2018 BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) Rates

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for 2018 will increase by 0.7% on average. The increase is far from the proposed 2.9%.

The 0.7% increase will be effective on Jan. 1, 2018, and service members will see the first increase on their Jan. 15 pay. BAH varies by location, and not every location will see an increase.

See 2024 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates here.

Determining Your BAH Rate

BAH rates depend on pay grade, zip code and dependent status. The easiest way to determine our BAH is by utilizing the BAH calculator here. You can also view the rates in chart format in the links below:

• 2018 BAH Rates (With Dependents)
• 2018 BAH Rates (Without Dependents)

FY2012 – FY2018 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Comparison

Continuing the Slow Growth Program

The BAH program includes a plan to slow growth, eventually achieving a 5% out-of-pocket cost for living expenses. For 2018, the rate will cover 96% of service members’ housing costs, a one percent drop from last year. BAH previously covered 99% of housing expenses, but by 2019, service members will be paying 5% of their housing expenses out of pocket.

Not all locations will see an increase, as the DoD bases BAH on the duty station zip code or school zip code in the case of veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. For instance, cities with high living costs, such as Honolulu, Chicago and Los Angeles, will have a higher BAH rate than cities with a lower cost of living.

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