What If I Have to Live Off Base, or If I Choose To?

If government quarters are neither available nor provided at your installation, you will receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). The amount of your allowance is based on your geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. BAH rates follow median rental (not mortgage) costs for local rental housing markets (rather than national average rental costs). So, if an area’s median rental cost is $1,100 per month and you rent a place costing $1,200 per month, you will be responsible for the extra $100 per month cost.

Once you arrive at a new duty station, you will receive BAH rate protection. In other words, you will receive published rate increases, but no decreases. To find your allowance and frequently asked questions about BAH, visit their Web site.