2026 BAH Increase: Abilene TX Rates Up 18–28% Effective May 16
Published May 21, 2026
What Changed
DoD temporarily increased BAH rates for MHA TX270 (Abilene/Dyess AFB, TX) by 18–28% across all grades, effective May 16 – December 31, 2026. The new rates apply to both the with-dependent and without-dependent columns and were set using housing cost data collected through April 2026.
Who Is Affected
All active-duty members assigned to a duty location in MHA TX270 — covering the Abilene/Dyess AFB area — are automatically eligible. This includes all six branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard), all pay grades E-1 through O-10 and W-1 through W-5, and both with-dependent and without-dependent status. Reserve Component members on qualifying active duty orders at Dyess AFB are also included. No individual certification of increased housing costs is required — the higher rate applies automatically to all assigned members.
New Rates
The table below shows a representative sample of base 2026 rates versus the temporarily increased 2026 rates. All figures are monthly.
| Grade | With Deps (base → temp) | Without Deps (base → temp) |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,458 → $1,761 | $1,170 → $1,380 |
| E-5 | $1,554 → $1,872 | $1,287 → $1,545 |
| E-6 | $2,214 → $2,820 | $1,662 → $2,115 |
| O-4 | $2,484 → $3,063 | $2,214 → $2,820 |
| O-7 | $2,712 → $3,282 | $2,241 → $2,859 |
E-1
E-5
E-6
O-4
O-7
Full temporary rate table by grade: Official DoD notice (PDF)
What This Means for Your Pay
The higher rate is automatic — no action required on your part. It applies to your LES starting with the pay period that covers May 16, 2026. If your LES shows the old TX270 rate after that date, contact your finance office; the update should have been applied without any individual request.
The most important caveat: rate protection does not apply to temporary BAH increases (DoD FMR Vol. 7A Ch. 26, §5.3.4). When the temporary period ends on December 31, 2026, your BAH reverts to the then-current standard TX270 rate — there is no grandfathering, regardless of your actual rent or lease term. The reversion rate will be whatever the 2027 standard TX270 rate turns out to be, which may be higher or lower than today's base rate depending on updated housing market data. Do not sign a lease through 2027 assuming you will keep the temporary rate.
Citation
Authority: 37 U.S.C. § 403 (BAH); Secretary of Defense temporary-increase authority under 37 U.S.C. § 403(b)
Regulation: DoD Financial Management Regulation (FMR) Volume 7A, Chapter 26 — Housing Allowances, §5.3.4 (Temporary BAH Rate Increases)
Official source: 2026 Abilene Temporary BAH Increase notice (PDF, DoD)
Published: May 13, 2026