2026 BAH Rates Leak: What the Provisional Data Reveals for Military Families
Updated December 10, 2025
Recent online data briefly published and then removed from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website shows a leaked version of the 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates. Although not yet official, this provisional information gives service members and military families an early look at how housing allowances may change next year.
What Is BAH and How Is It Determined?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a tax-free benefit that helps U.S. military members cover rental housing costs when government housing is unavailable. BAH amounts vary based on:
- Duty station location
- Pay grade
- Dependency status (with or without dependents)
The Department of Defense updates rates each year using local civilian housing data — including median rents and utility costs — to set fair compensation.
Leaked 2026 BAH Data: Key Findings
While the official 2026 BAH tables are not yet published, provisional figures briefly appeared online, showing:
Who Benefits Most?
The leaked numbers indicated:
- Mid-grade ranks (like E-6 with dependents) may see the largest increases in some local housing markets.
- Certain areas with rising rental demand — such as commuter zones, regional hubs, and cities with limited housing stock — showed stronger upward trends.
Where Rates Didn't Go Up
Interestingly, the leak also suggested that some markets could see BAH decreases or flat rates, including:
- High-cost tourist areas
- Cooling Sun Belt cities
- Locations such as Maui County (HI), Phoenix (AZ), and others
What Changes Might Mean for Your Budget
Understanding BAH changes helps with housing planning and PCS budgeting:
- Higher BAH may offset rising rents in competitive markets.
- Smaller increases or decreases could leave tighter budgets for families in some areas.
- Timing of PCS moves (before or after January 1) can affect which rate table applies to you in 2026.
When Will Official 2026 BAH Rates Be Announced?
The Department of Defense usually releases official BAH tables in mid-December each year, with new rates taking effect January 1. Until the DTMO reposts the final documents, the leaked data should be treated as provisional, not confirmed.
Keep an eye on official military pay and travel sites for the final rates — once published, they’ll include full tables broken down by ZIP code, pay grade, and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
BAH is based on local civilian housing rental and utility costs — as those costs rise, so generally does BAH.
Yes — markets with declining rental costs can result in lower BAH rates, but current service members are protected under rate-protection rules.
Official rates — once released — typically apply starting January 1, 2026.
Bottom Line for Military Families
Even though the 2026 BAH data leak isn’t final, the predicted average increase of about 4.2% suggests continued support for service members facing rising housing costs. Use this provisional insight to begin planning your housing budget, PCS moves, and family finances heading into the new year.
Stay tuned for the official DTMO release to confirm 2026 BAH tables and exact amounts by location.
