Rates and VA Loan Buying Power
2026 New Mexico BAH Rates and VA Loan Buying Power
DoD BAH lookup
DFAS pay and entitlements
VA home loan overview
CFPB Loan Estimate guide
New Mexico BAH can directly affect VA loan buying power because BAH is tax free and many lenders count it when it is verified on your LES. Before you dive into the tables, make sure the lender is using the right New Mexico housing area, the right dependency status, and a payment target that fits the full file.
Next step:
Check VA Loan Eligibility Using Your BAH and LES
New Mexico BAH Snapshot
Santa Fe and Los Alamos runs highest in your sample set at $2,964 for an E-5 with dependents, while Cannon AFB and Clovis is lower at $1,365. Kirtland AFB, White Sands, and Holloman sit in different bands, so buying power can shift by zip, rank, and dependency status.
How Lenders Count BAH
Many VA lenders count BAH as qualifying income when it appears on your LES. Because it is tax free, some lenders also gross it up. That can help DTI, but residual income and the full monthly payment still decide what is actually workable.
PCS and Rate Protection
With valid PCS orders, lenders can often use gaining station BAH when you are moving into New Mexico. Separate from that, individual rate protection can preserve a higher allowance while you stay at the same duty station with the same rank and dependency status.
LES and Documents
Expect underwriters to review two to three LES statements, plus PCS orders when you are buying before a move. Those documents help verify continuity, current entitlements, and whether the lender used the correct New Mexico housing assumptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use New Mexico BAH to qualify for a VA loan?
Can PCS orders change which New Mexico BAH a lender uses?
Why does the New Mexico BAH table not match my loan estimate exactly?
How to Use New Mexico BAH Rates for a VA Loan
- Pick the right table: Start with the New Mexico market that matches your duty station or likely purchase area, then match your rank and dependency status before estimating any payment.
- Turn BAH into PITI target plus cushion: Use BAH as the first pass for principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, then leave room for utilities, HOA dues, repairs, and ordinary monthly variance.
- Verify lender treatment using LES and gross up: Ask how the lender is counting tax free BAH from your LES, whether it is grossed up, and how that changes your real qualifying range.
- Use same assumptions when shopping lenders: Keep purchase price, taxes, insurance, credit band, and occupancy plan the same so you can judge lender treatment instead of comparing mismatched scenarios.
Convert Your BAH to VA Buying Power
Enter your BAH and key financials. We’ll estimate a comfortable VA home price and the resulting monthly payment.
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New Mexico Rental Market & 2026 BAH Impact
New Mexico’s rental market remains relatively affordable compared to neighboring states. BAH generally covers full rent in areas near Cannon and Holloman AFB, while in Albuquerque (Kirtland AFB), service members may pay a bit more out of pocket depending on housing type. In 2026, increases were made to reflect localized rent growth, especially in Bernalillo and Curry counties.
Holloman AFB/Alamogordo BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,290 | $975 |
| E02 | $1,290 | $975 |
| E03 | $1,290 | $975 |
| E04 | $1,290 | $975 |
| E05 | $1,458 | $1,095 |
| E06 | $1,647 | $1,233 |
| E07 | $1,695 | $1,296 |
| E08 | $1,749 | $1,500 |
| E09 | $1,848 | $1,545 |
| W01 | $1,665 | $1,248 |
| W02 | $1,719 | $1,497 |
| W03 | $1,788 | $1,554 |
| W04 | $1,875 | $1,650 |
| W05 | $1,986 | $1,707 |
| O01E | $1,701 | $1,455 |
| O02E | $1,776 | $1,536 |
| O03E | $1,890 | $1,638 |
| O01 | $1,488 | $1,119 |
| O02 | $1,644 | $1,407 |
| O03 | $1,785 | $1,575 |
| O04 | $2,019 | $1,689 |
| O05 | $2,187 | $1,716 |
| O06 | $2,205 | $1,767 |
| O07 | $2,217 | $1,797 |
BAH for HOLLOMAN AFB/ALAMOGORDO, NM includes the following zip codes: 88310, 88311, 88314, 88317, 88325, 88330, 88337, 88339, 88340, 88342, 88344, 88347, 88349, 88350, 88352, 88354.
Albuquerque/Kirtland AFB BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,971 | $1,479 |
| E02 | $1,971 | $1,479 |
| E03 | $1,971 | $1,479 |
| E04 | $1,971 | $1,479 |
| E05 | $2,175 | $1,647 |
| E06 | $2,238 | $1,785 |
| E07 | $2,262 | $1,977 |
| E08 | $2,289 | $2,196 |
| E09 | $2,382 | $2,202 |
| W01 | $2,253 | $1,911 |
| W02 | $2,274 | $2,193 |
| W03 | $2,313 | $2,205 |
| W04 | $2,412 | $2,232 |
| W05 | $2,538 | $2,265 |
| O01E | $2,265 | $2,172 |
| O02E | $2,304 | $2,199 |
| O03E | $2,430 | $2,226 |
| O01 | $2,193 | $1,764 |
| O02 | $2,235 | $2,112 |
| O03 | $2,310 | $2,211 |
| O04 | $2,580 | $2,253 |
| O05 | $2,772 | $2,268 |
| O06 | $2,796 | $2,289 |
| O07 | $2,817 | $2,331 |
BAH for ALBUQUERQUE/KIRTLAND AFB, NM includes the following zip codes: 87001, 87002, 87004, 87006, 87008, 87013, 87018, 87022, 87023, 87024, 87025, 87026, 87027, 87031, 87041, 87042, 87043, 87044, 87046, 87047, 87048, 87052, 87053, 87059, 87060, 87068, 87072, 87083, 87101, 87102, 87103, 87104, 87105, 87106, 87107, 87108, 87109, 87110, 87111, 87112, 87113, 87114, 87115, 87116, 87117, 87119, 87120, 87121, 87122, 87123, 87124, 87125, 87131, 87144, 87151, 87153, 87154, 87158, 87174, 87176, 87181, 87184, 87185, 87187, 87190, 87191, 87192, 87193, 87194, 87195, 87196, 87197, 87198, 87199.
