Florida BAH Rates For 2026

Florida is one of the most popular duty station locations in the United States thanks to its warm climate, coastal cities, and large number of military installations.

However, the cost of housing varies significantly across the state. Cities like Miami and Tampa have much higher housing costs than areas in the Florida Panhandle.

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is designed to help offset those costs by providing service members with a monthly housing stipend based on duty location, rank, and dependent status.

On this page, you’ll find the current Florida BAH rates for major military housing areas, including Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Pensacola, and more.

We also explain which military bases are located in each region and how local housing markets compare to the BAH rates assigned to those locations.

You can also use our BAH calculator below to estimate your monthly housing allowance based on rank and duty station.

Florida Housing Costs vs BAH

Housing costs in Florida can vary widely depending on the duty station.

For example:

• Miami and South Florida tend to have some of the highest rental prices in the state.
• Tampa Bay and Orlando fall somewhere in the middle, with a wide range of housing options depending on the neighborhood.
• Pensacola and the Florida Panhandle are generally more affordable compared to the southern part of the state.

Because of these differences, BAH rates in Florida vary significantly depending on location. Service members stationed in higher-cost metro areas typically receive higher housing allowances to help offset rent or mortgage payments.

However, many military families still choose to live slightly outside major city centers in order to stretch their BAH further.

Major Military Bases in Florida

Florida is home to one of the largest military populations in the United States.

Some of the most important installations in the state include:

• Naval Air Station Jacksonville
• Naval Station Mayport
• MacDill Air Force Base
• Eglin Air Force Base
• Hurlburt Field
• Naval Air Station Pensacola
• Patrick Space Force Base
• Tyndall Air Force Base

These bases support operations across the Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.

Because Florida hosts so many installations, BAH rates are calculated for several different housing areas across the state.

BAH For Jacksonville

Jacksonville tends to be one of the more affordable major cities in Florida for military families.

Housing prices are generally lower than Miami or Tampa, and the large geographic area provides many suburban neighborhoods within commuting distance of Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport.

Jacksonville is home to several notable military ports and installations.

The military bases (along with nearby Naval Submarine Base Kings) represent the 3rd largest military presence in the United States:

• USMC Blount Island Command
• NAS Jacksonville Base
• Naval Station Mayport
• Army Corps of Engineers
• Naval Submarine Base – Kings Bay

*NOTE: Florida BAH rates are posted based on monthly payments. Multiply by 12 to calculate yearly Florida BAH payments.

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,046	$1,623
E-2	$2,046	$1,623
E-3	$2,046	$1,623
E-4	$2,046	$1,623
E-5	$2,181	$1,803
E-6	$2,241	$1,920
E-7	$2,283	$2,049
E-8	$2,331	$2,199
E-9	$2,424	$2,205

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,256	$2,010
W-2	$2,301	$2,196
W-3	$2,367	$2,208
W-4	$2,445	$2,241
W-5	$2,550	$2,292

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,289	$2,178
O-2E	$2,355	$2,202
O-3E	$2,463	$2,229
O-1	$2,196	$1,908
O-2	$2,238	$2,139
O-3	$2,364	$2,211
O-4	$2,580	$2,277
O-5	$2,736	$2,301
O-6	$2,757	$2,343
O-7	$2,775	$2,382

BAH For Miami

Miami is one of the most expensive housing markets in Florida.

Rental prices and home values are significantly higher than the national average, which is why BAH rates for the region tend to be among the highest in the state.

Florida BAH rates cover housing for the following military installations in Miami:

• Homestead Air Reserve Base
• USCG District 7 Base
• NAS Key West Base
• AUTEC Complex Navy Base
• U.S. Army Garrison – Miami

Search military bases and installations in Florida.

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$3,459	$2,661
E-2	$3,459	$2,661
E-3	$3,459	$2,661
E-4	$3,459	$2,661
E-5	$3,660	$3,048
E-6	$3,792	$3,273
E-7	$4,026	$3,465
E-8	$4,281	$3,693
E-9	$4,656	$3,720

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$3,813	$3,399
W-2	$4,131	$3,690
W-3	$4,446	$3,729
W-4	$4,737	$3,840
W-5	$5,085	$4,083

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$4,074	$3,657
O-2E	$4,398	$3,714
O-3E	$4,791	$3,780
O-1	$3,687	$3,252
O-2	$3,789	$3,597
O-3	$4,437	$3,738
O-4	$5,208	$4,041
O-5	$5,763	$4,323
O-6	$5,814	$4,425
O-7	$5,862	$4,506

BAH For Tampa / St. Pete

Tampa offers a wide variety of housing options for military families stationed at MacDill Air Force Base.

While some neighborhoods near downtown Tampa can be expensive, many service members choose to live in nearby suburbs like Brandon, Riverview, or Valrico where housing costs are more manageable.

