Fort Hood BAH-to-Home Calculator
See exactly how much home your 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing buys near Fort Hood. Compare Killeen, Harker Heights, Belton & Temple side by side with real VA loan terms.
Updated July 2026 for 2026 BAH rates • VA 30-year fixed • 0% down • No PMI
What is the 2026 Fort Hood BAH rate?
For 2026, Fort Hood BAH rates vary by pay grade and dependency status. Common with-dependent rates are E-5: $1,695/month, E-6: $1,920/month, E-7: $2,070/month, and O-3: $2,340/month. These rates apply to the Fort Hood / Killeen, Texas housing market area and should be verified against the official DoD BAH lookup before locking a purchase budget.
In plain English: Fort Hood BAH can cover part or all of a VA mortgage payment, but Texas property taxes are the swing factor. The same BAH usually buys slightly more home in lower-tax areas like Belton than in higher-tax parts of Killeen or Temple.
- E-5 (SGT), with dependents: $1,695/mo → roughly $198K–$204K depending on city tax rate
- O-3 (CPT), with dependents: $2,340/mo → roughly $273K–$282K depending on city tax rate
- VA benefit: 0% down and $0 PMI — your full BAH works toward principal, interest, taxes, and insurance
- Lowest modeled tax: Belton (~2.10%) shows the highest estimated buying power in this model
- Verify your exact rate at the official DoD BAH Rate Lookup before setting a budget
Showing results for
E5 — Sergeant (SGT)w/ dependents
Killeen
Harker Heights
Belton
Temple
VA Loan Assumptions
Down Payment
0% (VA benefit)
PMI
$0 (VA benefit)
Loan Term
30-year fixed
Homeowner’s Ins.
0.85% annually
Calculations are estimates. Actual rates, taxes, and insurance may vary. VA funding fee not included. Consult a lender for exact figures.
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Belton / Morgan's Point Resort — lowest modeled tax rate in this calculator (~2.10%). The same E-5 BAH stretches about $6K further here than in Killeen.
How much house can Fort Hood BAH buy in 2026?
Using a 30-year VA loan at 5.75% (as of July 2026 — rates move weekly), 0% down, no PMI, 0.85% annual insurance, and estimated local property tax rates, these are approximate Fort Hood BAH buying-power ranges:
| Rank | 2026 BAH w/ Dependents | Killeen | Harker Heights | Belton | Temple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-5Updated July 2026 · DoD 2026 BAH | $1,695/mo | ~$198K | ~$202K | ~$204K | ~$198K |
| E-6Updated July 2026 · DoD 2026 BAH | $1,920/mo | ~$224K | ~$229K | ~$231K | ~$225K |
| E-7Updated July 2026 · DoD 2026 BAH | $2,070/mo | ~$242K | ~$247K | ~$250K | ~$242K |
| O-3Updated July 2026 · DoD 2026 BAH | $2,340/mo | ~$273K | ~$279K | ~$282K | ~$274K |
Estimates exclude VA funding fee and lender-specific qualification rules. Interest rates, insurance, taxes, and exemptions can materially change these numbers. Tax rates modeled: Killeen ~2.42%, Harker Heights ~2.21%, Belton ~2.10%, Temple ~2.40% (annual city + county + school district). Verify your exact BAH at the DoD BAH Rate Lookup.
What are the 2026 Fort Hood BAH rates? (Full table, every pay grade)
At Fort Hood (formerly Fort Cavazos), 2026 BAH runs from $1,374/month for an E-1 without dependents to $2,787/month for an O-7 with dependents. Rates are set for the Killeen, TX Military Housing Area, took effect January 1, 2026, and are the same whether you live in Killeen, Harker Heights, Belton, Temple, or Copperas Cove — which is exactly why the city you pick decides how far your BAH goes.
