2013 BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) Rates

See the latest update on the 2023 Basic Allowance for Housing rates.

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, active duty service members will see an average Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate increase of 3.8%. The 2013 proposed increase was 4.2%, which is slightly lower than anticipated but compared to 2012, where it was 2%, it’s a significant bump. 

The largest increases were in the following Military Housing Areas

• New York City – 14.7% increase
• Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma 14.1%
• Sumter/Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. – 11.8%
• Honolulu County, Hawaii – 11.2%
• Hanscom Air Force Base, ME – 10.8%

Approximately 21% of BAH areas received a net decrease, including most soldiers at Fort Bragg. The silver lining in the reduction is that service members already stationed in these areas will not see their BAH rate decrease. Service members have individual rate protection against any reduction, and only newly reporting members to these locations would receive the lower BAH rate. 

The Department of Defense (DoD) determines BAH using three components: median current market rent, average utilities (including electricity, heat, and water/sewer) and average renter’s insurance. 

For instance, the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in San Antonio, TX, may increase or decrease yearly, and the BAH calculation makes up for this. You can find a more detailed explanation of BAH rate differences here.

With the 2013 BAH rate increase, an estimated $20 billion will be paid to more than 1 million service members in the forthcoming year. Service members who reside overseas receive an overseas housing allowance and are not impacted by this rate increase.

Calculate or look up 2013 BAH Rates by Pay Grade, State and MHA

The simplest way to to determine your BAH rate is using this BAH calculator here. You can also parse either of the tables in the links below:

• 2013-With-Dependents-BAH-Rates
• 2013-Without-Dependents-BAH-Rates

Veterans, dependents, National Guard and reserves can use the MHA Calculator to see estimated monthly housing payments for the GI Bill which can differ from the BAH calculator.

The BAH rate increases are effective for all branches of the military; Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Reserves forces where applicable.