Military Housing Allowance Calculator
Compare two duty-station ZIPs side by side so you can see how location changes the monthly picture.
Best used when the main question is whether a move changes housing-driven buying power enough to care.
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 pay profile in two ZIP codes. It keeps the person and grade the same so the result stays focused on location, BAH, and the cost factor you choose for each side.
Worked example
Example: a member deciding between Washington, DC and San Diego can hold grade and family status constant, then compare both ZIPs without rebuilding the whole scenario twice.
When to use it
Use it when you are weighing duty-station options, comparing current and future housing pressure, or checking whether a move changes the monthly margin in a meaningful way.
When not to use it
Do not use it for commute quality, school quality, billet quality, or local rent negotiation. It answers the money question, not the full assignment-quality question.
What the result means
Each monthly figure shows the same pay profile under a different ZIP. The difference tells you how much the location changes the monthly outcome, and the annualized view helps you judge whether the gap is large enough to influence the move.
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.
- Uses the page-level cost factors unless you override them.
- Treats the two locations as direct side-by-side planning scenarios, not as an official BAH quote.
What is included
- Paygrade and years-of-service baseline
- BAH by ZIP and dependent status
- BAS and other baseline pay components used in the shared pay profile
- Separate left and right cost-factor controls
What is not included
- Commute costs, schools, or neighborhood fit
- Local tax treatment beyond the page inputs
- Actual lease terms or on-base housing waitlists
- Assignment-specific incentives outside the shared pay profile
Verify with
- The linked DTMO BAH tools and BAH component breakdown PDF
- Your gaining installation housing office
- Local rent and move quotes before signing anything
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.
Does this compare assignments or just ZIP codes?
This page compares the same pay profile across two ZIP codes. It is strongest for housing-driven location tradeoffs. It does not model billet quality, commute, or service-specific assignment factors.
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.