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

You will receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to help you pay for off-base housing. The BAH amount is based on your rank and whether you have dependents. As of 2007, the allowance is meant to cover 100 percent of the average cost of housing in the local area. However, don’t be surprised if there is a gap between your allowance and the actual cost of housing. In this case, your family’s monthly income (or savings) will have to fill the gap.

Setting Aside Money for Off-Base Housing

Most of the money you set aside for future moves should be for off-base housing. You will need to determine how much you should save. Even if it is a rough estimate, it can help you build a realistic moving fund.

Find out your basic allowance for housing (BAH) from your base finance office, housing office, or from the Military Pay and Benefits Web site. Now add a "cushion" in case the BAH does not fully cover your housing cost. Choose a percentage of BAH, perhaps 15 percent. This is the monthly amount you should try to set aside in your moving fund. Multiply it by the number of months you expect to be at one location—at least 18 months is a good start.

$________ monthly moving fund savings x ____ months before next move = $________ needed in moving fund for housing

This amount may not cover all your housing costs, such as utilities, but it will help defray some of the costs associated with living off-base. Record this total on your Moving Fund Worksheet.