DOD releases 2013 housing allowance rates Published Dec. 17, 2012 WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Defense Department released on Monday the 2013 Basic Allowance for Housing rates, which take effect Jan. 1, 2013. Overall rates will increase an average of 3.8 percent. For service members with dependents, average increases in BAH are approximately $60 per month. A typical E-6 with dependents, for example, will find his/her BAH about $60 per month higher than last year, while an O-3 with dependents will receive about $55 more than last year. In areas where rates will decrease, the decrease will only apply to members newly reporting to those locations. Service members are protected by individual rate protection, which ensures that those already assigned to a given location will not see their BAH rate decrease but will receive the increase if the rate goes up. This ensures that members who have made long-term commitments in the form of a lease or contract are not penalized if the area's housing costs decrease. Three components are included in the BAH computation: median current market rent; average utilities (including electricity, heat, water and sewer) and average renter's insurance. Total housing costs are calculated for six housing profiles, based on dwelling type and number of bedrooms, in each military housing area. BAH rates are then calculated for each pay grade, both with and without dependents. An estimated $20 billion will be paid to more than 1 million service members in 2013. For more information on BAH, visit https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm.