2026 Non-Locality BAH Rates

Non-locality BAH is an umbrella term for Basic Allowance for Housing payments that don’t depend on where you’re stationed. Unlike the standard 2026 BAH rates, which adjust based on local housing costs in your duty station area, non-locality BAH uses flat rates that apply nationwide.

When calculating your BAH each month, you’ll need to see if you receive standard BAH or non-locality BAH. You’ll receive non-locality BAH in specific situations where the standard location-based system doesn’t work. This includes reservists on short-term orders, servicemembers in transit between duty stations, those living in government quarters, and members paying child support while living on base.

The 2026 non-locality BAH rates are effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.

This page covers the following types of non-locality BAH: 

• BAH Type II, also referred to as BAH Reserve Component/Transit (RC/T)
• Partial BAH 
• BAH Differential (BAH-DIFF)

Each serves a different purpose, but they are all housing allowances that stay the same regardless of where you’re located in the U.S. The chart below breaks down the 2026 rates for each type of non-locality BAH with or without dependents.

See 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates here.

2026 BAH Type II (BAH RC/T) Rates

BAH Type II, also known as the Basic Allowance for Housing Reserve Component/Transit (BAH RC/T), is a housing allowance for servicemembers where your specific location doesn’t factor into the payment amount. Your rank and dependency status determine your rate, but not your ZIP code.

Pay Grade	BAH Type II Without Dependents	BAH Type II With Dependents
O-10	$2,466.30	$3,035.10
O-9	$2,466.30	$3,035.10
O-8	$2,466.30	$3,035.10
O-7	$2,466.30	$3,035.10
O-6	$2,261.70	$2,731.80
O-5	$2,178.00	$2,633.40
O-4	$2,017.80	$2,320.80
O-3	$1,618.20	$1,920.30
O-2	$1,281.90	$1,638.30
O-1	$1,100.70	$1,466.70
O-3E	$1,746.60	$2,063.70
O-2E	$1,485.30	$1,862.40
O-1E	$1,291.80	$1,721.40
W-5	$2,051.40	$2,241.30
W-4	$1,821.30	$2,054.70
W-3	$1,531.20	$1,883.40
W-2	$1,359.40	$1,730.70
W-1	$1,139.40	$1,497.90
E-9	$1,494.90	$1,971.60
E-8	$1,374.30	$1,818.30
E-7	$1,265.70	$1,687.20
E-6	$1,169.70	$1,559.10
E-5	$1,052.70	$1,403.70
E-4	$915.60	$1,219.50
E-3	$850.50	$1,133.70
E-2	$811.50	$1,080.60
E-1	$811.50	$1,080.60

*BAH RC/Transit rates adjust for the average change in housing costs; BAH-DIFF rates increase with basic pay raises.

BAH Type II Eligibility

You’ll receive BAH Type II (BAH RC/T) in these situations:

• Reservists and National Guard members on active duty for 30 days or less. If your orders are for 30 days or fewer, you receive RC/T rates instead of standard locality-based BAH.
• Servicemembers in transit from certain locations. When you’re moving from select areas, particularly overseas assignments, to a new duty station where no prior BAH rate existed for you, you may receive BAH RC/T rates temporarily.
• Transition periods between duty stations. During the gap between leaving one permanent duty station and arriving at another, you may receive BAH Type II rates until you’re established at your new location.

Differences in BAH Type II and Standard BAH

BAH adjusts based on local rental markets. For example, based on 2026 BAH rates, an E-5 with dependents stationed in San Diego receives more than the same rank in Boulder, CO. BAH Type II eliminates that geographic factor. The BAH Type II rate depends only on your pay grade (E-1 through O-10) and whether you have dependents.

This means an E-5 with dependents receives the same RC/T rate whether they’re drilling in an expensive region or a more affordable one.

