BAH Rates by State Overview

BAH varies enormously by state. California ranges from $5,127/month (San Francisco) to $1,563 (China Lake) for an E-5 with dependents. New York spans $5,070 (NYC) to $1,665 (Fort Drum).

Highest BAH states: California, Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts, DC metro. Lowest: Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana.

Strategic PCS consideration: a $2,000/month BAH difference between two duty stations is $24,000/year in tax-free income. If you have any assignment preference, the BAH differential is worth factoring into your decision — especially if housing costs don't scale proportionally with the rate.