2022 BAH Basic Allowance for Housing Rates
Updated: October 4, 2022
Written by MilitaryBenefits
BAH increases are an average for all areas and actual rates will vary by military members’ duty station zip codes. Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill receive BAH based on their school’s zip code.
According to DOD, 2022 BAH payments to approximately one million military members will total $25.6 billion.
2022 BAH Rate Increase
Some troops received up to 61% more BAH in October.
To counter rising market housing costs in 17 states, DOD issued automatic BAH rate increases to service members living in 28 of the most inflated military housing areas, according to a Sept. 22, 2022 memorandum from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
DOD enacted a similar increase in October 2021, which expired that December and did not affect 2022 BAH rates. It’s unclear whether the 2022 increased rates will carry over to bolster 2023 BAH rates.
Right now, troops are on track to receive a 4.2% BAH rate increase in 2023 to counter inflation, according to a draft of the 2023 defense budget. However, Austin directed DOD to review 2023 increase to ensure it reflects housing market fluctuations.
2022 BAH Rate Increase Chart
Here are the 2022 increases for 28 military housing areas.
| Location | Increased 2022 BAH Rate | Previous 2022 BAH Rate | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vandenburg Air Force Base, CA | $3,042 | $2,097 | 45% |
| Twenty-Nine Palms, CA | $2,352 | $1,461 | 61% |
| San Diego, CA | $3,792 | $2,871 | 32% |
| Dover Air Force Base, DE | $2,142 | $1,680 | 28% |
| Patrick Air Force Base, FL | $2,694 | $1,911 | 41% |
| Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL | $3,510 | $2,535 | 38% |
| Orlando, FL | $2,550 | $1,983 | 29% |
| West Palm Beach, FL | $3,054 | $2,355 | 30% |
| Volusia Country, FL | $2,013 | $1,713 | 18% |
| Fort Myers Beach, FL | $2,376 | $1,844 | 29% |
| King’s Bay/Brunswick, GA | $1,791 | $1,539 | 16% |
| Maui County, HI | $3,618 | $2,838 | 27% |
| Chicago, IL | $2,709 | $2,175 | 25% |
| Boston, MA | $4,188 | $3,081 | 36% |
| Cape-Code-Plymouth, MA | $3,222 | $2,562 | 26% |
| Martha’s Vinyard, MA | $3,366 | $2,628 | 28% |
| Brunswick, ME | $1,995 | $1,455 | 37% |
| Coastal Maine, ME | $2,142 | 1,767 | 21% |
| Fort Leonard Wood, MO | $1,164 | $906 | 28% |
| Helena, MT | $1,524 | $1,233 | 24% |
| Wilmington, NC | $1,845 | $1,614 | 14% |
| Northern New Jersey | $3,882 | $3,135 | 24% |
| Newport, RI | $2,748 | $2,013 | 37% |
| Providence, RI | $2,595 | $2,259 | 15% |
| Beaufort/Parris Island, SC | $2,247 | $1,821 | 23% |
| Knoxville, TN | $1,845 | $1,470 | 26% |
| Houston, TX | $2,124 | $1,650 | 29% |
| Quantico/Woodbridge, VA | $2,529 | $1,932 | 31% |
BAH covers 95% of housing expenses while service members pay the remaining 5% out of pocket. The out-of-pocket expense amounts incorporated in the 2022 BAH rates vary by grade and dependency status.
2022 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)
About Basic Allowance for Housing
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) provides service members who are living in or permanently stationed in the United States with housing cost assistance. Military members serving overseas receive a different type of housing allowance called the Overseas Housing Allowance or OHA.
Previously, only service members living off-base or off-post received BAH. But, the allowance has since evolved to cover some situations on-base housing situations.
How Are BAH Rates Set?
The Department of Defense determines BAH by collecting rental housing cost data each year for approximately 300 military housing areas across the United States. Local commands help data collection offices target the neighborhoods where the most military members live, DOD said.
Rental housing costs also include average utility costs like electricity, heat, water and wastewater.
Cities with higher costs of living, like Honolulu, Chicago, and Los Angeles, have higher BAH rates to offset those costs. Small or rural cities like Tacoma or Colorado Springs have a lower cost of living, so the BAH rate is lower.
Military members receiving BAH in a particular area have “rate protection” while stationed there. Their rates will not decrease. Instead, DOD said, decreases will only apply to service members moving into the area or who have a decrease in dependency or rank.
Historical BAH Rate Increases
| Year | Proposed Increase/Decrease | Actual Increase |
| 2023 | 4.6% | TBD |
| 2022 | 3.1% | 5.1% |
| 2021 | 2.90% – 3.70% | 2.90% |
| 2020 | 2.90% | 2.8% |
| 2019 | 2.90% | 2.55% |
| 2018 | 2.90% | 0.7% |
| 2017 | 2.90% | 2.4% |
| 2016 | 1.30% | 3.4% |
| 2015 | -5.00% | 0.5% |
| 2014 | 4.20% | 5.00% |
| 2013 | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| 2012 | 4.20% | 2.0% |
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