the critical path to closing.
Local intel: To confirm local permitting, code guidance, and services that affect rehab and timelines, use Ventura’s official permits and resident services page.
14. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu pays about $3,513 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, while median prices around $680,000 to seven figures still demand discipline. Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam keeps demand steady. Because condos are common, your underwriting readiness hinges on HOA finances, special assessments, and hazard coverage; treat those line items as mission-essential before you chase a view.
- Expect a condo-heavy battlefield; confirm project approval status, reserve strength, and insurance coverage early, because weak associations and deferred maintenance can derail VA financing late.
- Model the full island payment: HOA dues, utilities, and hazard coverage can materially change affordability, so your budget must be built on all-in verified numbers from day one.
- Plan for PCS risk and tenant demand; if you might keep the home, stress-test rents and vacancy so you can absorb transitions without threatening your financial readiness.
Local intel: For island-wide zoning updates, infrastructure projects, and homeowner resources, bookmark Honolulu’s City & County official services portal.
15. Miami / Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Miami/Fort Lauderdale provides about $3,489 in 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents, with median prices near $600,000 and fast-changing submarkets. U.S. Southern Command and Homestead ARB support demand, but volatility is real. Your critical path is insurance, HOA due diligence, and a conservative payment buffer so a storm season or market pause doesn’t threaten final approval.
- Get insurance quotes before you fall in love with a property; wind, flood, and condo master policies can reshape your monthly cost more than rate changes.
- Treat HOA due diligence as mission-essential: reserves, special assessments, and building condition affect both eligibility and long-term affordability, especially in older South Florida condo inventory.
- Run conservative scenarios for volatility: if values plateau or rents soften, your buffer and debt discipline must still carry the payment to final approval and beyond.
Local intel: To check permitting, neighborhood services, and resilience resources that can affect closing readiness, start with the City of Miami’s official property and resident resources.
The Bottom Line
High BAH markets improve your VA loan posture, but they also amplify risk: HOA dues, insurance, taxes, and short PCS timelines can break buyers who rely on BAH alone. Your mission is simple—secure a conservative payment, document everything early, and maintain a PCS-ready exit plan. If the numbers do not hold under stress, renting is not failure; it is risk mitigation.
References Used
- Defense Travel Management Office – Basic Allowance for Housing overview
- DoD 2026 BAH Rates – All Locations, All Pay Grades (with dependents)
- FINRED – Understanding Basic Allowance for Housing
- MyAirForceBenefits – Basic Allowance for Housing
- VA – Eligibility for VA home loan programs
- Congressional Budget Office – How BAH compares to civilian housing costs
Frequently Asked Questions about BAH in 2026
Will 2026 BAH rates definitely be higher than 2026?
Which military city currently has the highest baseline BAH?
Does BAH always cover my entire mortgage payment?
How do lenders treat BAH when I apply for a VA loan?
Is it better to rent or buy in a high-BAH city?
Why do BAH amounts differ so much between cities?
Does BAH change if my dependents move away from the duty station?
Can dual-military couples both use BAH to qualify for a VA loan?
How often should I re-check my BAH when planning a home purchase?
What happens to my BAH if local rates drop after I buy a home?
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