What you can compare
- A promotion. Change the grade on the “After” side. Basic pay and BAH both follow the grade.
- A longevity step. Keep the grade and move years of service to the next step.
- A PCS. Pick a different duty station on each side to see the BAH change.
- Dependents. Switch BAH from the without-dependents rate to the with-dependents rate.
Reading the result
Total pay is basic pay plus BAH plus BAS. Take-home is total pay less federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax at the rate you enter. BAH and BAS are not taxed, so a move to a higher-BAH station raises take-home by the full difference, while a rise in basic pay is taxed.
BAH also has rate protection: if rates for your area drop while you stay at the same station and grade, you keep the higher rate. This calculator uses the 2026 published rates for both sides.
Questions
How much more will I make after a promotion?
Set “Now” to your current grade and years of service and “After” to the new grade. Basic pay changes with the grade, and BAH usually rises too because the housing rate is set by grade. The table shows each part and the monthly change.
How do I compare BAH between two duty stations?
Keep the grade and years the same on both sides and pick a different duty station on each. The BAH row shows the difference. For a wider look at a move, use the BAH and PCS workspace.
Does a pay raise push me into a higher tax bracket?
Only the dollars above a bracket’s threshold are taxed at the higher rate, so a raise never lowers your take-home. The take-home row already includes the extra federal tax on the new basic pay.