90210 (Beverly Hills, CA)
20001 (Washington D.C.)
32228 (Jacksonville, FL)
E-1
E-5
E-7
O-1
O-3
O-5
With Dependents
Without Dependents
Understanding Your USCG Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a non-taxable allowance provided to U.S. Coast Guard service members to help offset the cost of housing when government quarters are not provided. It is designed to provide uniformed service members with equitable housing compensation based on housing costs in their local civilian housing market.
How BAH is Determined
Your BAH rate is not a fixed amount across the board. It is meticulously calculated based on several key factors:
Duty Station Zip Code: This is the primary factor. BAH rates vary significantly by geographic location to reflect the local housing market costs. A service member stationed in a high-cost-of-living area like Washington D.C. or coastal California will receive a higher BAH than one stationed in a lower-cost area.
Pay Grade: Your rank or pay grade (e.g., E-1, E-5, O-3) directly influences your BAH. Generally, higher pay grades receive higher BAH rates, reflecting the assumption of greater housing needs or responsibilities.
Dependency Status: Whether you have dependents (spouse, children) or not also impacts your BAH. Service members with dependents typically receive a higher BAH rate to accommodate the increased housing requirements for a family.
Year: BAH rates are reviewed and updated annually by the Department of Defense, usually effective January 1st. These adjustments reflect changes in rental housing costs, including utilities, in specific military housing areas.
Why BAH is Important
BAH is a critical component of a service member's overall compensation package. It allows Coast Guard personnel to secure suitable housing in the civilian community, whether renting an apartment or owning a home, without having to dip into their base pay for housing expenses. This financial support helps ensure service members and their families can maintain a reasonable standard of living regardless of where they are stationed.
Using the USCG BAH Calculator
Our USCG BAH Calculator provides an estimate of your monthly Basic Allowance for Housing based on the factors you select. Simply choose the relevant year, your duty station's zip code, your pay grade, and your dependency status. The calculator will then display an estimated monthly BAH rate. Please note that the rates used in this calculator are illustrative examples and may not reflect the exact official BAH rates. For official rates, always refer to the Department of Defense's official BAH calculator or your unit's administrative office.
Example Scenarios:
Scenario 1: An E-5 with dependents stationed in Washington D.C. (20001) in 2024 might receive approximately $3,000 per month in BAH.
Scenario 2: An O-3 without dependents stationed in Jacksonville, FL (32228) in 2023 might receive around $2,300 per month in BAH.
Scenario 3: An E-1 without dependents stationed in Beverly Hills, CA (90210) in 2024 could expect about $2,500 per month in BAH.
These examples demonstrate how location, pay grade, and dependency status significantly alter the BAH amount received.