💰 Military Pay

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

Non-taxable allowance for housing based on ZIP, rank, and dependents.

Official sourceDefense Travel Management Office (DTMO)
Official website
Last verified 2026-07-13·Effective 2026-01-01

What it is

BAH offsets housing costs when a member is not furnished government housing. Rates are set annually by the DTMO based on local rental market data, published by ZIP code, grade, and dependent status.

Who qualifies

  • Active-duty members not residing in government quarters (rules vary for members with dependents, geographic bachelors, and single junior enlisted).
  • Reserve/Guard on active-duty orders greater than 30 days receive full BAH; 30 days or less receive BAH-RC/T (partial).

How to apply

  1. 1Update dependent status in DEERS.
  2. 2Provide dependent and duty location in your Service's pay/finance system.
  3. 3BAH shows on your LES each month.
Apply on the official website

Frequently asked questions

Is BAH taxable?
No, BAH is non-taxable.
What if my actual rent is higher than BAH?
Members pay the difference out of pocket; BAH is not capped to your lease.