Rates and VA Loan Buying Power
2026 Virginia BAH Rates and VA Loan Buying Power
DoD BAH Lookup
DFAS Pay and Entitlements
VA Home Loan Overview
CFPB Loan Estimate Guide
Virginia BAH rates can materially affect VA loan buying power because BAH is tax free and many lenders count it when it is verified on your LES. Before you dig into the tables, make sure the lender is using the right Virginia market, the right dependency status, and a payment target that fits your full file.
Next step:
Check VA Loan Eligibility Using Your BAH and LES
Virginia BAH Snapshot
Virginia is not one market. Northern Virginia and Quantico run above places like Roanoke and Lexington, while Norfolk, Hampton, and Richmond sit in different middle bands. Buying power can shift quickly by zip code, 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 improve DTI, but residual income and the full monthly housing payment still decide what is workable.
PCS and Rate Protection
With valid PCS orders, lenders can often use gaining station BAH when you are moving into Virginia. 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 Virginia housing assumptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Virginia BAH to qualify for a VA loan?
Can PCS orders change which Virginia BAH a lender uses?
Why does the Virginia BAH table not match my loan estimate exactly?
How to Use Virginia BAH Rates for a VA Loan
- Pick the right table: Start with the Virginia 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.
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
How allowance converts to qualifying income and price -
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
Understanding the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a crucial financial resource for U.S. military personnel, aimed at assisting with housing expenses while stationed away from their primary residence. In Virginia, the BAH is calculated based on rank, duty location, and dependency status to align with the local housing market costs.
The Department of Defense revises BAH rates annually to adapt to fluctuations in housing costs, aiding service members in achieving financial stability. This resource outlines the latest BAH rates for Virginia, enabling you to identify the right allowance for your rank and family circumstances.
How BAH Rates are Determined
BAH rates in Virginia are influenced by several important factors:
- Location: Reflects the varied housing costs across different Military Housing Areas (MHA) in Virginia.
- Rank: Higher ranks receive increased allowances, reflecting their expanded responsibilities and housing requirements.
- Dependents: Service members with families qualify for higher BAH rates to ensure proper family accommodation.
The goal of BAH is to provide financial aid that enables military members to secure suitable and affordable housing, promoting stability and comfort during their service period in Virginia.
Using the BAH Charts
To determine your monthly BAH in Virginia, follow these steps:
- Identify your Military Housing Area (MHA) in Virginia.
- Find your pay grade (rank) in the charts provided.
- Check if you have dependents.
These steps will help you ascertain the exact housing allowance, facilitating effective financial management while stationed in Virginia.
BAH Rate Charts for Virginia in 2026
For 2026, the BAH rates in Virginia have been updated to reflect a national average increase of about 5.4%. This adjustment ensures that BAH rates are in step with local housing market trends, providing essential support for military personnel in finding off-base housing.
