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Nationwide 2026 BAH and VA payment comparison

Military PCS Housing Cost Index

The PBT Military PCS Housing Cost Index compares an estimated zero-down core VA payment with 2026 E-5 with-dependents BAH across 120 installation-linked communities in 43 states plus Washington, DC. An index of 100 means the estimated payment and the example housing allowance are the same.

A lower index means the allowance covers more of the estimate, while a higher index means the household may need more income for the projected payment. It is a market comparison, not a loan approval or a recommendation to spend the full housing allowance, and the estimate excludes homeowners insurance and HOA dues.


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  • 120 installation-linked PCS markets
  • 43 states plus Washington, DC
  • Zero-down core VA estimate
United States map with military PCS housing cost index markers
59.1Lowest housing pressure index in the study
Rock IslandLowest estimated payment compared with BAH
120Military housing markets compared
43 + DCStates represented by verified installation markets

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Does the military pay for housing?

The military helps eligible service members with housing through government quarters or Basic Allowance for Housing when government quarters are not provided. BAH is housing compensation based on the duty location, pay grade, and whether the member has dependents. It is not a promise that every rent or mortgage cost will be covered.

For an off-base purchase, the allowance is income rather than a direct mortgage payment. The service member still chooses the home, makes the mortgage payment, and qualifies under the applicable loan requirements. The index below compares one consistent E-5 with-dependents allowance with one estimated VA payment so families can see where the gap may be larger or smaller.

Government housing

An eligible household may receive government-owned or privatized housing under the installation rules and housing-office process.

BAH for civilian housing

When government quarters are not provided, an eligible service member may receive BAH and use it toward rent or a mortgage in the civilian market.

Your housing cost can differ

BAH is not intended to cover every housing expense. The chosen home, utilities, taxes, insurance, HOA dues, maintenance, and commute can move the real cost above or below the allowance.

Use your exact rate

We verify the published BAH for the duty ZIP, pay grade, and dependent status, then compare it with the current LES, orders, and expected housing arrangement.

Lowest housing-pressure markets

Where does BAH cover the largest share of the estimate?

These ten markets have the lowest housing pressure index in the nationwide study. The index can change when the pay grade, dependent status, loan amount, interest rate, funding-fee waiver, property tax, insurance, or chosen neighborhood changes.

  1. #1

    Rock Island, IL

    59.1Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$1,908/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$1,128/mo

    Rock Island Arsenal. Redfin median sale price $139,924.

  2. #2

    Petersburg, VA

    67.2Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$2,358/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$1,585/mo

    Fort Lee. Redfin median sale price $224,878.

  3. #3

    Dayton, OH

    67.9Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$1,650/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$1,121/mo

    Wright-Patterson AFB. Redfin median sale price $149,918.

  1. #4

    Warren, MI

    70.8Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$2,361/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$1,672/mo

    Detroit Arsenal. Redfin median sale price $224,878.

  2. #5

    Shreveport, LA

    74.8Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$1,845/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$1,379/mo

    Barksdale AFB. Redfin median sale price $199,891.

  3. #6

    Hinesville, GA

    79.5Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$2,310/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$1,835/mo

    Fort Stewart. Redfin median sale price $259,359.

  4. #7

    Montgomery, AL

    80.5Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$1,683/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$1,354/mo

    Maxwell AFB and Gunter Annex. Redfin median sale price $199,891.

  5. #8

    Belleville, IL

    81.5Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$1,542/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$1,257/mo

    Scott AFB. Redfin median sale price $155,915.

  6. #9

    Augusta, GA

    82.3Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$1,890/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$1,556/mo

    Fort Gordon. Redfin median sale price $219,880.

  7. #10

    Philadelphia, PA

    82.7Pressure index
    2026 E-5 BAH$2,691/mo
    Estimated core VA payment$2,225/mo

    Naval Support Activity Philadelphia. Redfin median sale price $299,837.

PBT calculation using the official 2026 Defense Travel Management Office all-locations BAH download and Redfin median sale-price based VA payment estimates through June 2026.

Start with the orders and documented housing allowance

Want us to compare the next duty station with your LES?

Request a callback before you travel to look at homes. A VA loan specialist can compare the projected housing allowance, base pay, debts, residual income, and a practical price range. That first planning call does not require us to pull credit.

