Colorado is home to several major military installations, particularly in the Colorado Springs and Denver areas.
Because of this, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates in Colorado vary depending on location, rank, and dependent status.
Housing costs in the state can be relatively high, especially in cities like Denver and Colorado Springs, which have experienced rapid population growth in recent years.
On this page, you’ll find the current Colorado BAH rates for major military housing areas, including Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Fort Carson.
Related Article – Military Schools In Colorado
Table of Contents
Colorado Housing Costs & BAH Overview
Colorado has seen significant housing price increases over the past decade, particularly in major metro areas.
For example:
- Colorado Springs has experienced rapid growth due to its strong military presence.
- Denver and Aurora have some of the highest housing costs in the state.
- Pueblo and surrounding areas offer more affordable housing options.
Because of these differences, BAH rates are adjusted based on location to reflect local housing markets.
Many service members choose to live outside major metro areas to make their housing allowance go further.
Major Military Bases in Colorado
Colorado has one of the highest concentrations of military and space-related installations in the country:
- Fort Carson
- Peterson Space Force Base (formerly Peterson AFB)
- Schriever Space Force Base (formerly Schriever AFB)
- Buckley Space Force Base (formerly Buckley AFB)
- U.S. Air Force Academy
- Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station
These installations drive housing demand and play a major role in determining BAH rates across the state.
BAH For Colorado Springs / Pueblo
Colorado Springs is the prime destination for service members.
It’s home to the largest number of military bases.
Furthermore, Colorado Springs is very friendly to military families.
Moreover, nearby Pueblo is another consideration for affordable housing.
The military bases in Colorado Springs, CO, include:
- Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base
- Peterson Space Force Base
- Air Force Academy
Meanwhile, the United States Army operates the Pueblo Chemical Depot Army Base outside Pueblo, Colorado.
Colorado BAH is provided monthly to service members.
It’s designed to make housing more affordable in a pricey state such as Colorado.
Colorado BAH rates vary depending on military rank and the number of dependents.
Colorado Springs is one of the most competitive housing markets in Colorado due to its large military presence.
While Pueblo offers a more affordable alternative, many service members stationed in the region may need to compare housing options carefully to stay within their BAH.
Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,160 | $1,689 |
| E-2 | $2,160 | $1,689 |
| E-3 | $2,160 | $1,689 |
| E-4 | $2,160 | $1,689 |
| E-5 | $2,358 | $1,860 |
| E-6 | $2,433 | $1,980 |
| E-7 | $2,487 | $2,166 |
| E-8 | $2,553 | $2,379 |
| E-9 | $2,646 | $2,388 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $2,448 | $2,103 |
| W-2 | $2,514 | $2,376 |
| W-3 | $2,583 | $2,394 |
| W-4 | $2,679 | $2,436 |
| W-5 | $2,778 | $2,502 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $2,355 | $1,959 |
| O-1E | $2,496 | $2,355 |
| O-2 | $2,418 | $2,295 |
| O-2E | $2,583 | $2,385 |
| O-3 | $2,595 | $2,397 |
| O-3E | $2,679 | $2,418 |
| O-4 | $2,778 | $2,484 |
| O-5 | $2,913 | $2,517 |
| O-6 | $2,934 | $2,574 |
| O-7 | $2,955 | $2,616 |
Learn more about the military installations in Colorado.
BAH For Aurora / Denver
Aurora – a suburb of Denver – features Buckley Air Force Base.
The military installment has been around since the late-1930s.
It’s currently utilized by the U.S. Space Force which is freshly created and currently considers Colorado Springs its temporary headquarters.
Buckley Space Force Base currently houses its Space Delta 4.
Additionally, the Colorado Air National Guard and Denver Naval Operations Support Center run operations out of Buckley AFB.
Denver and Aurora have some of the highest housing costs in Colorado.
Service members stationed at Buckley Space Force Base often find that housing expenses can exceed BAH in certain areas, leading many families to live in surrounding suburbs.
Colorado BAH for Aurora/Denver are as follows:
Colorado BAH: Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,556 | $1,938 |
| E-2 | $2,556 | $1,938 |
| E-3 | $2,556 | $1,938 |
| E-4 | $2,556 | $1,938 |
| E-5 | $2,841 | $2,148 |
| E-6 | $3,063 | $2,301 |
| E-7 | $3,114 | $2,568 |
| E-8 | $3,168 | $2,889 |
| E-9 | $3,267 | $2,946 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $3,081 | $2,463 |
| W-2 | $3,135 | $2,886 |
| W-3 | $3,210 | $2,958 |
| W-4 | $3,267 | $3,066 |
| W-5 | $3,372 | $3,126 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $2,841 | $2,268 |
| O-1E | $3,114 | $2,838 |
| O-2 | $3,054 | $2,748 |
| O-2E | $3,210 | $2,934 |
| O-3 | $3,210 | $2,979 |
| O-3E | $3,267 | $3,054 |
| O-4 | $3,372 | $3,108 |
| O-5 | $3,510 | $3,135 |
| O-6 | $3,561 | $3,186 |
| O-7 | $3,693 | $3,240 |
Related Article – Air Force Bases In Colorado
Is BAH Enough to Cover Housing in Colorado?
In some parts of Colorado, particularly in smaller cities like Pueblo, BAH may be enough to cover housing costs.
However, in higher-cost areas such as Denver and Colorado Springs, housing prices may exceed BAH depending on location and housing type.
Because of this, many military families choose to live in surrounding suburbs or less competitive housing markets.
- About the Author
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Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics.
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce. His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.