2026 BAH Rates — Des Moines, IA
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for Des Moines, IA (Military Housing Area IA082), effective January 1, 2026. BAH is a tax-free monthly allowance set by your duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and whether you have dependents.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,593 | $1,284 |
| E-2 | $1,593 | $1,284 |
| E-3 | $1,593 | $1,284 |
| E-4 | $1,593 | $1,284 |
| E-5 | $1,770 | $1,359 |
| E-6 | $2,208 | $1,656 |
| E-7 | $2,292 | $1,719 |
| E-8 | $2,379 | $1,863 |
| E-9 | $2,511 | $1,989 |
| W-1 | $2,229 | $1,674 |
| W-2 | $2,328 | $1,860 |
| W-3 | $2,436 | $2,007 |
| W-4 | $2,538 | $2,223 |
| W-5 | $2,667 | $2,310 |
| O-1E | $2,304 | $1,767 |
| O-2E | $2,418 | $1,962 |
| O-3E | $2,559 | $2,202 |
| O-1 | $1,830 | $1,413 |
| O-2 | $2,205 | $1,722 |
| O-3 | $2,433 | $2,049 |
| O-4 | $2,706 | $2,289 |
| O-5 | $2,904 | $2,334 |
| O-6 | $2,925 | $2,415 |
| O-7 | $2,943 | $2,454 |
Estimate your own pay with the BAH calculator and the full military pay calculator. See all BAH locations or the by-state overview.
Frequently asked questions
How much is BAH in Des Moines, IA?
In 2026, an E-5 with dependents stationed in Des Moines, IA receives $1,770 per month in tax-free BAH, or $1,359 without dependents. Rates vary by pay grade — see the full table above.
Is BAH taxable?
No. BAH is a tax-free housing allowance, which makes it worth more than the same amount of taxable base pay.