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How do PCS housing costs compare by military market?

Search by market or installation, then compare the Redfin median sale price, estimated core VA payment, housing allowance, and index. The complete geography and calculation fields remain in the downloadable CSV. An index under 100 means the example BAH is higher than the estimated payment.

Showing 120 records

More comparison fields are available to the right. Swipe or scroll sideways, or download the complete CSV.
1 Rock Island, IL Rock Island Arsenal $139,924 $1,128 / $1,908 59.1
2 Petersburg, VA Fort Lee $224,878 $1,585 / $2,358 67.2
3 Dayton, OH Wright-Patterson AFB $149,918 $1,121 / $1,650 67.9
4 Warren, MI Detroit Arsenal $224,878 $1,672 / $2,361 70.8
5 Shreveport, LA Barksdale AFB $199,891 $1,379 / $1,845 74.8
6 Hinesville, GA Fort Stewart $259,359 $1,835 / $2,310 79.5
7 Montgomery, AL Maxwell AFB and Gunter Annex $199,891 $1,354 / $1,683 80.5
8 Belleville, IL Scott AFB $155,915 $1,257 / $1,542 81.5
9 Augusta, GA Fort Gordon $219,880 $1,556 / $1,890 82.3
10 Philadelphia, PA Naval Support Activity Philadelphia $299,837 $2,225 / $2,691 82.7
11 Indian Head, MD Naval Support Activity South Potomac, Indian Head $374,796 $2,717 / $3,249 83.6
12 Marysville, CA Beale AFB $354,807 $2,500 / $2,967 84.3
13 North Chicago, IL Naval Station Great Lakes $257,310 $2,074 / $2,427 85.4
14 Carlisle, PA Carlisle Barracks $249,864 $1,854 / $2,076 89.3
15 Millington, TN Naval Support Activity Mid-South $284,595 $1,944 / $2,154 90.2
16 Dover, DE Dover AFB $299,837 $2,054 / $2,277 90.2
17 Fayetteville, NC Fort Bragg and Pope Army Airfield $239,869 $1,671 / $1,806 92.5
18 Hampton, VA Joint Base Langley-Eustis $299,237 $2,110 / $2,274 92.8
19 Albany, GA Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany $180,802 $1,279 / $1,371 93.3
20 Twentynine Palms, CA Twentynine Palms $263,956 $1,860 / $1,980 93.9
21 Lawton, OK Fort Sill $164,910 $1,168 / $1,233 94.7
22 Groton, CT Naval Submarine Base New London $312,330 $2,448 / $2,580 94.9
23 Havelock, NC MCAS Cherry Point $254,861 $1,776 / $1,851 95.9
24 Watertown, NY Fort Drum $208,886 $1,602 / $1,665 96.2
25 Columbus, GA Fort Benning $234,872 $1,662 / $1,716 96.9
26 Norfolk, VA Hampton Roads naval installations $334,818 $2,360 / $2,430 97.1
27 Warner Robins, GA Robins AFB $247,765 $1,753 / $1,800 97.4
28 Barstow, CA Fort Irwin and MCLB Barstow $279,848 $1,972 / $2,001 98.5
29 Fairbanks, AK Eielson AFB and USAG Alaska, Wainwright $328,271 $2,408 / $2,436 98.9
30 Leesville, LA Fort Polk $174,905 $1,207 / $1,218 99.1
31 Goldsboro, NC Seymour Johnson AFB $216,882 $1,511 / $1,521 99.4
32 Savannah, GA Hunter Army Airfield $339,715 $2,404 / $2,415 99.5
33 Panama City, FL Naval Support Activity Panama City and Tyndall AFB $306,363 $2,171 / $2,163 100.4
34 Jacksonville, FL Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport $309,831 $2,195 / $2,181 100.6
35 Enid, OK Vance AFB $170,907 $1,211 / $1,200 100.9
36 Wichita Falls, TX Sheppard AFB $199,811 $1,508 / $1,491 101.2
37 Columbia, SC Fort Jackson $279,848 $1,911 / $1,878 101.8
