2026 BAH Rates in New Hampshire – Military Housing by ZIP Code
The 2026 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 2026 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.
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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 & 2026 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 2026 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.
Portsmouth, NH/Kittery, ME BAH Rates (2026)
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 (2026)
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
