The Department of War (DoD) has released the new 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates. Nationwide, BAH reflects a slight shift, but some locales — including San Antonio — saw rate adjustments that vary by pay grade and dependent status. BAH is structured to cover roughly 95 % of median local housing costs, with the service member covering the ~5 % cost share out of pocket each month.

Importantly, if your BAH rate drops year-to-year, the DoD’s rate protection (“grandfathering”) means ongoing members typically retain their higher existing rate as long as eligibility is continuous.

• 2025 → 2026 San Antonio BAH — Enlisted & Officers

  Enlisted (E-3 through E-7)

  Pay Grade	2025 With Dep	2026 With Dep	% Change	2025 W/o Dep	2026 W/o Dep	% Change
  E-3	$1,791	$1,728	-3.52%	$1,344	$1,359	+1.12%
  E-4	$1,791	$1,728	-3.52%	$1,344	$1,359	+1.12%
  E-5	$1,935	$1,869	-3.41%	$1,530	$1,500	-1.96%
  E-6	$2,154	$2,094	-2.79%	$1,656	$1,596	-3.62%
  E-7	$2,172	$2,112	-2.76%	$1,794	$1,731	-3.51%

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  Officers (O-2 through O-6)

  Pay Grade	2025 With Dep	2026 With Dep	% Change	2025 W/o Dep	2026 W/o Dep	% Change
  O-2	$2,151	$2,091	-2.79%	$1,890	$1,827	-3.33%
  O-3	$2,187	$2,127	-2.74%	$2,070	$2,007	-3.04%
  O-4	$2,340	$2,307	-1.41%	$2,148	$2,088	-2.80%
  O-5	$2,466	$2,457	-0.36%	$2,160	$2,100	-2.78%
  O-6	$2,487	$2,475	-0.48%	$2,163	$2,103	-2.77%

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  What Can Your BAH Actually Buy in San Antonio?

  Here’s a simple way to estimate your homebuying power when you pair BAH with a VA loan:
  
  

  🏡 Example: $250,000 Home

  • 0 % down VA loan
    
    
  • 6 % interest 
    
    
  • $140,000 homestead exemption (means you reduce the taxable amount of the house by $140k)
    
    
  • ~2.4 % property tax (avg for SATX, but some areas are as low as 1.8%)
    
    
  • $1,500 annual homeowner’s insurance (avg we are seeing with homes with roofs newer than 8 years)
    
    
  ➡️ Estimated monthly payment: ~$1,900
  
  ✔ Many enlisted members (E-3 through E-6) with BAH alone can cover this comfortably.
  ✔ All officers (O-2+) typically cover this with BAH.
  ✔ Excellent choice for newer families or first-time homebuyers.
  
  

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  🏠 Example: $350,000 Home

  Same loan assumptions above.
  
  ➡️ Estimated monthly payment: ~$2,700
  
  ✔ Ideal for larger families or those seeking more space.
  ✔ Covers most BAH for E-7 with dependents and all officers with dependents — especially O-3 and up.
  ✔ A strong option for long-term homeownership vs. renting.
  
  
  

  💬 Summary of BAH Rates for 2026 for Joint Base San Antonio

  • 2026 BAH rates for San Antonio show some modest decreases vs. 2025 in most pay grades — especially for enlisted members with dependents.
    
    
  • Officers saw smaller downward adjustments, but overall BAH continues to remain strong relative to local housing costs.
    
    
  • When combined with VA financing, many service members can comfortably cover monthly mortgage payments — even for homes up to ~$350k.
    
    
  
  
  

Browse VA-Loan Friendly Homes in San Antonio ($200k–$350k)

Homes that meet the most common PCS needs: 3+ bedrooms, 2+ baths, 1+ garage, single-family only, VA-eligible, in the San Antonio metro area:  👉 Click here to browse curated VA-friendly homes