Military family housing costs: what this planner estimates
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is the anchor most military families use to set a housing budget during a PCS, but your real monthly housing outlay is usually more than rent alone. This planner totals common monthly housing expenses (rent plus recurring add-ons) and compares that total to the BAH amount you enter so you can see:
- Total estimated monthly housing cost (rent + recurring add-ons)
- BAH coverage (how much of that total BAH covers)
- Monthly gap (shortfall or surplus vs. BAH)
- Temporary lodging planning impact when you spread a one-time/short-term stay across a month (planning view)
Inputs and what they mean
Military details (context)
Some fields (branch, rank, dependency status, duty station) provide context for your move and may help you keep scenarios organized. This tool is primarily driven by the BAH amount you enter and your estimated expenses, because actual BAH depends on factors such as paygrade, dependency status, and location (often tied to ZIP code), and those official rates can change.
Housing and recurring monthly costs
The monthly housing total in this planner is built from the recurring items you enter. If a cost is already included in your rent (for example, water/trash), leave that line item at $0 so you don’t double-count.
- Estimated monthly rent: market rent for the specific neighborhood/home type you’re targeting
- Utilities: electricity, gas, water/sewer, trash, internet (seasonal in many locations)
- Renters insurance: if paid annually, divide your annual premium by 12 for a monthly estimate
- Parking fees: reserved parking, garage, permits
- Pet fees/pet rent: recurring monthly pet rent (not a one-time deposit)
- Other recurring maintenance/HOA-like costs: only if you actually pay it monthly
Temporary lodging (planning estimate)
If you expect a hotel or short-term rental during a PCS, you can estimate its impact by entering:
- Temporary housing days
- Daily rate
This tool can convert that short-term cost into a monthly planning equivalent (for example, spreading 30 days of lodging across a month). This is useful for budgeting cash flow, but it is not the same thing as an official reimbursement calculation.
Formulas used
The planner compares your entered BAH to your estimated monthly housing spend.
1) Total estimated monthly housing cost
TotalMonthlyCost is the sum of the recurring monthly items you enter:
2) Monthly gap (shortfall or surplus)
Gap compares your total cost to your BAH:
Gap = TotalMonthlyCost − BAH
- If Gap > 0, you have an estimated shortfall you’ll cover from base pay/other income.
- If Gap < 0, you have an estimated surplus (BAH exceeds these housing costs).
3) BAH coverage percentage
Coverage% shows how much of your monthly housing cost is covered by BAH:
Coverage% = (BAH ÷ TotalMonthlyCost) × 100
How to interpret results (practical guidance)
Understanding the gap
A positive monthly gap does not automatically mean the home is “unaffordable,” but it does mean housing will draw from other income. When you’re comparing options, the gap is often the clearest apples-to-apples metric.
A negative gap (surplus) can disappear in practice if you encounter costs not modeled here (commute, higher seasonal utilities, higher move-in fees, furnishing, or repairs). Treat a surplus as a buffer, not a guarantee.
Understanding coverage %
- 95–105%: BAH roughly matches your estimated recurring housing costs.
- 80–95%: expect noticeable pressure on monthly cash flow unless other costs are low.
- < 80%: consider adjusting rent target, location, bedrooms, or expectations (or plan for higher out-of-pocket).
Worked example
Scenario: E-5 with dependents plans a move to San Diego and enters BAH of $2,500/month. They estimate:
- Rent: $2,800
- Utilities: $150
- Renters insurance: $15
- Parking: $0
- Pet fees: $0
- Other recurring: $0
TotalMonthlyCost = 2,800 + 150 + 15 = $2,965
Gap = 2,965 − 2,500 = $465 shortfall
Coverage% = 2,500 ÷ 2,965 × 100 ≈ 84.3%
Interpretation: This plan suggests budgeting about $465/month beyond BAH for recurring housing costs. If you also expect higher summer electricity bills or paid parking, the effective gap could increase.
Comparison table: common scenarios
Use the table below as a quick mental model for how tradeoffs affect the gap. (Numbers are illustrative; your inputs drive the actual results.)
| Scenario |
Rent |
Recurring add-ons |
Total monthly cost |
BAH |
Gap |
| Lower rent, higher utilities |
$2,500 |
$350 |
$2,850 |
$2,500 |
+$350 |
| Higher rent, low add-ons |
$2,800 |
$165 |
$2,965 |
$2,500 |
+$465 |
| BAH exceeds costs (buffer) |
$2,200 |
$200 |
$2,400 |
$2,500 |
−$100 |
Limitations and assumptions (important)
- BAH is location- and status-specific: official BAH varies by location (often ZIP code), paygrade, and dependency status, and can change over time. Always verify your BAH with official sources and/or your LES.
- User-entered estimates: rent and utility estimates drive the output. If your inputs are optimistic, the planner will underestimate your gap.
- On-base/PPV housing differs: some on-base or privatized housing arrangements may effectively capture most or all BAH and can bundle utilities differently. The “gap” may not map 1:1 to how money flows in those cases.
- Utilities are seasonal: heating/cooling and local rates can swing costs month to month. Consider stress-testing with a higher-utility month.
- Temporary lodging is a planning view: this tool is not calculating entitlements or reimbursements and does not replace official travel/PCS guidance.
- Not included unless you add them: one-time move-in costs (security deposits, application fees), furnishings, commuting, and childcare are not part of the recurring monthly housing total unless you model them as “other recurring.”
- Not financial advice: results are estimates for planning and comparison purposes.
References (official resources)
Calculate realistic housing costs during military relocation and plan for BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) shortfalls
