2025 BAH Rates in Washington – Military Housing by ZIP Code
The 2025 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates in Washington State are now in effect. These monthly, tax-free payments support active-duty service members living off base. Whether you’re stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Naval Base Kitsap, NAS Whidbey Island, or working in Seattle or Spokane, your BAH is based on ZIP code, pay grade, and dependent status.
BAH increases in 2025 were most notable around Puget Sound, with higher rates near Tacoma, Bremerton, and Everett. To view national trends, visit our BAH rates dashboard, or explore VA home buying strategies in the Washington VA loan guide.
What Is BAH and How Does It Apply in Washington?
BAH is a monthly, tax-free housing allowance for military members living off base. In Washington, it supports service members at JBLM (Tacoma), Naval Base Kitsap (Bremerton), NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor), and recruiters stationed in cities like Seattle, Spokane, and Vancouver.
How Washington BAH Rates Are Determined
- ZIP Code: Areas like 98433 (JBLM), 98312 (Bremerton), and 98277 (Whidbey Island) are evaluated based on local rental market trends.
- Pay Grade: BAH increases with rank to match expected housing size and location.
- Dependents: Members with dependents receive a higher BAH to accommodate family housing needs.
Using the 2025 BAH Rate Chart
- Find your assigned ZIP or Military Housing Area
- Select your rank/pay grade (e.g., E-5, O-3)
- Compare monthly rates for with vs. without dependents
In this Article
Using Your BAH to Buy a Home in Washington
Instead of paying rent, many service members in Washington use their BAH to purchase a home with a VA loan. With strong VA loan programs across Kitsap, Pierce, and Thurston Counties, your BAH may be enough to fully cover a mortgage — even with no down payment required.
Top VA Loan Benefits in Washington:
- No down payment needed for most eligible buyers
- No PMI (private mortgage insurance)
- Manual underwriting options for flexible credit approvals
- Competitive VA interest rates
Using BAH to build equity in Washington is a smart option for military families, especially near JBLM, Whidbey Island, or Bremerton.
Washington Housing Costs & BAH Impact
Washington’s housing costs vary widely. Areas around Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett are among the highest in the nation, while towns near JBLM or Oak Harbor remain more affordable. In 2025, BAH increases were applied to account for higher rents in western Washington and the Puget Sound region. For most enlisted members, BAH is sufficient in suburban areas — but housing in metro ZIPs may exceed the allowance.
BREMERTON, WA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,253 | $1,866 |
| E02 | $2,253 | $1,866 |
| E03 | $2,253 | $1,866 |
| E04 | $2,253 | $1,866 |
| E05 | $2,358 | $2,043 |
| E06 | $2,661 | $2,151 |
| E07 | $2,790 | $2,253 |
| E08 | $2,925 | $2,424 |
| E09 | $3,069 | $2,505 |
| W01 | $2,682 | $2,229 |
| W02 | $2,847 | $2,421 |
| W03 | $3,015 | $2,517 |
| W04 | $3,093 | $2,685 |
| W05 | $3,189 | $2,820 |
| O01E | $2,811 | $2,355 |
| O02E | $2,991 | $2,487 |
| O03E | $3,105 | $2,652 |
| O01 | $2,400 | $2,145 |
| O02 | $2,658 | $2,328 |
| O03 | $3,012 | $2,550 |
| O04 | $3,219 | $2,793 |
| O05 | $3,360 | $2,868 |
| O06 | $3,390 | $2,997 |
| O07 | $3,417 | $3,051 |
BAH for BREMERTON, WA includes the following zip codes: 98061, 98110, 98310, 98311, 98312, 98314, 98315, 98322, 98337, 98340, 98342, 98345, 98346, 98353, 98359, 98364, 98366, 98367, 98370, 98378, 98380, 98383, 98384, 98386, 98392, 98393, 98524, 98528, 98546, 98548, 98555, 98560, 98584, 98588, 98592.