Cannon AFB/Clovis BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,203 | $903 |
| E02 | $1,203 | $903 |
| E03 | $1,203 | $903 |
| E04 | $1,203 | $903 |
| E05 | $1,305 | $1,020 |
| E06 | $1,539 | $1,149 |
| E07 | $1,623 | $1,218 |
| E08 | $1,716 | $1,359 |
| E09 | $1,791 | $1,416 |
| W01 | $1,554 | $1,179 |
| W02 | $1,662 | $1,356 |
| W03 | $1,776 | $1,428 |
| W04 | $1,797 | $1,551 |
| W05 | $1,830 | $1,644 |
| O01E | $1,635 | $1,302 |
| O02E | $1,761 | $1,404 |
| O03E | $1,800 | $1,527 |
| O01 | $1,341 | $1,095 |
| O02 | $1,536 | $1,275 |
| O03 | $1,773 | $1,452 |
| O04 | $1,833 | $1,623 |
| O05 | $1,869 | $1,671 |
| O06 | $1,884 | $1,758 |
| O07 | $1,896 | $1,788 |
BAH for CANNON AFB/CLOVIS, NM includes the following zip codes: 88101, 88102, 88103, 88112, 88113, 88115, 88116, 88118, 88120, 88122, 88123, 88124, 88125, 88126, 88130, 88132, 88133, 88135.
White Sands MR/Las Cruces BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,533 | $1,149 |
| E02 | $1,533 | $1,149 |
| E03 | $1,533 | $1,149 |
| E04 | $1,533 | $1,149 |
| E05 | $1,752 | $1,314 |
| E06 | $1,938 | $1,452 |
| E07 | $1,980 | $1,542 |
| E08 | $2,025 | $1,794 |
| E09 | $2,100 | $1,839 |
| W01 | $1,956 | $1,467 |
| W02 | $1,998 | $1,791 |
| W03 | $2,058 | $1,848 |
| W04 | $2,121 | $1,941 |
| W05 | $2,202 | $1,989 |
| O01E | $1,983 | $1,749 |
| O02E | $2,049 | $1,827 |
| O03E | $2,130 | $1,929 |
| O01 | $1,782 | $1,338 |
| O02 | $1,935 | $1,683 |
| O03 | $2,055 | $1,866 |
| O04 | $2,223 | $1,974 |
| O05 | $2,340 | $1,995 |
| O06 | $2,358 | $2,037 |
| O07 | $2,376 | $2,073 |
BAH for WHITE SANDS MR/LAS CRUCES, NM includes the following zip codes: 87936, 87937, 87940, 87941, 88001, 88002, 88003, 88004, 88005, 88006, 88007, 88008, 88011, 88012, 88013, 88021, 88024, 88027, 88032, 88033, 88044, 88046, 88047, 88048, 88052, 88054, 88058, 88063, 88072, 88081.
Santa Fe/Los Alamos BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,448 | $1,836 |
| E02 | $2,448 | $1,836 |
| E03 | $2,448 | $1,836 |
| E04 | $2,448 | $1,836 |
| E05 | $2,748 | $2,061 |
| E06 | $3,396 | $2,547 |
| E07 | $3,426 | $2,571 |
| E08 | $3,456 | $2,877 |
| E09 | $3,531 | $3,072 |
| W01 | $3,417 | $2,562 |
| W02 | $3,438 | $2,874 |
| W03 | $3,480 | $3,093 |
| W04 | $3,555 | $3,399 |
| W05 | $3,651 | $3,432 |
| O01E | $3,429 | $2,745 |
| O02E | $3,471 | $3,027 |
| O03E | $3,567 | $3,390 |
| O01 | $2,829 | $2,148 |
| O02 | $3,387 | $2,649 |
| O03 | $3,477 | $3,159 |
| O04 | $3,681 | $3,417 |
| O05 | $3,825 | $3,435 |
| O06 | $3,861 | $3,459 |
| O07 | $3,891 | $3,522 |
BAH for SANTA FE/LOS ALAMOS, NM includes the following zip codes: 87010, 87015, 87056, 87501, 87502, 87503, 87504, 87505, 87506, 87507, 87508, 87509, 87535, 87540, 87544, 87545, 87547, 87567, 87574, 87592, 87594.
