Army Assignment Affordability Compare
Same computation as the Military BAH Calculator but pre-filtered to Army. Use when you want to compare two Army installations without manually entering ZIPs from scratch.
Complete required fields, then select Calculate.
Estimate confidence: PENDING INPUT
Data as of 2026-01-01
Included in estimate
- Base pay (paygrade + years of service)
- BAS
- BAH (ZIP + dependent status)
- Special pay entered in this scenario
- Cost-of-living factor used by this tool
- Deduction rate assumption shown in this tool
Not included
- Service-specific incentive pays not entered (for example sea pay or flight pay)
- Future pay-table or allowance updates after the data date
- Personal tax credits/deductions beyond the selected deduction assumption
What this tool is for
Use this page to compare one Army pay profile across two installation ZIP codes. It keeps paygrade, years of service, and dependent status constant so the result focuses on the location difference.
Worked example
Example: a soldier weighing Fort Bragg vs Fort Campbell can hold paygrade and family status constant and see how BAH and purchasing power compare between the two installations.
When to use it
Use it when the decision is between two Army installations and you want to see the pay geography difference without rebuilding the scenario twice.
When not to use it
Do not use it for commute quality, on-post housing waitlists, school districts, or other non-pay assignment factors.
What the result means
The monthly difference shows how much the pay picture changes between the two installation ZIPs under the same paygrade and family status. It is a directional planning estimate, not an official entitlement quote.
Official sources used
Direct links to the official pages this tool relies on.
Site assumptions
- Keeps one pay profile constant and changes only the ZIP-side housing inputs.
- BAH is the DoD-published rate for each ZIP at the entered paygrade and dependent status.
- Treats the two locations as direct side-by-side planning scenarios.
What is included
- BAH for both ZIPs at the entered paygrade and dependent status
- Base pay and BAS at the entered paygrade and years of service
- Monthly and annualized difference output
What is not included
- On-post housing rates or BAH differential
- State income tax differences between installations
- Local cost of living beyond BAH
Verify with
- DTMO BAH lookup for each ZIP
- The gaining installation housing office
- Your unit finance office for actual entitlements
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official government site?
No. This is an independent planning utility, not an official U.S. Government website. Do not submit CUI, ITAR, classified, or sensitive personal information. Always verify estimates with official sources before making financial decisions.
How accurate are these estimates?
These are planning estimates based on official DFAS, DoD, and service-specific sources. Actual pay may vary based on your specific situation, special pays, tax withholdings, and other factors. Use these tools for planning purposes and verify with your finance office.
When was this data last updated?
Check the source and assumptions sections on this page for the current effective date used by the site. If the linked official pages have changed since then, use the official pages first.
How do cost factors affect the comparison?
Cost factors adjust the estimated purchasing power of your compensation at each location. A cost factor above 1.0 means higher living costs, while below 1.0 means lower costs compared to the baseline.
This estimate uses simplified planning assumptions. Review the linked methodology and official source pages before making financial decisions. Spotted an error or have a suggestion? Send a note.