Serving in the military comes with many unique challenges and benefits. One of the most unique benefits is that the mili🐈tary often covers housing costs. With some exceptions, service members⛄ have the option to rent—or even buy—off the military installation. However, choosing whether to live on base or rent off base can be complicated, as there are several factors to consider—cost, convenience, lifestyle, and personal preferences.

Types of Military Housing

In most cases, service members🔥 have two primary housing options: living on base or renting off base.

On-Base Housing

If yo🌠u choose to live on base, the housing might be either government-owned o🌸r privatized.

• Government-owned housing: In some locations, the Department of Defense (DoD) owns and manages the housing directly. This is typically rent-free for service members.
• Privatized housing: More common now, the military has contracted out base housing to private companies. In this case, you’ll receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) as part of your paycheck, which you use to pay rent and utilities.
  

Single or unaccompanied service members can choose to live in barracks, which are rent-free but may mean sharing a room and a bathroom. Some branches require single service members below certain ranks to live in barracks.

On the plus side, it's free.

Off-Base Housing

Service members often have the choice to rent off base. However, in some areas, on-base housing has long waitlists, forcing families to rent off-base until space becomes available. In these cases, the military will cover the cost of moving when an on-base unit opens up, but will not pay for the expense of moving from one off-base residence to another.

Differences Between Stateside and Overseas 

Housing varies depending on whether you’re stationed in the Continental United States (CONUS) or outside it—for example, overseas (OCONUS).

Stateside (CONUS)

When stationed in the Continental U.S., service members receive a BAH based on rank, location, and family size. The BAH helps cover off-base rent and utilities, and if the rent is lower than the BAH, service members can pocket the difference.

That makes off-base living a smart option in affordable areas. If your BAH is $1,200 but your rent is $1,000, you can spend the extra $200 however you want. In more expensiv💝e areas, you may end up paying more out of poc📖ket for housing. 

Some service members choose to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:buy homes (often with VA loans). Just be aware that the BAH is based on rental costs, not the costs of homeownership such as property taxes or insurance.

Overseas (OCONUS)

Things work differently for those who are stationed outside the U൩.S. Instead of the BAH,♚ service members receive the Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA).

Like the BAH, the amount of this allowance is determined by rank, location, and family size. Service members receive a monthly utility/recurring maintenance allowance, but the rent payment varies up to a set monthly maximum.

A military person will inspect the property to ensure it meets American housing standards and review the lease. Once it's approved, the military reimburses the service member for the exact rent amount up to the OHA maximum.

Living on Base

Some military families rave about living on their installation, while others absolutely hate it. Living options and on-base amenities also 🎃vary greatly from base to base. Sometimes, waitlists for on-base housing can last up to a y🎃ear.

Pros of Living on Base

• A More Affordable Option: If you live in government-owned housing, rent is typically free. Depending on the area, also privatized housing on-base can be cheaper than finding civilian housing that meets your needs and stays within your BAH.
• Close to Work and Amenities: With the commute reduced to nearly nothing, you'll have easy access to work, commissaries, schools, daycare, and community events.
• Family-Friendly: On-base housing often includes daycare, schools, and recreational activities geared toward families.
• Built-in Community: Living on base fosters a sense of camaraderie with other 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:military families, making it easier to make new friends and connections.
• Simplicity: If it’s a short assignment, living on base may be easier than finding a residence off base and going through the rental process.

Cons of Living on Base

• Limited Housing Options: You typically have little control over the type of housing you get. You could luck out with a single-family home with a backyard or get stuck in a duplex or fourplex with no yard. It could be newly renovated or old and in need of repair.
  
• Security Measures: On-base security protocols, such as gates and checks, can be an inconvenience.
• Cultural Isolation: You may find yourself in a military "bubble," disconnected from the local community.
• Noise and Restrictions: Bases can be noisy, especially with military training and aircraft activity. Additionally, certain base rules, like restrictions on running a business from home, may limit your lifestyle.
• Potential Lack of Safety: There have been reports of privatized housing companies performing poorly, including instances of failing to repair homes or address safety concerns like faulty wires or black mold. Fortunately, the Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights offers new rights to military families living in privatized base housing, so familiarize yourself with your rights.

Living Off Base

Living off base offers more flexibili⛦ty and privacy, but it comes with its own 🍬set of challenges.

Pros of Living Off Base

• Freedom of Choice: You can select the size, type, and location of your housing.
• Immersion in Local Culture: Off-base living allows you to experience the local community more fully. This can be especially helpful for single service members and those who are LGBTQI+.
• Work/Life Balance: Having a separate home and work environment can provide greater personal space and work-life balance.
• Potential for Savings or Equity: If your rent is less than your BAH, you can save the difference. In some cases, buying a home may be an option, allowing you to build equity. You have the freedom to find a property with the size and features you want. When you leave, you can either sell the property or keep it and rent it out.

Cons of Living Off Base

• Lease complexities: You’ll need to ensure your lease includes a "澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:military clause" that allows you to break it if you receive orders to relocate.
  
• Renewal: If the landlord doesn’t renew your lease or requires you to vacate before your tour ends, you have to find a new rental property. If you move to another off-base property, you’re on your own with moving resources and expenses.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: While the military covers most housing costs, you may still need to pay some out of pocket, especially in high-cost areas. (This is especially common in expensive places like California).
  
• Currency and conversion issues (if overseas): Renting overseas often involves dealing with currency exchange and the fluctuating cost of living. Though the military does give an overseas cost of living allowance (COLA) to account for the extra expenses, it’s not always enough. (The military also offers CONUS COLA to some stateside service members living in above-average cost-of-living areas.)
• Market risks: If you decide to buy property, the housing market can be unpredictable, especially if you need to sell or rent your home due to a change in assignment.

Housing Allowance for Guard and Reserves

Housing comp🌌ensation is different for those who serve in the National Guard or Reserve because they usually serve in a part-ti൲me capacity while living and working in the civilian world. 

If a service member in the National Guard or Reserve is activated under Title 10 or Title 32 for 30 days or less, they receive a separate type of BAH during that time, called the BAH RC/T.

This is a housing allowance that doesn’t vary by location; it’s based on the average cost of national housing. Those who are active beyond 30 days are eligible for the same BAH as other full-time service members during the duration.

The Bottom Line

Choosing between on-base and off-base housing is a personal decision influenced by budget, lifestyle, and priorities. Both options have their advantages and drawbacks, and the best ch𝓀oice will vary depending on your situation.

Regardless of which you choose, military housing comes with unique perks that can help you find a home that suits your needs. Though, as with everything in military life, sometimes the deci💙sion is out of your ꦫhands.

Correction—Feb. 7, 2025: The list of the worst places to be stationed in the U.S. Military has been c⭕orrected.