DOD Releases 2024 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates

The Department of Defense has released the 2024 Basic Allowance for Housing rates. Basic Allowance for Housing rates will increase an average of 5.4 percent when the new rates take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. While average BAH rates increased, different rental markets experienced different market trends, and the 2024 BAH rates reflect those geographic market condition differences.

The Department collects rental housing cost data annually for approximately 300 military housing areas in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. The Basic Allowance for Housing rate-setting process relies on a wide variety of data sources (e.g., U.S. Census Bureau survey data, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, commercial subscription rental cost databases, industry-leading online rental listing websites, and input from the Services and local military installation housing offices, among other sources) to obtain high-quality, accurate, current-year housing cost data.

Median market rents and average utilities (including electricity, heat, and water/sewer) comprise the total housing cost for each military housing area and are included in the Basic Allowance for Housing computation. Total housing costs are determined for six housing profiles (based on dwelling type and number of bedrooms) in each military housing area. Basic Allowance for Housing rates are then calculated for each paygrade, both with and without dependents, based on the housing choices of civilians with comparable incomes to each servicemember paygrade grouping.

Where can I see my rate?

For more information on the Basic Allowance for Housing, including the 2024 Basic Allowance for Housing rates and 2024 Basic Allowance for Housing rate component breakdown, visit this DOD website. Servicemembers can calculate their BAH payment by using the Basic Allowance for Housing calculator at this website.

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