Military service members will see a 5.1% Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate increase in 2022, the Department of Defense announced on Wednesday, Dec. 15, after Congress passed the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The increase is 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.
Temporary 2021 BAH rate increases affecting 56 military housing areas, will expire on Dec. 31, 2021. Next year’s BAH rates go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
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 |
| 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% |
