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%.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates in Iowa increased for 2025. The national average increased by 5.4%, while Iowa duty stations received specific increases listed in the charts below.
Below are the local BAH rates charts for Military Housing Areas in Iowa. The Department of Defense determines BAH rates by location, pay grade (rank) and if a soldier has dependents.
See 2025 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates here.
DES MOINES, IA BAH Rates
Military Housing Area: IA082
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E01 | $1,425 | $1,107 |
| E02 | $1,425 | $1,107 |
| E03 | $1,425 | $1,107 |
| E04 | $1,425 | $1,107 |
| E05 | $1,629 | $1,221 |
| E06 | $2,055 | $1,542 |
| E07 | $2,136 | $1,602 |
| E08 | $2,220 | $1,719 |
| E09 | $2,346 | $1,839 |
| W01 | $2,076 | $1,557 |
| W02 | $2,172 | $1,716 |
| W03 | $2,274 | $1,857 |
| W04 | $2,376 | $2,070 |
| W05 | $2,499 | $2,154 |
| O01E | $2,148 | $1,626 |
| O02E | $2,262 | $1,812 |
| O03E | $2,391 | $2,049 |
| O01 | $1,686 | $1,266 |
| O02 | $2,052 | $1,605 |
| O03 | $2,271 | $1,902 |
| O04 | $2,538 | $2,133 |
| O05 | $2,724 | $2,178 |
| O06 | $2,745 | $2,256 |
| O07 | $2,766 | $2,295 |
BAH for DES MOINES, IA includes the following zip codes: 50007, 50009, 50021, 50023, 50032, 50035, 50073, 50111, 50131, 50169, 50226, 50237, 50243, 50265, 50266, 50301, 50302, 50303, 50304, 50305, 50306, 50307, 50308, 50309, 50310, 50311, 50312, 50313, 50314, 50315, 50316, 50317, 50318, 50319, 50320, 50321, 50322, 50323, 50324, 50325, 50327, 50328, 50329, 50330, 50331, 50332, 50333, 50334, 50335, 50336, 50339, 50340, 50359, 50360, 50361, 50362, 50363, 50364, 50367, 50368, 50369, 50380, 50381, 50391, 50392, 50393, 50394, 50395, 50396, 50398, 50936, 50940, 50947, 50980, 50981, 50982, 50983
About half the U.S. Counties (about 1,500) have little to no military population. While half the zip codes is significant, less than two percent of service members that are eligible for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) are within these counties. In order to account for these service members there are approximately 30 separate County Cost Groups (CCGs) assigned, each with similar housing costs. Use the BAH Calculator to enter your zip code to determine your Military Housing Area (MHA) aka County Cost Group. They range from ZZ510 to ZZ890 in increments of 10.
Military bases in Iowa:
- IA MEPS, Des Moines, Iowa
- Mountain Home AFB
BAH rates listed are for all branches of the military; Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Space Force and Reserves forces, where applicable. BAH rates in high-cost areas will be much greater than those in low-cost areas.
Veterans, dependents, National Guard and reserves can use the MHA Calculator to see estimated monthly payments. Active Duty service members should use the BAH Calculator or tables to see estimated payments. Both BAH and MHA benefits are based off the same payment tables but benefit amounts do vary based on different calculations.
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