2026 BAH Rates in Minnesota – ZIP Code Housing Allowance
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates in Minnesota are now available. This tax-free housing benefit helps military personnel pay for off-base housing based on ZIP code, pay grade, and dependent status. Whether you’re stationed at Camp Ripley, working out of Fort Snelling, or assigned to a reserve unit in Duluth or the Twin Cities, your updated BAH rates are below.
Minnesota saw modest BAH increases in 2026, especially near Minneapolis (55417), St. Cloud (56303), and Duluth (55811). For broader trends, check our 2026 BAH update page or explore benefits in the Minnesota VA loan guide.
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What is the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)?
BAH is a monthly, tax-free stipend provided to active-duty military members who live off base. In Minnesota, this includes service members assigned to Camp Ripley, Fort Snelling, or part of a reserve component in cities like Minneapolis, Duluth, or Rochester.
How BAH Rates Are Calculated
- Location: ZIP codes like 55417 (Minneapolis), 56345 (Camp Ripley), and 55811 (Duluth) are evaluated using local rental data.
- Rank: Higher pay grades receive larger housing allowances.
- Dependents: Members with dependents qualify for higher BAH to reflect family housing needs.
How to Read the BAH Charts
- Find your assigned ZIP code or base location
- Select your pay grade (e.g., E-6, O-2)
- Compare rates for “with” or “without” dependents
How to Use Your BAH to Buy a Home
Many service members in Minnesota use their BAH to buy instead of rent. With a VA home loan, your housing allowance may cover the full mortgage in places like Brainerd, St. Cloud, or even Rochester.
Benefits of a VA loan in Minnesota:
- No down payment required for most VA-approved properties
- No PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)
- Credit flexibility and manual underwriting for unique situations
- Competitive VA mortgage rates compared to conventional loans
Using your BAH to buy a home in Minnesota can help you build long-term equity while serving.
Minnesota Housing Costs & BAH Impact
Minnesota’s housing market is relatively balanced, with affordable options in rural areas and moderate pricing in cities like St. Paul and Rochester. BAH generally covers full rent near Camp Ripley and Duluth. In Minneapolis-St. Paul, costs are higher, but 2026 BAH increases reflect those urban rental trends. Military families across the state can expect solid housing support from their monthly allowance.
DULUTH, MN BAH Rates
Military Housing Area: MN158
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,842 | $1,404 |
| E02 | $1,842 | $1,404 |
| E03 | $1,842 | $1,404 |
| E04 | $1,842 | $1,404 |
| E05 | $1,974 | $1,596 |
| E06 | $2,121 | $1,716 |
| E07 | $2,157 | $1,845 |
| E08 | $2,193 | $2,010 |
| E09 | $2,280 | $2,040 |
| W01 | $2,136 | $1,806 |
| W02 | $2,172 | $2,007 |
| W03 | $2,223 | $2,049 |
| W04 | $2,307 | $2,121 |
| W05 | $2,412 | $2,163 |
| O01E | $2,160 | $1,971 |
| O02E | $2,214 | $2,034 |
| O03E | $2,319 | $2,109 |
| O01 | $2,001 | $1,704 |
| O02 | $2,118 | $1,935 |
| O03 | $2,220 | $2,064 |
| O04 | $2,445 | $2,148 |
| O05 | $2,604 | $2,166 |
| O06 | $2,625 | $2,202 |
| O07 | $2,646 | $2,241 |
BAH for DULUTH, MN includes the following zip codes: 54820, 54836, 54838, 54842, 54849, 54854, 54864, 54873, 54874, 54880, 54890, 55602, 55702, 55703, 55705, 55706, 55707, 55708, 55710, 55711, 55713, 55717, 55718, 55719, 55720, 55723, 55724, 55725, 55726, 55731, 55732, 55733, 55734, 55736, 55738, 55741, 55746, 55749, 55750, 55751, 55757, 55758, 55763, 55765, 55766, 55767, 55768, 55771, 55772, 55777, 55779, 55780, 55781, 55782, 55790, 55791, 55792, 55796, 55797, 55798, 55801, 55802, 55803, 55804, 55805, 55806, 55807, 55808, 55810, 55811, 55812, 55814, 55815, 55816
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MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL, MN BAH Rates
Military Housing Area: MN159
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,112 | $1,584 |
| E02 | $2,112 | $1,584 |
| E03 | $2,112 | $1,584 |
| E04 | $2,112 | $1,584 |
| E05 | $2,376 | $1,782 |
| E06 | $2,628 | $1,968 |
| E07 | $2,676 | $2,121 |
| E08 | $2,724 | $2,430 |
| E09 | $2,826 | $2,496 |
| W01 | $2,643 | $2,025 |
| W02 | $2,697 | $2,427 |
| W03 | $2,763 | $2,508 |
| W04 | $2,853 | $2,631 |
| W05 | $2,967 | $2,685 |
| O01E | $2,679 | $2,373 |
| O02E | $2,751 | $2,481 |
| O03E | $2,868 | $2,616 |
| O01 | $2,412 | $1,842 |
| O02 | $2,625 | $2,292 |
| O03 | $2,760 | $2,532 |
| O04 | $3,003 | $2,670 |
| O05 | $3,174 | $2,694 |
| O06 | $3,201 | $2,742 |
| O07 | $3,225 | $2,790 |
BAH for MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL, MN includes the following zip codes: 55001, 55003, 55005, 55010, 55011, 55014, 55016, 55020, 55024, 55025, 55031, 55033, 55038, 55042, 55043, 55044, 55047, 55054, 55055, 55065, 55068, 55070, 55071, 55073, 55075, 55076, 55077, 55082, 55083, 55085, 55090, 55101, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55109, 55110, 55111, 55112, 55113, 55114, 55115, 55116, 55117, 55118, 55119, 55120, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55124, 55125, 55126, 55127, 55128, 55129, 55130, 55131, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55146, 55150, 55155, 55164, 55170, 55303, 55304, 55305, 55306, 55311, 55315, 55316, 55317, 55318, 55322, 55323, 55327, 55331, 55337, 55339, 55340, 55343, 55344, 55345, 55346, 55347, 55352, 55356, 55357, 55359, 55360, 55361, 55364, 55367, 55368, 55369, 55372, 55374, 55375, 55378, 55379, 55384, 55386, 55387, 55388, 55391, 55397, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55405, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55414, 55415, 55416, 55417, 55418, 55419, 55420, 55421, 55422, 55423, 55424, 55425, 55426, 55427, 55428, 55429, 55430, 55431, 55432, 55433, 55434, 55435, 55436, 55437, 55438, 55439, 55440, 55441, 55442, 55443, 55444, 55445, 55446, 55447, 55448, 55449, 55450, 55454, 55455, 55458, 55459, 55467, 55470, 55472, 55474, 55478, 55479, 55480, 55483, 55484, 55485, 55486, 55487, 55488, 55554, 55569, 55572, 55573, 55577, 55592, 55593, 55599, 56011, 56071
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