EVERETT, WA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,532 | $1,935 |
| E02 | $2,532 | $1,935 |
| E03 | $2,532 | $1,935 |
| E04 | $2,532 | $1,935 |
| E05 | $2,712 | $2,202 |
| E06 | $3,084 | $2,367 |
| E07 | $3,219 | $2,538 |
| E08 | $3,360 | $2,790 |
| E09 | $3,513 | $2,895 |
| W01 | $3,105 | $2,481 |
| W02 | $3,276 | $2,787 |
| W03 | $3,453 | $2,910 |
| W04 | $3,537 | $3,111 |
| W05 | $3,645 | $3,249 |
| O01E | $3,240 | $2,709 |
| O02E | $3,429 | $2,871 |
| O03E | $3,552 | $3,078 |
| O01 | $2,763 | $2,349 |
| O02 | $3,081 | $2,655 |
| O03 | $3,447 | $2,949 |
| O04 | $3,678 | $3,222 |
| O05 | $3,834 | $3,300 |
| O06 | $3,870 | $3,435 |
| O07 | $3,900 | $3,498 |
BAH for EVERETT, WA includes the following zip codes: 98012, 98020, 98026, 98036, 98037, 98043, 98046, 98082, 98087, 98201, 98203, 98204, 98206, 98207, 98208, 98213, 98223, 98241, 98251, 98252, 98256, 98258, 98259, 98270, 98271, 98272, 98275, 98287, 98290, 98291, 98292, 98293, 98294, 98296.
PORT ANGELES, WA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,022 | $1,518 |
| E02 | $2,022 | $1,518 |
| E03 | $2,022 | $1,518 |
| E04 | $2,022 | $1,518 |
| E05 | $2,289 | $1,716 |
| E06 | $2,820 | $2,115 |
| E07 | $2,856 | $2,142 |
| E08 | $2,889 | $2,397 |
| E09 | $2,955 | $2,553 |
| W01 | $2,841 | $2,130 |
| W02 | $2,871 | $2,394 |
| W03 | $2,919 | $2,574 |
| W04 | $2,973 | $2,823 |
| W05 | $3,048 | $2,862 |
| O01E | $2,859 | $2,286 |
| O02E | $2,910 | $2,517 |
| O03E | $2,982 | $2,814 |
| O01 | $2,358 | $1,770 |
| O02 | $2,814 | $2,202 |
| O03 | $2,916 | $2,628 |
| O04 | $3,066 | $2,847 |
| O05 | $3,171 | $2,865 |
| O06 | $3,201 | $2,898 |
| O07 | $3,225 | $2,949 |
BAH for PORT ANGELES, WA includes the following zip codes: 98305, 98324, 98326, 98331, 98343, 98350, 98357, 98362, 98363, 98381, 98382.
SEATTLE, WA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,904 | $2,235 |
| E02 | $2,904 | $2,235 |
| E03 | $2,904 | $2,235 |
| E04 | $2,904 | $2,235 |
| E05 | $3,051 | $2,574 |
| E06 | $3,795 | $2,847 |
| E07 | $3,891 | $2,919 |
| E08 | $3,987 | $3,201 |
| E09 | $4,140 | $3,426 |
| W01 | $3,816 | $2,865 |
| W02 | $3,930 | $3,198 |
| W03 | $4,050 | $3,450 |
| W04 | $4,176 | $3,813 |
| W05 | $4,332 | $3,912 |
| O01E | $3,903 | $3,048 |
| O02E | $4,035 | $3,375 |
| O03E | $4,200 | $3,789 |
| O01 | $3,141 | $2,757 |
| O02 | $3,786 | $3,006 |
| O03 | $4,047 | $3,525 |
| O04 | $4,383 | $3,888 |
| O05 | $4,620 | $3,942 |
| O06 | $4,662 | $4,032 |
| O07 | $4,701 | $4,107 |
BAH for SEATTLE, WA includes the following zip codes: 98001, 98002, 98003, 98004, 98005, 98006, 98007, 98008, 98009, 98010, 98011, 98013, 98014, 98015, 98019, 98021, 98022, 98023, 98024, 98025, 98027, 98028, 98029, 98030, 98031, 98032, 98033, 98034, 98035, 98038, 98039, 98040, 98041, 98042, 98045, 98047, 98050, 98051, 98052, 98053, 98055, 98056, 98057, 98058, 98059, 98062, 98063, 98064, 98065, 98070, 98071, 98072, 98073, 98074, 98075, 98077, 98083, 98089, 98092, 98093, 98101, 98102, 98103, 98104, 98105, 98106, 98107, 98108, 98109, 98111, 98112, 98113, 98114, 98115, 98116, 98117, 98118, 98119, 98121, 98122, 98124, 98125, 98126, 98127, 98129, 98131, 98133, 98134, 98136, 98138, 98139, 98141, 98144, 98145, 98146, 98148, 98154, 98155, 98158, 98160, 98161, 98164, 98165, 98166, 98168, 98170, 98174, 98175, 98177, 98178, 98181, 98185, 98188, 98190, 98191, 98194, 98195, 98198, 98199, 98224, 98288.