Charlottesville, VA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,112 | $1,716 |
| E02 | $2,112 | $1,716 |
| E03 | $2,112 | $1,716 |
| E04 | $2,112 | $1,716 |
| E05 | $2,214 | $1,899 |
| E06 | $2,589 | $2,013 |
| E07 | $2,712 | $2,112 |
| E08 | $2,844 | $2,292 |
| E09 | $3,000 | $2,397 |
| W01 | $2,610 | $2,088 |
| W02 | $2,766 | $2,289 |
| W03 | $2,928 | $2,412 |
| W04 | $3,027 | $2,613 |
| W05 | $3,150 | $2,742 |
| O01E | $2,733 | $2,211 |
| O02E | $2,907 | $2,373 |
| O03E | $3,045 | $2,580 |
| O01 | $2,265 | $2,007 |
| O02 | $2,586 | $2,184 |
| O03 | $2,925 | $2,451 |
| O04 | $3,189 | $2,715 |
| O05 | $3,372 | $2,787 |
| O06 | $3,402 | $2,910 |
| O07 | $3,429 | $2,964 |
Zip codes for Charlottesville, VA: 22901, 22902, 22903, 22904, 22905, 22906, 22907, 22908, 22909, 22910, 22911, 22924, 22931, 22932, 22936, 22937, 22940, 22943, 22945, 22946, 22947, 22959, 22987, 24590
Quantico/Woodbridge, VA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,769 | $2,196 |
| E02 | $2,769 | $2,196 |
| E03 | $2,769 | $2,196 |
| E04 | $2,769 | $2,196 |
| E05 | $2,985 | $2,421 |
| E06 | $3,180 | $2,571 |
| E07 | $3,249 | $2,775 |
| E08 | $3,327 | $3,030 |
| E09 | $3,492 | $3,075 |
| W01 | $3,195 | $2,703 |
| W02 | $3,282 | $3,027 |
| W03 | $3,378 | $3,084 |
| W04 | $3,537 | $3,189 |
| W05 | $3,729 | $3,267 |
| O01E | $3,258 | $2,982 |
| O02E | $3,366 | $3,063 |
| O03E | $3,564 | $3,168 |
| O01 | $3,015 | $2,550 |
| O02 | $3,177 | $2,916 |
| O03 | $3,375 | $3,105 |
| O04 | $3,795 | $3,246 |
| O05 | $4,092 | $3,288 |
| O06 | $4,131 | $3,360 |
| O07 | $4,164 | $3,420 |
Zip codes for Quantico/Woodbridge, VA: 20109, 20110, 20111, 20112, 20113, 20136, 20143, 20155, 20156, 20168, 20169, 20181, 20182, 22026, 22026, 22125, 22134, 22135, 22172, 22191, 22192, 22193, 22194, 22195, 22403, 22405, 22406, 22412, 22430, 22463, 22471, 22545, 22554, 22555, 22556
Hampton/Newport News, VA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,019 | $1,569 |
| E02 | $2,019 | $1,569 |
| E03 | $2,019 | $1,569 |
| E04 | $2,019 | $1,569 |
| E05 | $2,184 | $1,749 |
| E06 | $2,265 | $1,866 |
| E07 | $2,286 | $2,022 |
| E08 | $2,310 | $2,205 |
| E09 | $2,433 | $2,217 |
| W01 | $2,280 | $1,971 |
| W02 | $2,298 | $2,202 |
| W03 | $2,334 | $2,223 |
| W04 | $2,475 | $2,262 |
| W05 | $2,655 | $2,292 |
| O01E | $2,289 | $2,181 |
| O02E | $2,325 | $2,214 |
| O03E | $2,502 | $2,253 |
| O01 | $2,202 | $1,851 |
| O02 | $2,262 | $2,133 |
| O03 | $2,331 | $2,229 |
| O04 | $2,715 | $2,277 |
| O05 | $2,988 | $2,295 |
| O06 | $3,015 | $2,310 |
| O07 | $3,039 | $2,352 |
Zip codes for Hampton/Newport News, VA: 23001, 23003, 23018, 23021, 23025, 23035, 23045, 23050, 23056, 23061, 23062, 23064, 23066, 23068, 23072, 23076, 23081, 23090, 23107, 23109, 23119, 23125, 23127, 23128, 23130, 23131, 23138, 23154, 23155, 23163, 23168, 23178, 23183, 23184, 23185, 23186, 23187, 23188, 23190, 23601, 23602, 23603, 23604, 23605, 23606, 23607, 23608, 23609, 23612, 23628, 23630, 23651, 23661, 23662, 23663, 23664, 23665, 23666, 23667, 23668, 23669, 23670, 23681, 23690, 23691, 23692, 23693, 23694, 23696
Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,154 | $1,674 |
| E02 | $2,154 | $1,674 |
| E03 | $2,154 | $1,674 |
| E04 | $2,154 | $1,674 |
| E05 | $2,325 | $1,869 |
| E06 | $2,469 | $1,995 |
| E07 | $2,505 | $2,157 |
| E08 | $2,544 | $2,361 |
| E09 | $2,673 | $2,391 |
| W01 | $2,484 | $2,103 |
| W02 | $2,523 | $2,358 |
| W03 | $2,577 | $2,397 |
| W04 | $2,712 | $2,469 |
| W05 | $2,877 | $2,514 |
| O01E | $2,508 | $2,322 |
| O02E | $2,568 | $2,382 |
| O03E | $2,733 | $2,457 |
| O01 | $2,352 | $1,977 |
| O02 | $2,466 | $2,271 |
| O03 | $2,574 | $2,412 |
| O04 | $2,934 | $2,499 |
| O05 | $3,192 | $2,517 |
| O06 | $3,219 | $2,556 |
| O07 | $3,246 | $2,601 |
Zip codes for Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA: 23320, 23321, 23322, 23323, 23324, 23325, 23326, 23327, 23328, 23432, 23433, 23434, 23435, 23436, 23437, 23438, 23439, 23450, 23451, 23452, 23453, 23454, 23455, 23456, 23457, 23458, 23459, 23460, 23461, 23462, 23463, 23464, 23465, 23466, 23467, 23471, 23479, 23501, 23502, 23503, 23504, 23505, 23506, 23507, 23508, 23509, 23510, 23511, 23513, 23514, 23515, 23517, 23518, 23519, 23523, 23529, 23541, 23551, 23701, 23702, 23703, 23704, 23705, 23707, 23708, 23709, 23851
Richmond/Fort Gregg-Adams, VA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,112 | $1,701 |
| E02 | $2,112 | $1,701 |
| E03 | $2,112 | $1,701 |
| E04 | $2,112 | $1,701 |
| E05 | $2,268 | $1,860 |
| E06 | $2,541 | $1,968 |
| E07 | $2,592 | $2,115 |
| E08 | $2,643 | $2,328 |
| E09 | $2,757 | $2,400 |
| W01 | $2,559 | $2,067 |
| W02 | $2,613 | $2,325 |
| W03 | $2,682 | $2,412 |
| W04 | $2,790 | $2,547 |
| W05 | $2,922 | $2,604 |
| O01E | $2,595 | $2,265 |
| O02E | $2,673 | $2,382 |
| O03E | $2,808 | $2,532 |
| O01 | $2,307 | $1,953 |
| O02 | $2,538 | $2,220 |
| O03 | $2,679 | $2,439 |
| O04 | $2,964 | $2,586 |
| O05 | $3,168 | $2,613 |
| O06 | $3,195 | $2,661 |
| O07 | $3,219 | $2,709 |
Zip codes for Richmond/Fort Gregg-Adams, VA: 23058, 23059, 23060, 23075, 23112, 23113, 23114, 23120, 23150, 23173, 23218, 23219, 23220, 23221, 23222, 23223, 23224, 23225, 23226, 23227, 23228, 23229, 23230, 23231, 23232, 23233, 23234, 23235, 23236, 23237, 23238, 23241, 23242, 23249, 23250, 23255, 23260, 23261, 23269, 23273, 23274, 23276, 23278, 23279, 23282, 23284, 23285, 23286, 23288, 23289, 23290, 23291, 23292, 23293, 23294, 23295, 23297, 23298, 23801, 23803, 23804, 23805, 23806, 23831, 23832, 23834, 23836, 23838, 23842, 23860, 23875
Warrenton, VA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,763 | $2,160 |
| E02 | $2,763 | $2,160 |
| E03 | $2,763 | $2,160 |
| E04 | $2,763 | $2,160 |
| E05 | $2,952 | $2,424 |
| E06 | $3,186 | $2,589 |
| E07 | $3,285 | $2,769 |
| E08 | $3,390 | $3,003 |
| E09 | $3,603 | $3,063 |
