2025 BAH Rates in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s 2025 BAH rates apply to areas like Fort McCoy and surrounding towns. Many Veterans use BAH to cover a $0 down VA loan—even with less-than-perfect credit. We approve borrowers with scores as low as 580 and offer manual underwriting when needed. Use the chart below to find current BAH rates by rank and ZIP code.
See how far your BAH goes in Wisconsin—apply now.
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What Is BAH and How Does It Work in Wisconsin?
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a monthly, tax-free benefit for military members living off base. In Wisconsin, it supports active-duty and Guard members stationed at Fort McCoy, recruiters in Milwaukee and Madison, and regional National Guard units across the state.
How BAH Rates Are Determined in Wisconsin
- ZIP Code: Rates vary by location — including 54656 (Fort McCoy), 53703 (Madison), and 53211 (Milwaukee).
- Pay Grade: BAH increases with your rank, based on expected housing size and cost.
- Dependents: Service members with dependents qualify for a higher BAH amount.
How to Use the 2025 BAH Chart
- Find your duty ZIP or installation location
- Select your pay grade (e.g., E-5, O-2)
- Compare “with” and “without” dependents monthly rates
In this Article
Using Your BAH to Buy a Home in Wisconsin
Many military families in Wisconsin choose to buy instead of rent using their BAH and a VA loan. With affordable housing in places like Tomah, Janesville, and Green Bay, your BAH may cover your entire mortgage — and VA loans don’t require a down payment.
Top VA Loan Benefits in Wisconsin:
- Zero down payment required for most homes
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
- Manual underwriting for flexible credit qualification
- Competitive interest rates for VA borrowers
Buying a home in Wisconsin with your BAH can provide long-term value — especially near stable markets like Fort McCoy or the Madison suburbs.
Wisconsin Housing Costs & BAH Impact
Wisconsin offers moderate housing prices across most regions. In cities like La Crosse, Madison, and Eau Claire, BAH typically covers full rent and utilities. Fort McCoy remains one of the more affordable military locations in the Midwest. In 2025, BAH increases reflected steady rent growth in Milwaukee, Madison, and surrounding suburbs. Overall, service members across the state enjoy strong value from their BAH.
Madison, WI BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,151 | $1,614 |
| O07 | $3,645 | $3,165 |
BAH for MADISON, WI includes the following zip codes: 53508, 53515, 53517, 53523, 53527, 53528, 53529, 53531, 53532, 53558, 53559, 53560, 53562, 53571, 53572, 53575, 53589, 53590, 53593, 53596, 53597, 53598, 53701, 53702, 53703, 53704, 53705, 53706, 53707, 53708, 53711, 53713, 53714, 53715, 53716, 53717, 53718, 53719, 53725, 53726, 53744, 53774, 53777, 53782, 53783, 53784, 53785, 53786, 53788, 53790, 53791, 53792, 53793, 53794.
Milwaukee, WI BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,178 | $1,635 |
| O07 | $3,684 | $2,946 |
BAH for MILWAUKEE, WI includes the following zip codes: 53005, 53007, 53008, 53018, 53029, 53045, 53046, 53051, 53052, 53056, 53058, 53064, 53066, 53069, 53072, 53089, 53103, 53105, 53108, 53110, 53118, 53119, 53122, 53126, 53127, 53129, 53130, 53132, 53138, 53139, 53146, 53149, 53150, 53151, 53153, 53154, 53167, 53172, 53177, 53182, 53183, 53185, 53186, 53187, 53188, 53189, 53201, 53202, 53203, 53204, 53205, 53206, 53207, 53208, 53209, 53210, 53211, 53212, 53213, 53214, 53215, 53216, 53217, 53218, 53219, 53220, 53221, 53222, 53223, 53224, 53225, 53226, 53227, 53228, 53233, 53234, 53235, 53237, 53259, 53263, 53274, 53278, 53288, 53290, 53293, 53295, 53401, 53402, 53403, 53404, 53405, 53406, 53407, 53408.
Sparta/Fort McCoy, WI BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,320 | $1,134 |
| O07 | $2,097 | $1,818 |
BAH for SPARTA/FORT MCCOY, WI includes the following zip codes: 54601, 54602, 54603, 54614, 54619, 54620, 54636, 54638, 54644, 54648, 54649, 54650, 54653, 54656, 54660, 54662, 54666, 54669, 54670.
