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Beale AFB BAH 2026: Housing Allowance Rates and What They Buy in the Foothills
In 2026, BAH at Beale Air Force Base (Military Housing Area CA033) is $2,967 a month for an E-5 with dependents and $2,367 without. BAH is set by your duty station ZIP code, pay grade and dependency status, not by where you live, so you receive the Beale rate whether you live on base, in Penn Valley or in Grass Valley.
2026 BAH rates at Beale AFB
Monthly rates for Military Housing Area CA033 (Beale AFB, CA), effective January 1, 2026, from the Defense Travel Management Office rate lookup.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-4 | $2,733 | $2,133 |
| E-5 | $2,967 | $2,367 |
| E-6 | $3,132 | $2,523 |
| E-7 | $3,150 | $2,742 |
| O-1 | $2,994 | $2,496 |
| O-3 | $3,165 | $3,066 |
Grass Valley’s ZIP code 95945 also falls in Military Housing Area CA033. Check your exact grade on the official lookup before making decisions.
Beale’s rates dipped slightly for 2026
DoD announced an average BAH increase of 4.2% nationwide for 2026, but local rates move with local rents. At Beale, the E-5 with-dependents rate went from $2,988 in 2025 to $2,967 in 2026. Members already assigned to Beale are covered by BAH rate protection, which keeps them from losing money when a local rate drops, as long as their status doesn’t change.
How BAH fits a home purchase
BAH is not a mortgage program, but lenders can count it as income. For VA buyers, that makes it part of qualifying for the payment, alongside base pay and other income. A few practical points:
- Your commute matters more than your ZIP. BAH doesn’t change based on where you live, so the tradeoff is drive time versus the home you get. Penn Valley and Lake Wildwood are among the closer foothill options; Grass Valley and Alta Sierra add drive time but more services.
- Budget beyond the loan. Foothill homes often carry wildfire insurance costs, well and septic upkeep, and propane or wood heat. Price those in, not just principal and interest.
- Think about the next PCS. Many service members keep the home as a rental when orders come. Buying something that would rent well gives you options.
Next steps if you have orders to Beale
- Confirm your BAH on the DTMO lookup using ZIP code 95903 and your pay grade.
- Get a VA loan preapproval that shows how your BAH is counted.
- Decide on your maximum commute, then look at homes within it.
Frequently asked questions
What is BAH at Beale AFB in 2026?
For Military Housing Area CA033, the 2026 rate for an E-5 is $2,967 a month with dependents and $2,367 without. Other grades are on the DTMO BAH lookup.
Do I get a different BAH if I live in Grass Valley instead of near Beale?
No. BAH is based on your permanent duty station ZIP code, pay grade and dependency status, not where you choose to live.
Did Beale BAH go down in 2026?
Slightly for some grades. For example, E-5 with dependents went from $2,988 in 2025 to $2,967 in 2026. Rate protection generally keeps members already assigned there from receiving less.
Can BAH be used to qualify for a VA loan?
Lenders can count BAH as income when qualifying a service member for a mortgage. Ask your lender how it will be documented.
Sources
- Defense Travel Management Office: BAH Rate Lookup
- Air Education and Training Command: 2026 BAH rates released
Information current as of September 16, 2026. General information only, not legal, tax or lending advice.
