Article
Which Locations Saw the Biggest Increases and Decreases in 2026 BAH Rates?
· 2 min read
Calling all military families: it’s finally here! The Department of Defense has officially released 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates, and for most active duty, there’s a welcomed boost on the way.
The 2026 BAH rates reflect shifting housing markets across the country, with the majority of housing areas seeing increases designed to better match local rental trends. But while some duty stations are seeing significant jumps, others are holding steady, and a small handful will even see slight decreases.
To give a quick snapshot of what’s changed, we’ve compiled a list of the five locations with the highest BAH increases and the five locations with the lowest increases, using the rank of O-3 with dependents as an example.
As always, rates are based on rank, location, and dependent status. So make sure to get clear on your BAH rate with our 2026 Military BAH Calculator before finalizing your budgeting or PCS decisions for the new year.
*Rates are calculated based on an O-3 with dependents
Top Five Locations with the Largest BAH Increases
1. Outer Banks, NC
2025: $2,667 | 2026: $3,078
INCREASE OF $420 (15.75%)
2. Terre Haute, IN
2025: $1,737 | 2026: $2,001
INCREASE OF $264 (15.20%)
3. Fayetteville, AR
2025: $2,076 | 2026: $2,355
INCREASE OF $279 (13.44%)
4. Stika, AK
2025: $3,060 | 2026: $3,462
INCREASE OF $402 (13.14%)
5. Houston, TX
2025: $2,388 | 2026: $2,700
INCREASE OF $312 (13.07%)
Top Five Locations with the Largest BAH Decreases
1. Austin, TX
2025: $3,702 | 2026: $3,447
DECREASE OF $255 (-6.89%)
2. Phoenix, AZ
2025: $2,616 | 2026: $2,490
DECREASE OF $126 (-4.82%)
3. Springfield/Decatur, IL
2025: $2,091 | 2026: $2,001
DECREASE OF $90 (-4.3%)
4. Brownsville, TX
2025: $2,247 | 2026: $2,169
DECREASE OF $78 (-3.47%)
5. Beaufort/Parris Island, SC
2025: $2,952 | 2026: $2,856
DECREASE OF $96 (-3.25%)
No matter where this year takes you, these new BAH rates can open the door to fresh homeownership possibilities. If you’re wondering what these changes mean for your next steps, our lending and realty teams are ready to help you explore your options and make the most of 2026.