38 Leavenworth, KS Fort Leavenworth $248,865 $1,866 / $1,815 102.8
39 Aberdeen, MD Aberdeen Proving Ground $354,807 $2,572 / $2,478 103.8
40 Valdosta, GA Moody AFB $224,778 $1,591 / $1,524 104.4
41 Killeen, TX Fort Hood $234,872 $1,773 / $1,695 104.6
42 Alamogordo, NM Holloman AFB $239,869 $1,676 / $1,590 105.4
43 Omaha, NE Offutt AFB $288,843 $2,207 / $2,085 105.9
44 Highland Falls, NY United States Military Academy at West Point $479,739 $3,679 / $3,468 106.1
45 San Antonio, TX Joint Base San Antonio $264,856 $2,000 / $1,869 107
46 El Paso, TX Fort Bliss $256,949 $1,940 / $1,809 107.2
47 Kingsland, GA Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay $325,273 $2,302 / $2,133 107.9
48 Little Rock, AR Little Rock AFB $289,842 $1,996 / $1,848 108
49 Jacksonville, NC Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River $246,866 $1,720 / $1,584 108.6
50 Abilene, TX Dyess AFB $269,853 $2,037 / $1,872 108.8
51 Honolulu, HI Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, MCB Hawaii, and USAG Hawaii $599,674 $4,008 / $3,663 109.4
52 Woodbridge, VA Marine Corps Base Quantico $469,744 $3,312 / $2,955 112.1
53 Aurora, CO Buckley SFB $464,737 $3,191 / $2,841 112.3
54 Albuquerque, NM Kirtland AFB $359,804 $2,513 / $2,211 113.7
55 Corpus Christi, TX Naval Air Station Corpus Christi $269,753 $2,037 / $1,788 113.9
56 Radcliff, KY Fort Knox $266,845 $1,881 / $1,647 114.2
57 Tucson, AZ Davis-Monthan AFB $320,326 $2,183 / $1,905 114.6
58 Anchorage, AK Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson $449,755 $3,300 / $2,874 114.8
59 Clovis, NM Cannon AFB $224,878 $1,571 / $1,365 115.1
60 Odenton, MD Fort Meade $464,747 $3,369 / $2,901 116.1
61 Oklahoma City, OK Tinker AFB $269,853 $1,912 / $1,644 116.3
62 San Angelo, TX Goodfellow AFB $244,867 $1,849 / $1,578 117.2
63 Del Rio, TX Laughlin AFB $229,875 $1,735 / $1,470 118.1
64 Clarksville, TN Fort Campbell $314,829 $2,150 / $1,815 118.5
65 Altus, OK Altus AFB $209,886 $1,487 / $1,254 118.6
66 Frederick, MD Fort Detrick $442,259 $3,206 / $2,682 119.5
67 Enterprise, AL Fort Rucker $279,598 $1,894 / $1,572 120.5
68 Ridgecrest, CA Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake $267,854 $1,887 / $1,563 120.7
69 Fort Worth, TX Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth $339,815 $2,565 / $2,118 121.1
70 Sierra Vista, AZ Fort Huachuca $306,583 $2,089 / $1,719 121.5
71 Tampa, FL MacDill AFB $465,547 $3,298 / $2,709 121.8
72 Spokane, WA Fairchild AFB $375,556 $2,671 / $2,184 122.3
73 Biloxi, MS Keesler AFB and Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport $279,748 $1,959 / $1,602 122.3
74 Warrensburg, MO Whiteman AFB $281,847 $2,006 / $1,611 124.5
75 Lompoc, CA Vandenberg SFB $591,678 $4,169 / $3,333 125.1
76 Ogden, UT Hill AFB $386,839 $2,654 / $2,118 125.3
77 Las Cruces, NM White Sands Missile Range $305,334 $2,133 / $1,701 125.4
78 Lexington Park, MD Naval Air Station Patuxent River $417,273 $3,024 / $2,406 125.7
79 Sparta, WI Fort McCoy $234,772 $1,760 / $1,395 126.2
80 New Orleans, LA Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans $349,810 $2,414 / $1,905 126.7