SPOKANE, WA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,923 | $1,524 |
| E02 | $1,923 | $1,524 |
| E03 | $1,923 | $1,524 |
| E04 | $1,923 | $1,524 |
| E05 | $2,160 | $1,623 |
| E06 | $2,661 | $1,995 |
| E07 | $2,703 | $2,028 |
| E08 | $2,745 | $2,262 |
| E09 | $2,838 | $2,409 |
| W01 | $2,682 | $2,013 |
| W02 | $2,721 | $2,259 |
| W03 | $2,778 | $2,427 |
| W04 | $2,862 | $2,667 |
| W05 | $2,970 | $2,712 |
| O01E | $2,706 | $2,157 |
| O02E | $2,769 | $2,376 |
| O03E | $2,877 | $2,655 |
| O01 | $2,226 | $1,686 |
| O02 | $2,658 | $2,085 |
| O03 | $2,775 | $2,478 |
| O04 | $3,003 | $2,697 |
| O05 | $3,162 | $2,718 |
| O06 | $3,189 | $2,757 |
| O07 | $3,216 | $2,808 |
BAH for SPOKANE, WA includes the following zip codes: 99001, 99003, 99004, 99005, 99006, 99009, 99011, 99012, 99014, 99016, 99018, 99019, 99020, 99021, 99022, 99023, 99025, 99026, 99027, 99030, 99031, 99036, 99037, 99039, 99201, 99202, 99203, 99204, 99205, 99206, 99207, 99208, 99209, 99210, 99211, 99212, 99213, 99214, 99215, 99216, 99217, 99218, 99219, 99220, 99223, 99224, 99228, 99251, 99252, 99256, 99258, 99260.
TACOMA, WA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,328 | $1,785 |
| E02 | $2,328 | $1,785 |
| E03 | $2,328 | $1,785 |
| E04 | $2,328 | $1,785 |
| E05 | $2,508 | $2,013 |
| E06 | $2,850 | $2,160 |
| E07 | $2,922 | $2,331 |
| E08 | $3,000 | $2,583 |
| E09 | $3,105 | $2,676 |
| W01 | $2,868 | $2,274 |
| W02 | $2,955 | $2,580 |
| W03 | $3,054 | $2,688 |
| W04 | $3,126 | $2,862 |
| W05 | $3,222 | $2,940 |
| O01E | $2,931 | $2,505 |
| O02E | $3,039 | $2,655 |
| O03E | $3,138 | $2,841 |
| O01 | $2,556 | $2,142 |
| O02 | $2,847 | $2,451 |
| O03 | $3,051 | $2,724 |
| O04 | $3,249 | $2,919 |
| O05 | $3,387 | $2,961 |
| O06 | $3,417 | $3,033 |
| O07 | $3,444 | $3,087 |
BAH for TACOMA, WA includes the following zip codes: 98303, 98304, 98321, 98323, 98327, 98328, 98329, 98330, 98332, 98333, 98335, 98338, 98344, 98348, 98349, 98351, 98352, 98354, 98360, 98371, 98372, 98373, 98374, 98375, 98385, 98387, 98388, 98390, 98391, 98394, 98395, 98396, 98397, 98398, 98401, 98402, 98403, 98404, 98405, 98406, 98407, 98408, 98409, 98411, 98412, 98413, 98415, 98416, 98417, 98418, 98419, 98421, 98422, 98424, 98430, 98431, 98433, 98438, 98439, 98443, 98444, 98445, 98446, 98447, 98448, 98464, 98465, 98466, 98467, 98471, 98481, 98490, 98493, 98496, 98497, 98498, 98499, 98501, 98502, 98503, 98504, 98505, 98506, 98507, 98508, 98509, 98511, 98512, 98513, 98516, 98530, 98540, 98556, 98558, 98576, 98579, 98580, 98589, 98597, 98599.
WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,977 | $1,590 |
| E02 | $1,977 | $1,590 |
| E03 | $1,977 | $1,590 |
| E04 | $1,977 | $1,590 |
| E05 | $2,028 | $1,803 |
| E06 | $2,640 | $1,980 |
| E07 | $2,790 | $2,094 |
| E08 | $2,943 | $2,208 |
| E09 | $3,099 | $2,334 |
| W01 | $2,664 | $1,998 |
| W02 | $2,853 | $2,151 |
| W03 | $3,045 | $2,358 |
| W04 | $3,120 | $2,673 |
| W05 | $3,210 | $2,823 |
| O01E | $2,814 | $2,112 |
| O02E | $3,021 | $2,295 |
| O03E | $3,132 | $2,634 |
| O01 | $2,106 | $1,923 |
| O02 | $2,634 | $2,097 |
| O03 | $3,042 | $2,418 |
| O04 | $3,240 | $2,793 |
| O05 | $3,372 | $2,883 |
| O06 | $3,402 | $3,027 |
| O07 | $3,429 | $3,084 |
BAH for WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA includes the following zip codes: 98221, 98222, 98232, 98233, 98235, 98236, 98237, 98238, 98239, 98249, 98253, 98255, 98257, 98260, 98263, 98267, 98273, 98274, 98277, 98278, 98282, 98283, 98284.
YAKIMA, WA BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,611 | $1,209 |
| E02 | $1,611 | $1,209 |
| E03 | $1,611 | $1,209 |
| E04 | $1,611 | $1,209 |
| E05 | $1,800 | $1,350 |
| E06 | $2,286 | $1,716 |
| E07 | $2,397 | $1,797 |
| E08 | $2,508 | $1,899 |
| E09 | $2,664 | $2,043 |
| W01 | $2,307 | $1,731 |
| W02 | $2,442 | $1,896 |
| W03 | $2,583 | $2,061 |
| W04 | $2,697 | $2,310 |
| W05 | $2,835 | $2,421 |
| O01E | $2,412 | $1,809 |
| O02E | $2,565 | $2,010 |
| O03E | $2,715 | $2,280 |
| O01 | $1,863 | $1,419 |
| O02 | $2,283 | $1,800 |
| O03 | $2,580 | $2,109 |
| O04 | $2,880 | $2,397 |
| O05 | $3,090 | $2,460 |
| O06 | $3,117 | $2,565 |
| O07 | $3,141 | $2,610 |
BAH for YAKIMA, WA includes the following zip codes: 98901, 98902, 98903, 98904, 98907, 98908, 98909, 98920, 98921, 98923, 98930, 98932, 98933, 98935, 98936, 98937, 98938, 98939, 98942, 98944, 98947, 98948, 98951, 98952, 98953.
2025 BAH FAQs for Washington
How much did BAH increase in Washington for 2025?
BAH increased by about 5.6% statewide, with the sharpest hikes near Seattle, JBLM, and Bremerton ZIPs.
Where is BAH highest in Washington?
BAH is highest in ZIPs around Seattle (98101), Bellevue (98004), and Naval Base Kitsap (98312).
What is the BAH for an E-5 with dependents at JBLM?
An E-5 with dependents at Joint Base Lewis-McChord receives approximately $2,943/month in 2025.
Does BAH fully cover rent in Washington?
In most areas near base, yes. In higher-rent metros like Seattle and Bellevue, families may need to supplement rent.
Is BAH taxable in Washington?
No. BAH is a tax-free benefit and does not count toward state or federal income.
Can I use BAH to qualify for a mortgage?
Yes. Lenders treat BAH as recurring income when evaluating VA mortgage eligibility.
What ZIP code applies to NAS Whidbey Island?
ZIP 98277 (Oak Harbor) is used for BAH calculations at NAS Whidbey Island.
When are BAH rates updated?
The Department of Defense reviews and updates BAH annually, with changes taking effect each January.