| W01 | $3,204 | $2,706 |
| W02 | $3,330 | $3,000 |
| W03 | $3,462 | $3,072 |
| W04 | $3,657 | $3,201 |
| W05 | $3,894 | $3,309 |
| O01E | $3,300 | $2,949 |
| O02E | $3,444 | $3,048 |
| O03E | $3,693 | $3,177 |
| O01 | $2,988 | $2,571 |
| O02 | $3,183 | $2,892 |
| O03 | $3,459 | $3,099 |
| O04 | $3,978 | $3,285 |
| O05 | $4,347 | $3,342 |
| O06 | $4,386 | $3,444 |
| O07 | $4,425 | $3,507 |
Zip codes for Warrenton, VA: 20101, 20102, 20103, 20104, 20105, 20108, 20115, 20116, 20117, 20118, 20119, 20128, 20129, 20131, 20132, 20134, 20137, 20138, 20139, 20140, 20141, 20142, 20144, 20146, 20147, 20148, 20149, 20152, 20158, 20159, 20160, 20163, 20164, 20165, 20166, 20167, 20175, 20176, 20177, 20178, 20180, 20184, 20185, 20186, 20187, 20188, 20189, 20197, 20198, 22639, 22643, 22712, 22720, 22728, 22734, 22739, 22742
Lexington, VA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,359 | $1,125 |
| E02 | $1,359 | $1,125 |
| E03 | $1,359 | $1,125 |
| E04 | $1,359 | $1,125 |
| E05 | $1,446 | $1,212 |
| E06 | $1,884 | $1,413 |
| E07 | $1,932 | $1,449 |
| E08 | $1,980 | $1,539 |
| E09 | $2,085 | $1,665 |
| W01 | $1,905 | $1,428 |
| W02 | $1,953 | $1,536 |
| W03 | $2,016 | $1,680 |
| W04 | $2,112 | $1,890 |
| W05 | $2,235 | $1,944 |
| O01E | $1,935 | $1,455 |
| O02E | $2,007 | $1,635 |
| O03E | $2,130 | $1,878 |
| O01 | $1,506 | $1,269 |
| O02 | $1,881 | $1,452 |
| O03 | $2,013 | $1,725 |
| O04 | $2,274 | $1,926 |
| O05 | $2,457 | $1,950 |
| O06 | $2,475 | $1,995 |
| O07 | $2,493 | $2,031 |
Zip codes for Lexington, VA: 24415, 24416, 24435, 24439, 24450, 24472, 24473, 24483, 24501, 24502, 24503, 24504, 24505, 24506, 24513, 24514, 24515, 24517, 24521, 24528, 24533, 24538, 24550, 24554, 24555, 24569, 24571, 24572, 24574, 24576, 24578, 24579, 24588, 24595
Roanoke, VA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,680 | $1,260 |
| E02 | $1,680 | $1,260 |
| E03 | $1,680 | $1,260 |
| E04 | $1,680 | $1,260 |
| E05 | $1,842 | $1,416 |
| E06 | $1,992 | $1,527 |
| E07 | $2,070 | $1,683 |
| E08 | $2,157 | $1,878 |
| E09 | $2,286 | $1,911 |
| W01 | $2,007 | $1,632 |
| W02 | $2,106 | $1,875 |
| W03 | $2,217 | $1,917 |
| W04 | $2,313 | $2,001 |
| W05 | $2,430 | $2,091 |
| O01E | $2,082 | $1,839 |
| O02E | $2,202 | $1,902 |
| O03E | $2,328 | $1,980 |
| O01 | $1,869 | $1,512 |
| O02 | $1,989 | $1,791 |
| O03 | $2,214 | $1,932 |
| O04 | $2,469 | $2,067 |
| O05 | $2,646 | $2,115 |
| O06 | $2,670 | $2,199 |
| O07 | $2,688 | $2,235 |
Zip codes for Roanoke, VA: 24001, 24002, 24003, 24004, 24005, 24006, 24007, 24008, 24009, 24010, 24011, 24012, 24013, 24014, 24015, 24016, 24017, 24018, 24019, 24020, 24022, 24023, 24024, 24025, 24026, 24027, 24028, 24029, 24030, 24031, 24032, 24033, 24034, 24035, 24036, 24037, 24038, 24040, 24042, 24043, 24050, 24059, 24060, 24061, 24062, 24063, 24068, 24070, 24073, 24087, 24111, 24138, 24141, 24142, 24143, 24149, 24153, 24155, 24157, 24162, 24179