81 Sumter, SC Shaw AFB $279,848 $1,911 / $1,503 127.1
82 Grand Forks, ND Grand Forks AFB $304,834 $2,212 / $1,731 127.8
83 Huntsville, AL Redstone Arsenal $340,715 $2,308 / $1,797 128.4
84 Fairfield, CA Travis AFB $622,911 $4,389 / $3,369 130.3
85 Rapid City, SD Ellsworth AFB $356,706 $2,605 / $1,986 131.2
86 Lemoore, CA Naval Air Station Lemoore $399,782 $2,817 / $2,139 131.7
87 Eatontown, NJ Naval Weapons Station Earle $582,183 $4,674 / $3,549 131.7
88 Cocoa Beach, FL Patrick SFB $466,546 $3,305 / $2,502 132.1
89 Yuma, AZ MCAS Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground $331,580 $2,259 / $1,695 133.3
90 Colorado Springs, CO Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, and USAF Academy $459,650 $3,156 / $2,358 133.9
91 Minot, ND Minot AFB $285,844 $2,074 / $1,548 134
92 Junction City, KS Fort Riley $237,371 $1,780 / $1,314 135.4
93 Beaufort, SC MCAS Beaufort and MCRD Parris Island $477,740 $3,262 / $2,403 135.8
94 Wichita, KS McConnell AFB $249,864 $1,873 / $1,377 136.1
95 Bremerton, WA Naval Base Kitsap $455,547 $3,239 / $2,364 137
96 Palmdale, CA Edwards AFB $519,717 $3,662 / $2,658 137.8
97 Pensacola, FL Naval Air Station Pensacola and Naval Air Station Whiting Field $364,801 $2,585 / $1,863 138.7
98 Washington, DC Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and Naval Support Activity Washington $623,134 $4,349 / $3,132 138.8
99 Tacoma, WA Joint Base Lewis-McChord $499,728 $3,554 / $2,556 139
100 Waynesville, MO Fort Leonard Wood $294,740 $2,098 / $1,479 141.9
101 El Centro, CA Naval Air Facility El Centro $414,774 $2,922 / $1,986 147.1
102 Great Falls, MT Malmstrom AFB $339,715 $2,389 / $1,608 148.6
103 Las Vegas, NV Nellis AFB and Creech AFB $449,755 $3,080 / $2,070 148.8
104 Fallon, NV Naval Air Station Fallon $352,308 $2,413 / $1,596 151.2
105 Everett, WA Naval Station Everett $594,676 $4,229 / $2,748 153.9
106 Niceville, FL Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field $529,612 $3,752 / $2,433 154.2
107 Annapolis, MD Naval Support Activity Annapolis and U.S. Naval Academy $624,660 $4,528 / $2,928 154.6
108 Mountain Home, ID Mountain Home AFB $368,295 $2,509 / $1,605 156.3
109 Oceanside, CA Camp Pendleton $884,712 $6,233 / $3,963 157.3
110 Cheyenne, WY F. E. Warren AFB $379,793 $2,634 / $1,653 159.3
111 Portsmouth, NH Portsmouth Naval Shipyard $690,574 $5,300 / $3,321 159.6
112 Oak Harbor, WA Naval Air Station Whidbey Island $500,040 $3,556 / $2,073 171.5
113 San Diego, CA San Diego naval and Marine Corps installations $984,464 $6,936 / $3,975 174.5
114 Ventura, CA Naval Base Ventura County $899,510 $6,338 / $3,537 179.2
115 Charleston, SC Joint Base Charleston $638,652 $4,361 / $2,385 182.9
116 Bedford, MA Hanscom AFB $1,065,420 $7,768 / $4,188 185.5
117 Monterey, CA Presidio of Monterey and Naval Support Activity Monterey $1,084,410 $7,640 / $3,465 220.5
118 Key West, FL Naval Air Station Key West $1,264,312 $8,958 / $3,969 225.7
119 Newport, RI Naval Station Newport $1,007,452 $7,405 / $2,847 260.1
120 El Segundo, CA Los Angeles SFB $1,699,075 $11,971 / $3,882 308.4

