2013 BAH Rates Announced, BAS Rates Too

Effective Jan. 1, 2013 active duty service members will see an average BAH rate increase of 3.8% or $60 for Basic Allowance Housing.  The 2013 proposed increase was 4.2% so this is slightly lower than anticipated but compared to 2012 where it was 2% it is much better. 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% BAH areas received a net decrease including most soldiers at Fort Bragg.  The silver lining to the decreases is that service members in these areas will not see their BAH rate decrease.  Service members have individual rate protection against any decrease and only newly reporting members to the these locations would receive the lower BAH rate.  This protects service members already entered into leasing contracts. BAH rates are determined by three components: median current market rent; average utilities (including electricity, heat, and water/sewer) and average renter’s insurance.  By law, BAH rates vary between pay grades because it is determined in part by assessing the housing of civilians in similar pay brackets.  This calculation will result in varying increases and decreases by grade in the same MHA.  For instance, the cost of a 1 bedroom apartment in San Antonio, TX may show a decrease year over year while a 3 bedroom townhouse may show an increase year over year.  This would result in grades utilizing the 1 bedroom apartment calculation with a BAH decrease and grades utilizing the 3 bedroom townhouse calculation with a BAH increase.  So even if a soldier is in an area showing a decrease, that particular soldier or grade may see a BAH increase.  More explanation on BAH rate differences. 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.

2012-2013   BAH (Basic Allowance Housing) Comparison
	2012 Increase	2013 Proposed Increase	2013 Actual Increase
Percentage Increase	2.00%	4.20%	3.80%

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

 

BAH Rate Tables

2013-With-Dependents-BAH-Rates

2013-Without-Dependents-BAH-Rates

2013 BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) Rate Increase

The DOD (Department of Defense) also announced the new basic allowance for subsistence, or BAS, rates for military service members.  Effective Jan. 1, 2013 service members will receive $352.27 a month, up from $348.44 per month this year. Officers will receive $242.60 a month, up from $239.96 in 2012.  The 2013 proposed BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) was 3.4% and this increase reflects a 1.09% increase. BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) is a non-taxable, cash payment allowance intended to defray a portion of cost of subsistence. BAS offsets costs for a service member’s food.

2012-2013  BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) Comparison
	2012	2013	Proposed Increase	Actual Increase
Enlisted	$  348.44	$  352.27	3.40%	1.09%
Officers	$  239.96	$  242.60	3.40%	1.09%

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BAH Calculator

* Enter Duty zip code and not residence zip code.  BAH rates are based on duty zip code.

** Click here for the OHA calculator (Overseas Housing Allowance calculator)

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.

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

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