Military Pay
2025 Military Pay Charts
Military members saw a 4.5% increase in 2025, with junior enlisted members seeing an additional 10% boost in the spring to bring the raise to roughly 14.5%.
The Department of Defense announced that the 2026 BAH rates will increase by an average of 4.2%, effective January 1, 2026.
Below we’ve compiled the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates by state. Click on your state to navigate to the corresponding charts. Alternatively, you can use this BAH calculator to determine your BAH amount.
BAH rates depend on location, pay grade and whether the soldier has dependents.
See 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates here.
2026 BAH Rate Increase Charts
As mentioned above, each year the BAH rates increase across the nation, but they vary for housing area. While the national average jumped 4.2% this year, we’ve broken down the area that saw some of the highest increases.
Areas With the Largest BAH Increases in 2026
Here are the 25 largest increases in 2026, based on the BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents.
| Location | Increased 2026 BAH Rate | Previous 2025 BAH Rate | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIRMINGHAM, AL | $2,439.00 | $2,106.00 | 15.81% |
| ROCK ISLAND, IL | $1,908.00 | $1,650.00 | 15.64% |
| FRANKFORT, KY | $1,410.00 | $1,233.00 | 14.36% |
| OUTER BANKS, NC | $2,604.00 | $2,292.00 | 13.61% |
| FARGO, ND | $1,707.00 | $1,509.00 | 13.12% |
| FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO | $1,479.00 | $1,311.00 | 12.81% |
| LINCOLN, NE | $1,788.00 | $1,587.00 | 12.67% |
| MADISON, WI | $2,655.00 | $2,373.00 | 11.88% |
| MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,607.00 | $2,337.00 | 11.55% |
| WEST POINT, NY | $3,468.00 | $3,111.00 | 11.48% |
| JUNEAU, AK | $3,354.00 | $3,015.00 | 11.24% |
| CHEYENNE, WY | $1,653.00 | $1,488.00 | 11.09% |
| HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CA | $1,827.00 | $1,647.00 | 10.93% |
| CHICAGO, IL | $3,438.00 | $3,102.00 | 10.83% |
| COUNTY COST GROUP 830 | $2,250.00 | $2,040.00 | 10.29% |
| SHREVEPORT/BARKSDALE AFB, LA | $1,845.00 | $1,674.00 | 10.22% |
| TULSA, OK | $1,638.00 | $1,488.00 | 10.08% |
| COUNTY COST GROUP 820 | $2,160.00 | $1,965.00 | 9.92% |
| TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $2,070.00 | $1,884.00 | 9.87% |
| HARTFORD, CT | $2,901.00 | $2,646.00 | 9.64% |
| PEORIA, IL | $1,572.00 | $1,434.00 | 9.62% |
| COLUMBIA/JEFFERSON CITY, MO | $1,377.00 | $1,257.00 | 9.55% |
| COUNTY COST GROUP 840 | $2,322.00 | $2,121.00 | 9.48% |
| LANSING, MI | $1,806.00 | $1,650.00 | 9.45% |
| CHINA LAKE, CA | $1,563.00 | $1,428.00 | 9.45% |
While the chart above shows rank E-5 with dependents, it’s essential to note that rates change per rank, meaning E-5s with dependents may experience a higher increase than, for example, someone with an E-7 rank with dependents. The chart below averages all ranks with dependents and shows the areas with the highest increases overall.
| Location | 2026 Average BAH Rate Increase |
|---|---|
| OUTER BANKS, NC | 14.43% |
| TERRE HAUTE, IN | 13.24% |
| FARGO, ND | 11.86% |
| FRANKFORT, KY | 11.30% |
| SITKA, AK | 11.17% |
| MADISON, WI | 11.11% |
| COLLEGE STATION, TX | 11.08% |
| BIRMINGHAM, AL | 11.08% |
| WEST POINT, NY | 10.90% |
| JUNEAU, AK | 10.86% |
| FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO | 10.67% |
| GRAND FORKS, ND | 10.66% |
| KETCHIKAN, AK | 10.25% |
| CHICAGO, IL | 10.25% |
| KAUAI COUNTY, HI | 10.02% |
BAH Changes Timeline
- FY2019 – FY2025: 95% of service members’ housing costs are covered.
- FY2018: 96% of service members’ housing costs are covered.
- FY2017: 97% of service members’ housing costs are covered.
- FY2016: The FY 2016 NDAA authorized a growth slowdown of BAH by 1% per year until service members’ out-of-pocket housing costs reach 5%. The slowdown was phased in increments of 1% per year over four years, beginning with 98% in 2016.
- FY2015: The FY 2015 NDAA authorized monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at 99% (vs. 100%) of the median rental housing costs and removed rental insurance from the computation.
- By 2005: Housing allowance rates increased to eliminate median out-of-pocket housing costs for “off-base” housing. Through public-private ventures, the Department of Defense began working to renovate or eliminate and replace inadequate government housing.
- Late 1990s: The Department of Defense increases housing allowance rates to align them with actual rental market housing costs nationwide. Prior to this initiative, allowances only covered about 80% of housing costs. Military members were responsible for up to 20% of their housing costs.
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Jon Rehagan is a 2-time Emmy Award-winning journalist who covers financial topics and military news for the veteran community. With 16 years in broadcast media (including roles in radio and television) Jon has spent his career writing, shooting, editing, and producing everything from long-form investigative specials to daily news broadcasts and digital content. His work has been recognized by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, and he brings that same commitment to accurate, accessible reporting to helping service members, veterans, and military families navigate complex benefits and financial decisions.
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Andi Wrenn, an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC), has over 20 years of experience in personal finance and serves on the AFCPE board. A military widow, she mentors through TAPS, supporting others in times of grief.