Example: You’re an E-5 National Guardsman who lives in Boulder, CO, with dependents, called up for two weeks of annual training in San Diego, CA. You’ll receive BAH RC/T ($3,975/month for San Diego) rather than the locality rate for your home station ($2,754/month for Boulder).

Partial BAH

Partial BAH is a small housing allowance you receive when you live in government quarters and don’t have dependents. It’s not meant to cover rent, but rather, to help offset incidental costs you face even when living on base.

Pay Grade	Partial BAH
O-10	$50.70
O-9	$50.70
O-8	$50.70
O-7	$50.70
O-6	$39.60
O-5	$33
O-4	$26.70
O-3	$22.20
O-2	$17.70
O-1	$13.20
O-3E	$22.20
O-2E	$17.70
O-1E	$13.20
W-5	$25.20
W-4	$25.20
W-3	$20.70
W-2	$15.90
W-1	$13.80
E-9	$18.60
E-8	$15.30
E-7	$12
E-6	$9.90
E-5	$8.70
E-4	$8.10
E-3	$7.80
E-2	$7.20
E-1	$6.90

Partial BAH Eligibility

You’re eligible to receive Partial BAH if you meet the following requirements:

• Live in military-provided housing (barracks, dormitories, or BOQ/BEQ)
• Don’t have dependents
• Are assigned to government quarters as your primary residence

Why Partial BAH Exists

Even though you’re not paying rent, living in government quarters comes with some costs. You might need storage for belongings that don’t fit in your room, additional furniture or organizational items, cleaning supplies beyond what’s provided, or personal items for your living space. Partial BAH acknowledges these expenses without giving the full housing allowance you’d need to live off base.

When Partial BAH Ends and Full BAH Starts

You’ll stop receiving Partial BAH and start receiving full BAH when either: 

• You reach a rank or time-in-service that allows you to live off base, or
• You move off base and begin paying rent, or
• You get married or add dependents, or

BAH-DIFF (BAH Differential)

BAH Differential (BAH-DIFF) is a housing allowance for servicemembers who live in government quarters but are legally required to pay child support. It bridges the gap between what you’d receive with dependents and what you’d receive without them.

Pay Grade	BAH Differential
O-10	$465.60
O-9	$465.60
O-8	$465.60
O-7	$465.60
O-6	$395.70
O-5	$382.50
O-4	$255.00
O-3	$254.70
O-2	$300.60
O-1	$324.60
O-3E	$266.10
O-2E	$318.60
O-1E	$374.10
W-5	$159.00
W-4	$196.20
W-3	$295.50
W-2	$312.30
W-1	$302.70
E-9	$399.30
E-8	$374.40
E-7	$433.20
E-6	$419.10
E-5	$380.10
E-4	$338.70
E-3	$277.80
E-2	$371.10
E-1	$439.20

*BAH RC/Transit rates adjust for the average change in housing costs; BAH-DIFF rates increase with basic pay raises.

BAH-DIFF Eligibility

You’re eligible to receive BAH-DIFF if you meet the following requirements:

• Live in government-provided housing (barracks, base housing, or ship)
• Are legally required to pay child support
• Pay an amount equal to or greater than the BAH-DIFF rate

Note: Servicemembers who pay child support but live off base receive the full “with dependent” BAH rate for their duty station, not BAH-DIFF.  You don’t receive BAH-DIFF if your monthly child support payment is less than the BAH-DIFF amount.

Example: You’re an E-5 living in the barracks. BAH-DIFF for E-5 in 2026 is $380.10/month. If your court-ordered child support is $400/month, you receive BAH-DIFF. If your child support is only $300/month, you don’t qualify for BAH-DIFF, and you receive Partial BAH instead.

BAH-DIFF vs. Full BAH for Child Support

If you live off base and pay child support, you don’t receive BAH-DIFF. Instead, you receive the full “with dependent” BAH rate for your duty station.

This is better financially. Standard BAH with dependents in most locations exceeds the flat BAH-DIFF rate by a significant margin.