Stevens Point, WI BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,206 | $957 |
| O07 | $1,941 | $1,656 |
BAH for STEVENS POINT, WI includes the following zip codes: 54401, 54402, 54403, 54404, 54406, 54407, 54408, 54410, 54411, 54412, 54413, 54415, 54417, 54423, 54426, 54427, 54429, 54440, 54441, 54443, 54448, 54449, 54454, 54455, 54457, 54458, 54466, 54467, 54469, 54471, 54473, 54474, 54475, 54476, 54479, 54481, 54482, 54484, 54488, 54489, 54492, 54494, 54495, 54909, 54921.
2025 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Rates in Wisconsin
Madison, WI BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,151 | $1,614 |
| E02 | $2,151 | $1,614 |
| E03 | $2,151 | $1,614 |
| E04 | $2,151 | $1,614 |
| E05 | $2,373 | $1,794 |
| E06 | $2,568 | $1,953 |
| E07 | $2,769 | $2,160 |
| E08 | $2,985 | $2,418 |
| E09 | $3,198 | $2,463 |
| W01 | $2,589 | $2,085 |
| W02 | $2,859 | $2,415 |
| W03 | $3,126 | $2,472 |
| W04 | $3,228 | $2,610 |
| W05 | $3,354 | $2,817 |
| O01E | $2,805 | $2,370 |
| O02E | $3,087 | $2,454 |
| O03E | $3,246 | $2,559 |
| O01 | $2,403 | $1,929 |
| O02 | $2,565 | $2,301 |
| O03 | $3,117 | $2,493 |
| O04 | $3,393 | $2,778 |
| O05 | $3,585 | $2,904 |
| O06 | $3,615 | $3,108 |
| O07 | $3,645 | $3,165 |
BAH for MADISON, WI includes the following zip codes: 53508, 53515, 53517, 53523, 53527, 53528, 53529, 53531, 53532, 53558, 53559, 53560, 53562, 53571, 53572, 53575, 53589, 53590, 53593, 53596, 53597, 53598, 53701, 53702, 53703, 53704, 53705, 53706, 53707, 53708, 53711, 53713, 53714, 53715, 53716, 53717, 53718, 53719, 53725, 53726, 53744, 53774, 53777, 53782, 53783, 53784, 53785, 53786, 53788, 53790, 53791, 53792, 53793, 53794.
Milwaukee, WI BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $2,178 | $1,635 |
| E02 | $2,178 | $1,635 |
| E03 | $2,178 | $1,635 |
| E04 | $2,178 | $1,635 |
| E05 | $2,337 | $1,866 |
| E06 | $2,676 | $2,028 |
| E07 | $2,760 | $2,181 |
| E08 | $2,853 | $2,409 |
| E09 | $3,024 | $2,502 |
| W01 | $2,694 | $2,133 |
| W02 | $2,799 | $2,406 |
| W03 | $2,913 | $2,517 |
| W04 | $3,069 | $2,691 |
| W05 | $3,261 | $2,781 |
| O01E | $2,772 | $2,334 |
| O02E | $2,898 | $2,481 |
| O03E | $3,096 | $2,667 |
| O01 | $2,385 | $2,013 |
| O02 | $2,673 | $2,289 |
| O03 | $2,910 | $2,550 |
| O04 | $3,327 | $2,760 |
| O05 | $3,621 | $2,808 |
| O06 | $3,654 | $2,895 |
| O07 | $3,684 | $2,946 |
BAH for MILWAUKEE, WI includes the following zip codes: 53005, 53007, 53008, 53018, 53029, 53045, 53046, 53051, 53052, 53056, 53058, 53064, 53066, 53069, 53072, 53089, 53103, 53105, 53108, 53110, 53118, 53119, 53122, 53126, 53127, 53129, 53130, 53132, 53138, 53139, 53146, 53149, 53150, 53151, 53153, 53154, 53167, 53172, 53177, 53182, 53183, 53185, 53186, 53187, 53188, 53189, 53201, 53202, 53203, 53204, 53205, 53206, 53207, 53208, 53209, 53210, 53211, 53212, 53213, 53214, 53215, 53216, 53217, 53218, 53219, 53220, 53221, 53222, 53223, 53224, 53225, 53226, 53227, 53228, 53233, 53234, 53235, 53237, 53259, 53263, 53274, 53278, 53288, 53290, 53293, 53295, 53401, 53402, 53403, 53404, 53405, 53406, 53407, 53408.
