Historic Boost in Troops' Housing Allowance 2023

Housing allowances for troops are jumping by 12.1%, on average, in 2023, defense officials announced Wednesday.

That’s the largest year-over-year percentage jump in the Basic Allowance for Housing in at least 15 years. Many Service Members have been hit hard over the last few years by the increased cost of housing.

The percentage increase in BAH varies by rank, location and whether the service member has dependents. New rates take effect Jan. 1.

Troops can look up their new BAH amount for 2023 by plugging in their rank and zip code in the DoD tool.

Of the 300 designated military housing areas, 291 will see increases in BAH; five will see decreases, and four will stay the same. Those with decreasing rates are Lake Charles, Louisiana (down by 10%); Holloman Air Force Base/Alamagordo, New Mexico (down by 4%); Vance Air Force Base/Enid, Oklahoma (down by 2%); Long Island, New York (down by 2%) and Buffalo, New York (down 1%). Troops stationed in areas where the amount of housing allowance decreases aren’t penalized; they continue to receive the same amount they received in 2022.

Areas where the BAH will stay the same are San Francisco; Erie, Pennsylvania; Memphis, Tennessee; and Bismarck, North Dakota.