PCSing to Holloman: BAH Rates and Your Housing Budget
Published 2 November 2026
If you are PCSing to Holloman AFB in 2026, your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is set for the Holloman AFB/Alamogordo military housing area. An E-5 with dependents gets $1,590 a month and an E-5 without dependents gets $1,197, while an O-3 with dependents gets $1,905. Your own number depends on your pay grade, whether you have dependents and your duty station ZIP code, so it is worth looking it up before you start shopping for a home.
This is the next installment of my PCSing to Holloman series. If you are just getting started, read your first week in Alamogordo and on-base vs off-base housing first, then come back here to work out your budget.
What is BAH at Holloman AFB in 2026?
I looked up these 2026 monthly rates on the Defense Travel Management Office BAH rate lookup using Holloman's ZIP code, 88330. The calculator lists the area as HOLLOMAN AFB/ALAMOGORDO, NM (NM205).
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 to E-4 | $1,419 | $1,131 |
| E-5 | $1,590 | $1,197 |
| E-6 | $1,869 | $1,401 |
| E-7 | $1,890 | $1,425 |
| O-1 | $1,632 | $1,245 |
| O-3 | $1,905 | $1,764 |
| O-4 | $2,175 | $1,869 |
These are 2026 rates. If your grade is not listed, the same lookup tool has every pay grade, including warrant officers and O-1E to O-3E.
How is my BAH figured?
According to the DoD's Basic Allowance for Housing page, BAH is based on housing costs in the local civilian rental market and is paid when government quarters are not provided. Your rate comes from three things: your pay grade, whether you have dependents, and your permanent duty station ZIP code.
BAH only looks at whether you have dependents, not how many. A family of three and a family of six at the same rank get the same amount. The DoD also says BAH is not meant to cover every housing cost, and that you are free to spend more or less than your allowance on rent.
Can my BAH go down while I live here?
Not because of the yearly rate update. The DoD calls this individual rate protection. You get either the rates published on January 1 or the amount you were receiving on December 31, whichever is larger, as long as your status stays the same.
Rate protection ends if you PCS, are reduced in pay grade, or your dependency status changes. The DoD also notes that rental prices generally change 2% to 5% from year to year, and housing allowances usually follow.
What should I budget for besides rent?
BAH is the starting point, not the whole budget. When I help Holloman families plan a move, these are the costs we talk through:
- Utilities. Gas, electric, water, trash and internet are usually not in the rent off base. Winter heating can surprise people, so read my winter heating costs guide.
- Move-in costs. Most landlords ask for a security deposit and sometimes a pet deposit or pet rent.
- Renter's or homeowner's insurance. Plan for it from day one.
- Commute. Gas and wear on your car add up if you live farther from the gate.
- If you buy. A mortgage payment includes property taxes and insurance, and you will want a cushion for repairs.
A simple way to start: take your BAH, subtract your expected utilities, and use what is left as your target for rent or a mortgage payment.
Should I rent or buy with my BAH?
It depends on how long you expect to be here, your savings and your plans after Holloman. Renting keeps you flexible, and a military clause in a lease can help if you get orders. Buying can make sense if you plan to stay a few years or want to keep the home as a rental later.
Either way, look at the Alamogordo neighborhoods guide to see how commute and home styles vary around town, and my Holloman AFB relocation guide for the bigger picture.
What does this mean for buyers and renters?
For many families, BAH sets the price range they shop in. Knowing your exact number before you start looking keeps you from falling for a home that stretches the budget. It also helps you compare a rental and a mortgage payment on the same terms. If you are selling a home near Holloman, it is helpful to know that military buyers and renters often shop right around these monthly amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is BAH at Holloman AFB in 2026?
It depends on your pay grade and dependency status. For example, an E-5 with dependents gets $1,590 a month and an O-3 with dependents gets $1,905.
What ZIP code do I use for Holloman BAH?
Holloman AFB's ZIP code is 88330. The DoD lookup lists the area as Holloman AFB/Alamogordo, NM (NM205).
Does BAH change with the number of dependents?
No. BAH only looks at whether you have dependents, not how many you have.
Can my BAH go down at Holloman?
Not from the yearly update while your status stays the same. Individual rate protection keeps you at the higher of the new rate or what you received on December 31.
Does BAH cover utilities?
BAH is meant to reflect local housing costs, but the DoD says it is not intended to cover every housing cost. Plan for utilities, insurance and deposits in your budget.
BAH rates are from the Defense Travel Management Office BAH rate lookup for ZIP code 88330, and the rate protection details are from the DoD's Basic Allowance for Housing page, both checked 2 November 2026. Confirm your own rate with your finance office.