Can You Receive Partial BAH and BAH-DIFF?

No. If you live in government quarters but pay child support, you receive BAH-DIFF instead of Partial BAH.

Which BAH Do I Receive?

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between BAH RC/T and BAH Type II?

They’re the same thing. “Type II” is the older official designation, while “Reserve Component/Transit” is the current terminology. The rates and eligibility rules are identical.

Can I receive both BAH-DIFF and standard BAH?

No. You receive either BAH-DIFF (if you live in government quarters and pay qualifying child support) or standard locality-based BAH (if you live off base). You can’t receive both.

However, if you live off base and pay child support, you receive the “with dependent” rate of standard BAH, which is usually higher than BAH-DIFF.

Does non-locality BAH count as income for VA loans?

Yes, non-locality BAH counts as income when considering a VA loan, but with conditions:

• BAH Type II (RC/T): Lenders can count it if you’re regularly activated and have a history of consistent orders. One-time activations may not qualify.
• Partial BAH: Too small to significantly impact loan qualification, but technically counts as income.
• BAH-DIFF: Can count, but most lenders prefer standard BAH because it’s higher and more predictable.

For the strongest VA loan application, standard locality-based BAH from active-duty status works best.

What happens to my BAH when I PCS to a new duty station?

It depends on your situation:

• From overseas to CONUS: You may receive BAH Type II (RC/T) during transit, then switch to standard locality-based BAH once you’re checked in at your new duty station.
• From one CONUS base to another: You usually continue receiving BAH for your old duty station until you officially arrive at the new one, at which point your rate adjusts to the new location.
• Important: BAH rate protection means your rate can’t decrease due to market changes if you stay at the same duty station. However, when you PCS, you receive the current rate for your new location—whether it’s higher or lower.

Is non-locality BAH taxable?

No. Like all BAH, non-locality BAH is a tax-free allowance. This applies to BAH Type II (RC/T), Partial BAH, and BAH-DIFF.

You don’t report BAH on your tax return, and it doesn’t affect your taxable income.

I’m a reservist. When do I switch from RC/T to standard BAH?

You switch from BAH Type II (RC/T) to standard locality-based BAH when your active-duty orders exceed 30 days.

• Orders for 30 days or less: BAH Type II (RC/T) 
• Orders for 31 days or more: Standard locality-based BAH

The change typically takes effect on day 31 of your orders.

Can my BAH-DIFF rate go down?

BAH-DIFF rates increase with basic pay raises. They don’t decrease due to market changes.

However, your eligibility for BAH-DIFF can end if:

• Your child support obligation ends
• Your child support amount drops below the BAH-DIFF threshold
• You move off base (you’d then receive standard BAH instead)
• You no longer meet dependency requirements

What if I have dependents but live in government quarters for my job (like a recruiter)?

This depends on your specific situation. Some servicemembers in certain assignments receive special housing allowances or arrangements. Check with your finance office and command about your eligibility.

In many cases, if you’re required to live in government quarters due to your assignment, you may still receive BAH if you have dependents who live elsewhere.

I’m receiving BAH RC/T. Can I use it to buy a house?

You can use any BAH toward homeownership, but BAH Type II (RC/T) presents the following challenges:

• Short-term nature: If you’re a reservist on a 30-day order, lenders may not view Type II (RC/T) as stable, ongoing income.
• Amount: Type II (RC/T) rates are national averages and may not reflect your local housing market costs.
• Better approach: If you’re planning to buy a home, transitioning to active duty with standard locality-based BAH provides more reliable income in the eyes of mortgage lenders.

How do I know which BAH type I’m receiving?

Check your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). Look for:

• BAH code or type designation
• The monthly amount
• Whether it’s listed as “with dependents” or “without dependents.”

Your amount will match one of the rates on this page if you’re receiving non-locality BAH. If your amount doesn’t match these tables, you’re likely receiving standard locality-based BAH.