Sparta/Fort McCoy, WI BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,320 | $1,134 |
| E02 | $1,320 | $1,134 |
| E03 | $1,320 | $1,134 |
| E04 | $1,320 | $1,134 |
| E05 | $1,335 | $1,236 |
| E06 | $1,794 | $1,347 |
| E07 | $1,818 | $1,365 |
| E08 | $1,827 | $1,431 |
| E09 | $1,848 | $1,563 |
| W01 | $1,815 | $1,362 |
| W02 | $1,824 | $1,428 |
| W03 | $1,836 | $1,581 |
| W04 | $1,866 | $1,791 |
| W05 | $1,941 | $1,803 |
| O01E | $1,821 | $1,371 |
| O02E | $1,830 | $1,533 |
| O03E | $1,875 | $1,788 |
| O01 | $1,395 | $1,299 |
| O02 | $1,791 | $1,368 |
| O03 | $1,833 | $1,629 |
| O04 | $1,962 | $1,794 |
| O05 | $2,067 | $1,806 |
| O06 | $2,085 | $1,809 |
| O07 | $2,097 | $1,818 |
BAH for SPARTA/FORT MCCOY, WI includes the following zip codes: 54601, 54602, 54603, 54614, 54619, 54620, 54636, 54638, 54644, 54648, 54649, 54650, 54653, 54656, 54660, 54662, 54666, 54669, 54670.
Stevens Point, WI BAH Rates
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,206 | $957 |
| E02 | $1,206 | $957 |
| E03 | $1,206 | $957 |
| E04 | $1,206 | $957 |
| E05 | $1,302 | $1,047 |
| E06 | $1,641 | $1,230 |
| E07 | $1,662 | $1,248 |
| E08 | $1,671 | $1,374 |
| E09 | $1,689 | $1,467 |
| W01 | $1,659 | $1,245 |
| W02 | $1,668 | $1,371 |
| W03 | $1,680 | $1,482 |
| W04 | $1,707 | $1,635 |
| W05 | $1,782 | $1,644 |
| O01E | $1,665 | $1,299 |
| O02E | $1,674 | $1,446 |
| O03E | $1,716 | $1,632 |
| O01 | $1,350 | $1,107 |
| O02 | $1,638 | $1,275 |
| O03 | $1,677 | $1,515 |
| O04 | $1,806 | $1,638 |
| O05 | $1,914 | $1,647 |
| O06 | $1,929 | $1,650 |
| O07 | $1,941 | $1,656 |
BAH for STEVENS POINT, WI includes the following zip codes: 54401, 54402, 54403, 54404, 54406, 54407, 54408, 54410, 54411, 54412, 54413, 54415, 54417, 54423, 54426, 54427, 54429, 54440, 54441, 54443, 54448, 54449, 54454, 54455, 54457, 54458, 54466, 54467, 54469, 54471, 54473, 54474, 54475, 54476, 54479, 54481, 54482, 54484, 54488, 54489, 54492, 54494, 54495, 54909, 54921.
2025 BAH FAQs for Wisconsin
How much did BAH increase in Wisconsin for 2025?
BAH rose by about 3.6% statewide, with the biggest changes in Madison and Milwaukee ZIP codes.
Where is BAH highest in Wisconsin?
BAH is highest in urban ZIPs near Madison (53703), Milwaukee (53211), and Racine (53402).
What is the BAH for an E-5 with dependents at Fort McCoy?
In 2025, an E-5 with dependents at Fort McCoy receives approximately $2,010/month.
Does BAH fully cover rent in Wisconsin?
Yes. In most towns and mid-size cities, BAH fully covers rent and utilities. In some Milwaukee ZIPs, additional costs may apply.
Is BAH taxable income in Wisconsin?
No. BAH is excluded from both federal and Wisconsin state income taxes.
Can I use BAH to qualify for a mortgage?
Yes. Lenders treat BAH as stable income when evaluating VA and other loan applications.
What ZIP is used for Fort McCoy?
BAH for Fort McCoy is based on ZIP code 54656, which includes Tomah and Sparta housing areas.
When are BAH rates updated?
The Department of Defense releases new BAH rates annually. They go into effect each January.
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