2026 Hampton Roads BAH Calculator
Official Norfolk MHA (ZIP 23511) Basic Allowance for Housing rates for 2026, broken down by paygrade with and without dependents. Plus the max home price each rate supports on a 30-year VA loan at current rates.
BAH in Hampton Roads is paid based on the Norfolk Military Housing Area (MHA), code IZ325. It applies to all 10 installations in the region: Naval Station Norfolk, NAS Oceana, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Langley AFB / JBLE-Eustis, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, NSA Hampton Roads, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, and Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation.
The table below pairs each rate with a max home price assuming a 0% down VA loan, current rates, and a comfortable debt-to-income ratio. Use these as a ceiling, not a target. Most NSN sailors I work with land 10-15% below their max for breathing room.
2026 BAH by Paygrade â Norfolk MHA
Monthly housing allowance and the home purchase price each rate comfortably supports.
| Paygrade | With dependents | Without dependents | Max home price (with deps) | Max home price (no deps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 to E-4 | $1,899/mo | $1,626/mo | $305,000 | $260,000 |
| E-5 | $2,430/mo | $1,782/mo | $389,000 | $285,000 |
| E-6 | $2,559/mo | $1,944/mo | $410,000 | $312,000 |
| E-7 | $2,415/mo | $2,079/mo | $387,000 | $333,000 |
| E-8 | $2,553/mo | $2,244/mo | $409,000 | $360,000 |
| E-9 | $2,703/mo | $2,394/mo | $433,000 | $384,000 |
| W-1 / O-1 | $2,241/mo | $1,962/mo | $359,000 | $314,000 |
| W-2 / O-2 | $2,433/mo | $2,106/mo | $390,000 | $337,000 |
| W-3 / O-3 | $2,694/mo | $2,310/mo | $432,000 | $370,000 |
| W-4 / O-4 | $3,054/mo | $2,538/mo | $489,000 | $407,000 |
| W-5 / O-5 | $3,318/mo | $2,649/mo | $531,000 | $425,000 |
| O-6 | $3,030/mo | $2,724/mo | $485,000 | $437,000 |
Max home price assumes 30-year fixed VA loan, current 2026 rates, no other debt, taxes and insurance included in payment, and BAH covering 100% of PITI. Actual approval depends on credit, total debt, and lender overlays.
Source: 2026 Norfolk Military Housing Area (MHA Code IZ325). Verified rates: E-5, E-6, O-3, O-4, O-5 with dependents. Other paygrades reflect estimates pending DTMO confirmation. Verify your exact rate at DTMO.
How to Use This Number
1. Treat it as a ceiling, not a target
Buying at your max BAH leaves zero margin if rates spike, HOA increases, or you want to refi. Most sailors I close with target 85-90% of max.
2. Add property tax + insurance into the math
Hampton Roads property tax rates run 0.97% (Virginia Beach) to 1.25% (Norfolk effective rate) depending on city. Homeowners insurance averages $1,400-$2,200/year. Flood insurance adds $0-$2,400/year depending on zone.
Source: City tax assessor offices, 2025. Hampton Roads property tax comparison.
3. Pre-approval beats pre-qualification
A pre-qual is a back-of-the-napkin estimate. A pre-approval has your credit pulled, income verified, and gives you a real ceiling. Sellers in Hampton Roads will not entertain a pre-qual offer.
4. BAH ends if you separate or PCS without orders
Plan your purchase against the timeline of your enlistment or commission, not just your current orders. If you might EAS in 2 years, factor that in.
Want a real pre-approval?
I work with three Hampton Roads VA-specialist lenders. I will route you to the best fit based on credit and timeline.