Today, the Tampa / St. Pete area is home to the following military bases:

• MacDill Air Force Base
• USCG Air Station Clearwater

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,520	$1,932
E-2	$2,520	$1,932
E-3	$2,520	$1,932
E-4	$2,520	$1,932
E-5	$2,709	$2,187
E-6	$3,042	$2,346
E-7	$3,066	$2,526
E-8	$3,075	$2,781
E-9	$3,123	$2,874

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$3,063	$2,463
W-2	$3,072	$2,778
W-3	$3,084	$2,886
W-4	$3,141	$3,039
W-5	$3,231	$3,054

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$3,069	$2,706
O-2E	$3,078	$2,853
O-3E	$3,156	$3,036
O-1	$2,757	$2,328
O-2	$3,039	$2,649
O-3	$3,081	$2,919
O-4	$3,255	$3,042
O-5	$3,390	$3,057
O-6	$3,417	$3,060
O-7	$3,441	$3,102

BAH For Orlando

Although Orlando is primarily known as a tourist destination, it also has a growing housing market.

Rental prices have increased in recent years due to population growth and tourism-driven development.

Orlando is also home to a major hospital for the United States Navy:

• Naval Air Warfare Center
• Naval Hospital – Jacksonville

U.S. News ranks the best military hospitals in Florida.

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,454	$1,842
E-2	$2,454	$1,842
E-3	$2,454	$1,842
E-4	$2,454	$1,842
E-5	$2,658	$2,103
E-6	$2,961	$2,268
E-7	$2,982	$2,460
E-8	$2,991	$2,724
E-9	$3,018	$2,808

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,979	$2,394
W-2	$2,988	$2,721
W-3	$3,000	$2,820
W-4	$3,033	$2,955
W-5	$3,114	$2,967

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,985	$2,655
O-2E	$2,994	$2,787
O-3E	$3,045	$2,952
O-1	$2,700	$2,247
O-2	$2,958	$2,592
O-3	$2,997	$2,847
O-4	$3,135	$2,958
O-5	$3,255	$2,970
O-6	$3,282	$2,973
O-7	$3,303	$3,000

BAH For Pensacola

Pensacola is generally considered one of the more affordable military housing markets in Florida.

The lower cost of living combined with a strong military presence makes it a popular duty station for many service members and their families.

It’s a true military town with several Navy and Air Force bases:

• Eglin Air Force Base
• Hurlburt Field AFB
• Naval Air Station – Corry Station
• NAS Pensacola Navy Base
• NAS Whiting Field

Explore some of the historic military landmarks in Pensacola, FL.

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,794	$1,521
E-2	$1,794	$1,521
E-3	$1,794	$1,521
E-4	$1,794	$1,521
E-5	$1,863	$1,644
E-6	$2,235	$1,722
E-7	$2,256	$1,791
E-8	$2,265	$1,941
E-9	$2,304	$2,046

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,253	$1,782
W-2	$2,262	$1,938
W-3	$2,274	$2,061
W-4	$2,325	$2,229
W-5	$2,427	$2,241

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,259	$1,860
O-2E	$2,268	$2,022
O-3E	$2,340	$2,226
O-1	$1,914	$1,719
O-2	$2,232	$1,842
O-3	$2,271	$2,097
O-4	$2,457	$2,232
O-5	$2,610	$2,244
O-6	$2,631	$2,247
O-7	$2,646	$2,259

BAH For Tyndall AFB

Tyndall Air Force Base is located just outside Panama City, Florida.

The region has a long history of conflict dating back to clashes with the British and Spanish.

Tyndall AFB was established shortly before the creation of the United States Air Force in 1947.

Today, its the base operating unit and host wing for the 325th Fighter Wing (325 FW) of the Air Combat Command (ACC).

Panama City is also home to a Navy Base under the command of the NSA:

• Tyndall AFB – Panama City
• NSA Panama City Navy Base

Learn more about the history of Tyndall AFB.

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,058	$1,713
E-2	$2,058	$1,713
E-3	$2,058	$1,713
E-4	$2,058	$1,713
E-5	$2,163	$1,863
E-6	$2,442	$1,959
E-7	$2,538	$2,058
E-8	$2,643	$2,223
E-9	$2,766	$2,298

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,460	$2,037
W-2	$2,580	$2,220
W-3	$2,712	$2,310
W-4	$2,787	$2,460
W-5	$2,886	$2,562

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,556	$2,160
O-2E	$2,691	$2,280
O-3E	$2,802	$2,433
O-1	$2,202	$1,953
O-2	$2,439	$2,133
O-3	$2,709	$2,337
O-4	$2,913	$2,538
O-5	$3,060	$2,595
O-6	$3,084	$2,691
O-7	$3,105	$2,736

BAH For Tallahassee

Tallahassee – the capital of Florida – is the largest city in the Panhandle.

The college town is also home to highly ranked public institutions like Florida State University and Florida A&M University.

It’s also a little of an oasis outside the hustle and bustle of the larger metropolises in the state.

While there are no military bases directly in Tallahassee, it’s a reasonable drive to installations in Panama City.

