2026 BAH Rates in North Dakota – Military Housing by ZIP Code
North Dakota’s 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates are now in effect. These monthly, tax-free payments help military personnel afford off-base housing and vary by location, rank, and dependent status. Whether you’re stationed at Minot AFB, Grand Forks AFB, or working in Fargo, Bismarck, or Williston, your ZIP-based housing allowance is listed below.
BAH increases in 2026 were modest across the state, with slight adjustments in Minot and Grand Forks to reflect recent rental market changes. You can compare national shifts on our BAH update page or explore local home loan opportunities in the North Dakota VA loan guide.
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Explore More BAH Insights
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2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Rates by City
Official 2026 tables by city and MHA -
How BAH Affects VA Loan Buying Power
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Military Housing Allowance (MHA) vs. BAH
Terminology and usage across DoD and lenders -
How Dual Military Couples Combine BAH for a VA Loan
Categories, documentation, and joint approvals -
Using BAH After Active Duty for a VA Loan
Eligibility paths, timing, documentation after separation -
Top 10 Military Cities with the Highest BAH
Markets with strong allowances and typical housing costs -
BAH Reserve and Transient Rates for 2026
Reserve component and partial month quick reference -
BAH vs PITI Mortgage Coverage
Define coverage and calculate safe payment buffers -
BAH VA Loan Buy or Rent PCS
Choose ownership or leasing around PCS timelines -
BAH Gross Up VA Loan Buying Power
How lenders adjust non taxable income and DTI impact
What Is BAH and How Does It Apply in North Dakota?
BAH is a monthly, non-taxable housing allowance provided to military members living off base. In North Dakota, this includes personnel assigned to Minot Air Force Base, Grand Forks AFB, and recruiters in cities like Fargo, Bismarck, and Dickinson.
How Are BAH Rates Determined?
- Location: ZIP codes like 58705 (Minot AFB) and 58205 (Grand Forks AFB) are assessed annually based on local rental costs.
- Rank: BAH is tiered by pay grade — higher ranks receive larger allowances.
- Dependents: Service members with dependents receive a higher BAH to account for family housing needs.
How to Read the 2026 BAH Charts
- Find your ZIP code or duty location
- Select your military pay grade (E-5, O-2, etc.)
- Compare rates for with vs. without dependents
How to Use Your BAH to Buy a Home in North Dakota
Rather than renting, many service members in North Dakota use their BAH toward a VA-backed home loan. In cities like Minot, Grand Forks, and Fargo, home prices are reasonable enough that BAH may cover your entire mortgage — especially with $0 down through the VA loan program.
Why a VA Loan Works Well in North Dakota:
- No down payment required in most cases
- No monthly mortgage insurance (PMI)
- Flexible credit standards and manual underwriting
- Competitive interest rates for qualified buyers
With steady home prices and minimal competition, using BAH to buy in North Dakota is a strong long-term play for military families.
North Dakota Housing Costs & BAH Impact
North Dakota’s rental market remains highly affordable compared to most states. In Minot, Grand Forks, and Bismarck, BAH often fully covers rent and basic utilities. In 2026, adjustments were minor, reflecting overall stability in the state’s rental prices. This makes North Dakota one of the most favorable locations for military members looking to stretch their BAH effectively.
