2025 BAH Rates in New Hampshire – Military Housing by ZIP Code
The 2025 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates in New Hampshire are now official. These tax-free monthly payments are designed to help military service members cover the cost of off-base housing. Rates are based on your duty location’s ZIP code, rank, and whether you have dependents. Whether you’re posted near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Pease Air National Guard Base, or serving in cities like Manchester or Nashua, your updated BAH figures are below.
New Hampshire’s BAH adjustments for 2025 reflect increased rental costs in coastal and southern areas. To see national rate shifts, visit our military BAH trends tool, or explore financing options in the New Hampshire VA loan guide.
Check how far your BAH goes in New Hampshire
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What Is BAH and Who Qualifies?
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a monthly, tax-exempt benefit for active-duty military members who live off base. In New Hampshire, this includes personnel assigned near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (just across the Maine border), Pease ANGB in Portsmouth, and various ROTC, Guard, and reserve roles in southern New Hampshire.
How Your BAH Is Calculated
- ZIP Code: Local rental markets — such as 03801 (Portsmouth), 03103 (Manchester), and 03301 (Concord) — are evaluated annually to set rate levels.
- Pay Grade: BAH amounts increase with your rank, reflecting expected housing needs.
- Dependent Status: Members with dependents qualify for higher BAH than single counterparts.
How to Use the BAH Rate Chart
- Find your assigned ZIP or nearest base
- Select your military pay grade (E-4, O-3, etc.)
- Compare monthly rates for “with dependents” vs. “without”
How to Turn BAH Into a Mortgage in New Hampshire
Instead of paying rent each month, many military families in New Hampshire use their housing allowance to build equity with a VA loan. In areas like Dover, Concord, and Laconia, home prices remain reasonable — and your BAH may be enough to cover the entire mortgage, especially with $0 down required for VA borrowers.
Why the VA loan works well in New Hampshire:
- No down payment required for eligible buyers
- No monthly mortgage insurance (PMI)
- Flexible credit score options and manual underwriting
- VA interest rates often lower than traditional loans
From Portsmouth to rural central ZIPs, using BAH to buy a home may be a smarter financial choice than renting.
New Hampshire Rental Market & 2025 BAH Impact
New Hampshire’s rental prices vary by region — with the Seacoast region and southern cities like Nashua seeing the highest rates. BAH in 2025 was adjusted to keep pace, with ZIPs around Portsmouth, Dover, and Manchester experiencing notable increases. In most areas, BAH is enough to fully cover average rent for service members living off base, especially in smaller towns or shared housing.
View New Hampshire BAH Rate FAQs
Portsmouth, NH/Kittery, ME BAH Rates (2025)
Military Housing Area (MHA): NH194
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,952 | $2,286 |
| E02 | $2,952 | $2,286 |
| E03 | $2,952 | $2,286 |
| E04 | $2,952 | $2,286 |
| E05 | $3,168 | $2,574 |
| E06 | $3,549 | $2,757 |
| E07 | $3,813 | $2,961 |
| E08 | $4,095 | $3,249 |
| E09 | $4,431 | $3,357 |
| W01 | $3,573 | $2,886 |
| W02 | $3,930 | $3,246 |
| W03 | $4,278 | $3,372 |
| W04 | $4,494 | $3,609 |
| W05 | $4,752 | $3,876 |
| O01E | $3,864 | $3,165 |
| O02E | $4,227 | $3,333 |
| O03E | $4,530 | $3,543 |
| O01 | $3,222 | $2,733 |
| O02 | $3,546 | $3,099 |
| O03 | $4,266 | $3,411 |
| O04 | $4,842 | $3,831 |
| O05 | $5,247 | $3,993 |
| O06 | $5,295 | $4,260 |
| O07 | $5,343 | $4,338 |
Included ZIP Codes: 03801, 03802, 03803, 03804, 03805, 03820, 03821, 03823, 03824, 03825, 03833, 03840, 03842, 03843, 03844, 03854, 03857, 03862, 03869, 03870, 03871, 03873, 03874, 03878, 03901, 03902, 03903, 03904, 03905, 03906, 03907, 03908, 03909, 03910, 03911
Manchester/Concord, NH BAH Rates (2025)
Military Housing Area (MHA): NH195
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,802 | $2,127 |
| E02 | $2,802 | $2,127 |
| E03 | $2,802 | $2,127 |
| E04 | $2,802 | $2,127 |
| E05 | $2,976 | $2,448 |
| E06 | $3,342 | $2,640 |
| E07 | $3,582 | $2,805 |
| E08 | $3,840 | $3,054 |
| E09 | $4,080 | $3,156 |
| W01 | $3,366 | $2,751 |
| W02 | $3,687 | $3,051 |
| W03 | $4,005 | $3,171 |
| W04 | $4,107 | $3,396 |
| W05 | $4,233 | $3,639 |
| O01E | $3,627 | $2,973 |
| O02E | $3,960 | $3,132 |
| O03E | $4,125 | $3,333 |
| O01 | $3,024 | $2,622 |
| O02 | $3,339 | $2,922 |
| O03 | $3,996 | $3,207 |
| O04 | $4,272 | $3,597 |
| O05 | $4,461 | $3,744 |
| O06 | $4,500 | $3,987 |
| O07 | $4,539 | $4,062 |
Included ZIP Codes: 03031, 03032, 03033, 03034, 03036, 03037, 03038, 03041, 03042, 03043, 03044, 03045, 03046, 03047, 03048, 03049, 03051, 03052, 03053, 03054, 03055, 03057, 03060, 03061, 03062, 03063, 03064, 03070, 03071, 03073, 03076, 03077, 03079, 03082, 03084, 03086, 03087, 03101, 03102, 03103, 03104, 03105, 03106, 03108, 03109, 03110, 03111, 03218, 03224, 03229, 03231, 03234, 03237, 03242, 03244, 03249, 03251, 03255, 03257, 03258, 03260, 03261, 03263, 03264, 03268, 03269, 03272, 03275, 03276, 03278, 03280, 03281, 03287, 03301, 03302, 03303, 03304, 03305, 03307
2025 BAH FAQs for New Hampshire
How much did BAH increase in New Hampshire for 2025?
On average, BAH rose by 4.6% across the state, with steeper hikes near Portsmouth and Manchester.
What part of New Hampshire has the highest BAH?
Coastal ZIP codes around Portsmouth, along with some areas near the Massachusetts border (Nashua, Salem), tend to have the highest allowances.
What is the BAH for an E-5 with dependents at Pease ANGB?
An E-5 with dependents assigned to Pease ANGB (03801) receives approximately $2,382/month in 2025.
Is BAH typically enough to cover rent in New Hampshire?
Yes. In many ZIP codes, BAH will cover full rent and basic utilities, especially in towns outside the Seacoast corridor.
Do I pay taxes on BAH?
No. BAH is a tax-free military benefit and is not included in income reporting for state or federal taxes.
Can I use BAH to qualify for a mortgage?
Yes. VA lenders accept BAH as recurring income when you apply for a home loan.
What ZIP code is used for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
Although the shipyard is in Kittery, Maine, service members living in Portsmouth often use ZIP 03801 for BAH purposes.
When do BAH rates change?
New rates go into effect each January, following the DoD’s annual housing market review.
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