What Is the BAH at Patrick Space Force Base in 2026?

BAH, the Basic Allowance for Housing, is usually the first number people ask me about when orders to Patrick come through. It sets the budget for renting or buying here, and it is one of the main incomes a VA lender looks at. Below are the current figures, how they work in Brevard, and what they leave out.

What are the 2026 BAH rates at Patrick Space Force Base?

The 2026 monthly rates for the Patrick SFB, FL housing area range from $1,845 for junior enlisted without dependents to $3,315 for O-7 and above with dependents. These figures come from the Department of Defense 2026 rate file, which you can confirm for your own grade on the DoD BAH rate lookup using ZIP code 32925.

Pay grade	With dependents	Without dependents
E-1 to E-4	$2,325	$1,845
E-5	$2,502	$2,037
E-6	$2,883	$2,163
E-7	$2,907	$2,331
E-8	$2,916	$2,583
E-9	$2,955	$2,691
W-2	$2,913	$2,580
O-1	$2,553	$2,148
O-2	$2,880	$2,445
O-3	$2,922	$2,742
O-4	$3,108	$2,883
O-5	$3,267	$2,892
O-6	$3,294	$2,895

Rates are monthly and took effect January 1, 2026. The with-dependents rate is one flat amount, so it does not grow with each additional dependent. Your Leave and Earnings Statement and your finance office have the final word on your own pay.

Did BAH go up at Patrick for 2026?

Yes. The Department announced on December 11, 2025 that 2026 rates would rise an average of 4.2 percent nationwide, according to its 2026 BAH release. At Patrick, the E-5 with dependents rate moved from $2,418 in 2025 to $2,502, and several mid and senior grades rose more than that.

The same release explains individual rate protection: as long as you keep uninterrupted BAH eligibility at a location, your rate will not drop even if the area's published rate falls. The 2027 rates are typically announced in December and take effect January 1, so anyone arriving early next year should check again once they post.

Does BAH change depending on where you live in Brevard County?

No. BAH is set by the ZIP code of your permanent duty station, not the ZIP code of the home you pick. If Patrick is your duty station, you receive the Patrick rate whether you live in Satellite Beach, Viera, or Titusville.

The Patrick housing area also covers 46 ZIP codes, which include most of Brevard from Mims and Titusville through Merritt Island, Cocoa, Rockledge, Melbourne, Palm Bay, and the beaches. So a member assigned to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station or the Kennedy area generally lands in the same rate table. If your home costs less than your BAH, you keep the difference. If it costs more, the gap comes out of your pay.

What does BAH need to cover when you buy a home here?

When you buy, BAH has to stretch across the whole monthly housing cost, not only principal and interest. In Brevard that usually means:

1. Principal and interest on the loan.
2. Property taxes, which reset after a sale. Our Brevard property tax calculator lets you estimate the bill on a specific price and city.
3. Homeowners insurance, including wind coverage. See how much homeowners insurance costs in Brevard County.
4. Flood insurance if the home is in a high risk zone or you choose to carry it in Zone X. Check the zone first with our guide to finding your flood zone in Brevard County.
5. HOA or CDD fees, which are common in newer communities in Viera and West Melbourne.
6. Electric, water, sewer, and upkeep. BAH rates are built from median rents plus utilities, but owners also carry repairs, a roof, and air conditioning.

The honest downside: on the barrier island and on the water, insurance and flood costs can push the full monthly payment above BAH even when the purchase price looks workable. Inland homes on the mainland often leave more room, though commute time to the base goes up.

Does BAH count as income for a VA loan?

Yes. The VA Lenders Handbook tells lenders to include a properly verified military housing allowance in effective income, and it notes that BAH is not taxable income. The lender must verify the amount you will receive at the new duty station, since BAH changes from one station to the next.

That is why your PCS orders matter early. A lender can usually work from the Patrick rate once it has your orders and your LES. VA occupancy rules still apply, which I cover in buying a house before your PCS to Patrick, along with the broader Space Coast VA loan homebuyer guide.

Is it better to rent or buy on BAH at Patrick?

It depends on how long you expect to stay and whether you would keep the home as a rental after your next move. Renting keeps you flexible for a short tour. Buying can make sense on a longer tour or for members who plan to retire on the Space Coast, but closing costs and selling costs mean a short stay rarely comes out ahead.

If you plan to rent the home out later, ask about rental rules before you buy, since many HOAs in Brevard limit leasing. For a look at how the towns around the base compare, start with where to live near Patrick Space Force Base and the Brevard relocation guide.

A local note from Carrie

As a Brevard County Relocation Realtor and Military Relocation Professional (MRP), I build a home search for PCS buyers around their BAH and the full monthly cost, not the list price alone. I pull flood zones, insurance estimates, and HOA rules before we tour, so families arriving at Patrick Space Force Base can compare Space Coast homes from out of state and make decisions before the moving truck shows up.

FAQ

What is the BAH at Patrick Space Force Base for 2026?

For 2026, an E-5 with dependents receives $2,502 a month, E-1 through E-4 with dependents receive $2,325, and an O-3 with dependents receives $2,922. Rates for every grade are on the DoD BAH rate lookup under ZIP code 32925.

Is BAH the same everywhere in Brevard County?

For members stationed at Patrick, yes. BAH follows your duty station ZIP code, and the Patrick housing area covers most Brevard ZIP codes, so the town you choose does not change the rate.

Do you keep leftover BAH if your housing costs less?

Yes. BAH is paid at the published rate for your grade and dependency status, and if your rent or mortgage costs less, you keep the difference.

When do 2027 BAH rates come out?

The Department of Defense typically releases the next year's rates in December, effective January 1. The 2026 rates were announced December 11, 2025.

Can a Space Coast Realtor help me budget a home purchase around BAH?

Yes. I can price homes against your BAH with taxes, insurance, flood, and HOA costs included. Call or text 256.479.2800, email carrieliotta@gmail.com, or book a call.