Here are the Florida BAH rates for Tallahassee, FL:

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,779	$1,443
E-2	$1,779	$1,443
E-3	$1,779	$1,443
E-4	$1,779	$1,443
E-5	$1,824	$1,626
E-6	$2,061	$1,734
E-7	$2,250	$1,782
E-8	$2,454	$1,878
E-9	$2,670	$2,004

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Warrant	Without Warrant
W-1	$2,082	$1,779
W-2	$2,334	$1,875
W-3	$2,586	$2,007
W-4	$2,700	$2,100
W-5	$2,838	$2,295

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,286	$1,821
O-2E	$2,550	$1,926
O-3E	$2,721	$2,052
O-1	$1,860	$1,731
O-2	$2,058	$1,815
O-3	$2,580	$2,010
O-4	$2,883	$2,259
O-5	$3,099	$2,376
O-6	$3,123	$2,565
O-7	$3,144	$2,610

BAH For Gainesville

Gainesville is another college town home to the University of Florida.

Furthermore, it’s the headquarters for Camp Blanding of the United States Army.

Camp Blanding was established in 1824 and has a rich history and tradition.

Today, its primarily utilized as training grounds for the Florida Army National Guard and Air National Guard.

Camp Blanding also serves as a training center for many ROTC units in the U.S. Army and Navy.

Hera are the Florida BAH rates for Gainesville, FL:

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,986	$1,572
E-2	$1,986	$1,572
E-3	$1,986	$1,572
E-4	$1,986	$1,572
E-5	$2,040	$1,800
E-6	$2,355	$1,932
E-7	$2,478	$1,983
E-8	$2,613	$2,109
E-9	$2,793	$2,196

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,373	$1,980
W-2	$2,532	$2,106
W-3	$2,700	$2,208
W-4	$2,826	$2,379
W-5	$2,982	$2,508

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,502	$2,037
O-2E	$2,676	$2,175
O-3E	$2,850	$2,346
O-1	$2,085	$1,929
O-2	$2,352	$2,025
O-3	$2,697	$2,238
O-4	$3,033	$2,481
O-5	$3,276	$2,556
O-6	$3,300	$2,679
O-7	$3,324	$2,724

BAH For Melbourne

Military families that are not huge fans of big cities can appreciate the small-town charm of Melbourne, Florida.

The city exists approximately an hour southeast of Orlando along the Atlantic Coast.

The harbor of Melbourne is directly opposite Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach.

It’s also home to Patrick Air Force Base which was recently converted into a Space Force installation.

Patrick AFB has a long history starting with the U.S. Navy before getting transferred to the Air Force and, later, Space Force.

It plans to serve as a major installation for the new military branch that was created by former President Trump in 2020.

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,325	$1,845
E-2	$2,325	$1,845
E-3	$2,325	$1,845
E-4	$2,325	$1,845
E-5	$2,502	$2,037
E-6	$2,883	$2,163
E-7	$2,907	$2,331
E-8	$2,916	$2,583
E-9	$2,955	$2,691

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,904	$2,274
W-2	$2,913	$2,580
W-3	$2,925	$2,706
W-4	$2,976	$2,880
W-5	$3,081	$2,889

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,910	$2,499
O-2E	$2,919	$2,667
O-3E	$2,991	$2,877
O-1	$2,553	$2,148
O-2	$2,880	$2,445
O-3	$2,922	$2,742
O-4	$3,108	$2,883
O-5	$3,267	$2,892
O-6	$3,294	$2,910
O-7	$3,318	$2,952

BAH For Fort Myers

Fort Myers is another smaller community (population 62,300) south of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metroplex.

It’s a major tourist destination along the Gulf Coast as previous residents include Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

Fort Myers was named after a military fort that was erected during the Seminole Wars.

It was also a significant player during the U.S. Civil War for the Confederate Army.

Today, Ft. Myers is a wonderful place to reside for military families even if nearby bases are a bit of a drive.

Florida BAH rates for Fort Myers, FL are:

Enlisted

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,553	$2,094
E-2	$2,553	$2,094
E-3	$2,553	$2,094
E-4	$2,553	$2,094
E-5	$2,694	$2,295
E-6	$2,919	$2,421
E-7	$2,994	$2,556
E-8	$3,078	$2,745
E-9	$3,192	$2,802

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,937	$2,514
W-2	$3,027	$2,742
W-3	$3,132	$2,814
W-4	$3,213	$2,931
W-5	$3,315	$3,012

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$3,006	$2,691
O-2E	$3,114	$2,790
O-3E	$3,228	$2,910
O-1	$2,730	$2,406
O-2	$2,916	$2,652
O-3	$3,129	$2,835
O-4	$3,345	$2,991
O-5	$3,504	$3,036
O-6	$3,531	$3,111
O-7	$3,555	$3,165

Is BAH Enough to Cover Rent in Florida?

Whether BAH fully covers housing costs in Florida depends largely on the duty station and housing choices.

In lower-cost areas like Pensacola or Tallahassee, many service members find that their BAH comfortably covers rent or mortgage payments.

However, in more expensive cities like Miami or Tampa, housing costs may exceed the monthly allowance depending on the neighborhood and size of the home.

Because of this, many military families compare housing options carefully before choosing where to live.

See Also

Army Bases In Florida

Military Schools In Florida

Air Force Bases In Florida