Installation eligibility uses the official MilitaryINSTALLATIONS directory. The example uses the official 2026 Defense Travel Management Office all-locations download and E-5 with-dependents BAH as one consistent benchmark. Housing inputs use Redfin Data Center median sale prices. Review the official BAH data collection method, then verify your exact allowance through the Defense Travel Management Office or finance office.

Download the data

Turn the duty-station comparison into a housing budget

Replace the example allowance with your real military income

We can review the current LES, projected duty location, debts, family size, and property costs before you choose a price range.

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How should a military family read the index?

Below 100

Example BAH is higher than the estimated payment, leaving a projected cushion before utilities, maintenance, and other household expenses.

From 100 to 130

An estimated payment above the example BAH means base pay or other qualifying household income will usually carry part of the housing cost.

Above 130

Higher housing pressure under these assumptions may call for a lower price, more household income, a funding-fee exemption, or a different neighborhood.

Your actual number

Your LES, pay grade, dependent status, duty ZIP, debts, rate, taxes, insurance, and property determine the real calculation.

Can BAH be used to qualify for a VA loan?

BAH can generally be used as qualifying military income when it is documented and expected to continue. We still review your full income, debts, credit, and proposed housing payment. Base pay, BAS, special pay, residual income, household size, and the exact property expenses all matter.

The safest time to compare the next allowance with a mortgage payment is before the house-hunting trip. We can use the projected duty station and your current LES to set a practical range, then update the numbers when you choose a home.

Balance scale holding a wallet and coins opposite a house and calendar, with moving boxes below

Next steps

Helpful VA loan resources

Take the PCS cost comparison into a specific housing budget with the tools and guides below.

Market study

Best Military Cities study

Compare BAH coverage and recent price stability across the nationwide military housing dataset.

View resource

PCS guide

Military PCS support

Review the timing, documents, occupancy, and home-search steps for a military move.

View resource

Start here

Get pre-qualified

Ask PBT to review the projected duty-station income and a comfortable payment range.

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Military PCS housing cost questions

Does the Army pay for housing through BAH?

The Army and the other uniformed services use BAH to provide housing compensation to eligible members when government quarters are not provided. The amount depends on the duty location, pay grade, and with-dependents or without-dependents status, and it is not intended to cover every housing expense.

How much does the military pay for housing?

There is no single military housing amount. Use the official Defense Travel Management Office lookup for the duty ZIP, pay grade, and dependent status, then confirm the amount and effective date with the finance office. This study uses E-5 with-dependents BAH only as a consistent comparison.

How does BAH work with military housing?

Government-owned and privatized housing follow the installation housing process, while a service member living in the civilian community generally receives the applicable allowance and pays the rent or mortgage. The housing office and finance office can confirm how the allowance is handled for a specific assignment and lease.

What does a PCS housing cost index of 100 mean?

It means the estimated monthly VA payment equals the 2026 E-5 with-dependents BAH used in this study. It does not mean you are approved or should spend the full allowance.

Will my BAH be the same as the table?

Not every nationwide BAH change applies to your exact rate because the amount depends on the duty location, pay grade, dependent status, and possible rate protection. We verify the published figure against the current LES, orders, and expected reporting date.

How do I find my exact 2026 BAH rate?

The nationwide percentage change does not determine one service member’s BAH. We use the duty ZIP, pay grade, dependent status, current LES, orders, and expected continuance to confirm the amount for the mortgage review.

Does the estimated VA payment include taxes and insurance?

The nationwide estimate includes principal, interest, and estimated state property tax. It excludes homeowners insurance, flood or wind coverage, and HOA dues because those costs can change substantially by property.

Can dual-military families use both housing allowances?

For a dual-military household, we review both LES statements, both sets of orders, dependent status, duty locations, ETS dates, and whether each allowance is expected to continue.

Does the PCS index cover the entire United States?

The nationwide index includes 120 installation-linked markets across 43 states plus Washington, DC, and it does not fill states without a qualifying installation-linked market by using a generic BAH city.

How often should the PCS index be updated?

BAH updates annually and local housing costs can move throughout the year, so the full index should be refreshed at least once a year and the property estimate should be updated before pre-qualification.

Run the next duty station with your real LES

Use Get Pre-Qualified to begin with the projected BAH, continuing income, monthly debts, household size, and target location. Those details give us a better starting point for the housing budget.

Get Pre-Qualified

Last reviewed August 8, 2026.