| Pay Grade | Rank | 2026 BAH w/ Dependents | 2026 BAH w/o Dependents |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private (PV1) | $1,662/mo | $1,374/mo |
| E-2 | Private (PV2) | $1,662/mo | $1,374/mo |
| E-3 | Private First Class (PFC) | $1,662/mo | $1,374/mo |
| E-4 | Specialist / Corporal (SPC/CPL) | $1,662/mo | $1,374/mo |
| E-5 | Sergeant (SGT) | $1,695/mo | $1,530/mo |
| E-6 | Staff Sergeant (SSG) | $1,920/mo | $1,626/mo |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class (SFC) | $2,070/mo | $1,668/mo |
| E-8 | Master Sergeant / 1SG (MSG/1SG) | $2,238/mo | $1,746/mo |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major / CSM (SGM/CSM) | $2,409/mo | $1,806/mo |
| W-1 | Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) | $1,938/mo | $1,665/mo |
| W-2 | Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) | $2,139/mo | $1,743/mo |
| W-3 | Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) | $2,346/mo | $1,812/mo |
| W-4 | Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) | $2,433/mo | $1,950/mo |
| W-5 | Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5) | $2,544/mo | $2,109/mo |
| O-1E | 2LT, Prior Enlisted (2LT) | $2,100/mo | $1,692/mo |
| O-2E | 1LT, Prior Enlisted (1LT) | $2,313/mo | $1,788/mo |
| O-3E | CPT, Prior Enlisted (CPT) | $2,451/mo | $1,908/mo |
| O-1 | Second Lieutenant (2LT) | $1,731/mo | $1,623/mo |
| O-2 | First Lieutenant (1LT) | $1,917/mo | $1,689/mo |
| O-3 | Captain (CPT) | $2,340/mo | $1,833/mo |
| O-4 | Major (MAJ) | $2,577/mo | $2,076/mo |
| O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) | $2,748/mo | $2,169/mo |
| O-6 | Colonel (COL) | $2,769/mo | $2,325/mo |
| O-7 | Brigadier General (BG) | $2,787/mo | $2,361/mo |
Updated July 2026 · DoD 2026 BAH rates, Killeen TX Military Housing Area. BAH changes every January — verify your exact rate at the official DoD BAH rate lookup (travel.dod.mil) before making a housing decision.
Is Killeen BAH the same as Fort Hood BAH?
Yes — one Military Housing Area (Killeen, TX — MHA TX286) covers Fort Hood, Killeen, Harker Heights, Belton, Temple, and Copperas Cove; every rate in this table is your Killeen BAH.
Plug your grade into the calculator above to turn these numbers into a max purchase price, or jump to off-post housing options, where to live around Fort Hood, or the buy-vs-rent PCS calculator.
Fort Hood BAH Calculator FAQ
Does Fort Hood BAH cover a mortgage in Temple or Belton?
Sometimes. For many E-5 to E-7 buyers, Fort Hood BAH may cover a modest VA mortgage payment, but the final answer depends on property taxes, insurance, interest rate, and whether you are using disability tax exemptions.
Which city gives Fort Hood buyers the most BAH buying power?
In this calculator, Belton often shows the highest estimated buying power because of its lower modeled property tax rate. Killeen and Temple may still make sense depending on commute, schools, inventory, and price point.
How much house can I afford with my BAH at Fort Hood?
The amount depends on your pay grade and dependency status. For example, an E-5 Sergeant with dependents receives $1,695/month in BAH for 2026. Using a VA loan with 0% down, no PMI, and a 30-year fixed rate, that BAH supports roughly $198K–$204K in home price across the Fort Hood-area cities, before VA funding fee and lender qualification rules.
Can I buy near Fort Hood with zero down?
Eligible VA buyers can often buy with 0% down and no PMI. That does not mean zero cash required, because closing costs, inspections, appraisal gaps, funding fees, and reserves may still apply.
How do property taxes affect my BAH home buying power in Texas?
Texas has no state income tax but relies on property taxes, which vary by city and school district. Higher tax rates reduce the home price your BAH can cover because more of your monthly payment goes to taxes. This calculator factors in approximate annual tax totals including city, county, and school district levies for each area near Fort Hood.
Where should I verify my official BAH rate?
Verify your exact rate using the official DoD BAH lookup before making a purchase decision: DoD BAH Rate Lookup.
What should I use after this calculator?
Use the calculator to set a starting budget, then compare real homes by commute, tax rate, school district, resale risk, and PCS timeline. Helpful next pages: Military Relocation to Temple TX, Fort Hood Off-Post Housing, and Military Buy vs Rent PCS Calculator.
Keep going on your Fort Hood move
Military Relocation to Temple TX
The full PCS-to-Central-Texas playbook: timelines, neighborhoods, and VA loan tactics.
Fort Hood Off-Post Housing
Where to live off post by commute, school district, and price band.
Military Buy vs Rent PCS Calculator
Run the buy-versus-rent math against your PCS timeline before you commit.
Baylor Scott & White Relocation
Relocating for a medical role near Temple? Start with the BSW guide.
Temple-Area Neighborhoods
Compare Temple, Belton, Killeen, and Harker Heights neighborhoods side by side.
Home Valuation
Already own near Fort Hood? Get a data-backed value before your next move.
Free Fort Hood PCS Plan
Want the BAH math translated into neighborhoods?
Send your rank, report date, and school or commute priorities. Taylor will send back a short PCS housing plan with Temple, Belton, Killeen, and Harker Heights tradeoffs.