BAH for BISMARCK, ND includes the following zip codes: 58477, 58494, 58501, 58502, 58503, 58504, 58505, 58506, 58507, 58520, 58521, 58532, 58535, 58554, 58558, 58560, 58563, 58566, 58572, 58631, 58638. BAH for FARGO, ND includes the following zip codes: 56514, 56525, 56529, 56536, 56546, 56547, 56549, 56552, 56560, 56561, 56562, 56563, 56580, 56585, 58002, 58004, 58005, 58006, 58007, 58011, 58012, 58021, 58029, 58036, 58038, 58042, 58047, 58048, 58051, 58052, 58059, 58064, 58071, 58078, 58079, 58102, 58103, 58104, 58105, 58106, 58107, 58108, 58109, 58121, 58122, 58124, 58125, 58126. BAH for GRAND FORKS, ND includes the following zip codes: 58201, 58202, 58203, 58204, 58205, 58206, 58207, 58208, 58214, 58228, 58235, 58244, 58251, 58256, 58258, 58266, 58267, 58275, 58278. BAH for MINOT AFB, ND includes the following zip codes: 58701, 58702, 58703, 58704, 58705, 58707, 58718, 58722, 58725, 58733, 58734, 58735, 58740, 58746, 58756, 58761, 58779, 58781, 58782, 58785, 58787.Bismarck, ND BAH Rates
Grade
With Dependents
Without Dependents
E01
$1,500
$1,125
E02
$1,500
$1,125
E03
$1,500
$1,125
E04
$1,500
$1,125
E05
$1,596
$1,287
E06
$2,202
$1,653
E07
$2,262
$1,698
E08
$2,328
$1,746
E09
$2,376
$1,899
W01
$2,223
$1,668
W02
$2,289
$1,716
W03
$2,373
$1,923
W04
$2,379
$2,211
W05
$2,385
$2,277
O01E
$2,271
$1,704
O02E
$2,358
$1,860
O03E
$2,382
$2,196
O01
$1,674
$1,398
O02
$2,196
$1,701
O03
$2,370
$1,980
O04
$2,388
$2,259
O05
$2,391
$2,292
O06
$2,397
$2,349
O07
$2,409
$2,388
Fargo, ND BAH Rates
Grade
With Dependents
Without Dependents
E01
$1,521
$1,206
E02
$1,521
$1,206
E03
$1,521
$1,206
E04
$1,521
$1,206
E05
$1,707
$1,281
E06
$2,337
$1,752
E07
$2,400
$1,800
E08
$2,466
$1,851
E09
$2,574
$2,022
W01
$2,358
$1,770
W02
$2,427
$1,833
W03
$2,514
$2,046
W04
$2,598
$2,346
W05
$2,706
$2,415
O01E
$2,409
$1,806
O02E
$2,499
$1,980
O03E
$2,613
$2,331
O01
$1,785
$1,338
O02
$2,328
$1,803
O03
$2,511
$2,106
O04
$2,739
$2,397
O05
$2,904
$2,430
O06
$2,925
$2,490
O07
$2,946
$2,532
Grand Forks, ND BAH Rates
Grade
With Dependents
Without Dependents
E01
$1,518
$1,233
E02
$1,518
$1,233
E03
$1,518
$1,233
E04
$1,518
$1,233
E05
$1,731
$1,299
E06
$2,004
$1,500
E07
$2,073
$1,554
E08
$2,151
$1,791
E09
$2,277
$1,863
W01
$2,022
$1,518
W02
$2,106
$1,788
W03
$2,202
$1,875
W04
$2,307
$2,013
W05
$2,439
$2,091
O01E
$2,085
$1,728
O02E
$2,184
$1,848
O03E
$2,325
$1,995
O01
$1,770
$1,329
O02
$2,001
$1,662
O03
$2,199
$1,902
O04
$2,478
$2,070
O05
$2,682
$2,109
O06
$2,703
$2,178
O07
$2,718
$2,214
Minot AFB, ND BAH Rates
Grade
With Dependents
Without Dependents
E01
$1,428
$1,206
E02
$1,428
$1,206
E03
$1,428
$1,206
E04
$1,428
$1,206
E05
$1,548
$1,260
E06
$1,980
$1,485
E07
$2,052
$1,539
E08
$2,127
$1,638
E09
$2,229
$1,764
W01
$2,001
$1,503
W02
$2,082
$1,635
W03
$2,178
$1,782
W04
$2,247
$1,995
W05
$2,343
$2,067
O01E
$2,064
$1,548
O02E
$2,163
$1,737
O03E
$2,262
$1,974
O01
$1,605
$1,302
O02
$1,977
$1,542
O03
$2,175
$1,824
O04
$2,367
$2,049
O05
$2,508
$2,088
O06
$2,526
$2,154
O07
$2,541
$2,190






