Using the BAH Calculator

What is the BAH Calculator?

The BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) calculator on PCS Pal helps you determine your exact housing allowance based on your rank, dependency status, and duty station. This tool is essential for planning your housing budget and finding properties that align with your BAH rate.

How to Use the Calculator

Enter your rank and dependency status
Select your duty station or enter ZIP code
View your monthly BAH rate
See historical BAH rates for your area
Get estimated utility costs

Understanding Your Results

The calculator shows:

Monthly BAH amount
Breakdown of typical housing costs in your area
Utility cost estimates
Annual BAH total
Year-over-year BAH rate changes

Using BAH Results in Your Search

Once you have your BAH rate:

Use the "Filter by BAH" option in property search
See color-coded properties (green = within BAH, yellow = slightly above, red = significantly above)
View total monthly costs including utilities
Compare properties based on included utilities and amenities

Pro Tips

BAH rates typically update annually in January
Some areas have mid-year rate adjustments
Save your BAH calculation to your profile for easy reference
Set up alerts for properties within your BAH range