Rhode Island (RI) BAH Rates
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing rates for 2 military duty stations in Rhode Island. Average E-5 with dependents rate: $3,021/mo.
RI Duty Station BAH Comparison — E-5
E-5 with dependents rates across Rhode Island stations. Highest: $3,195 (Providence). Lowest: $2,847 (Newport). Average: $3,021/mo.
Newport, RI
MHA: RI256
E-5 w/ Dep
$2,847
O-3 w/ Dep
$4,137
Providence, RI
MHA: RI257
E-5 w/ Dep
$3,195
O-3 w/ Dep
$4,008
About BAH in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 2 Military Housing Areas with BAH rates that reflect local rental costs. Rates vary significantly across the state based on the cost of living in each area. The Department of Defense calculates BAH using median rental data collected from each housing area, ensuring that service members receive allowances aligned with actual housing costs in their duty station location.
The highest E-5 with dependents BAH rate in Rhode Island is $3,195/mo and the lowest is $2,847/mo. This range reflects the diversity of housing markets across Rhode Island's military installations.
How Rhode Island BAH Rates Are Determined
BAH rates in Rhode Island are based on annual surveys of local rental markets conducted by the Department of Defense. These surveys measure median housing costs including rent, utilities, and renter's insurance for various housing profiles. Each Military Housing Area (MHA) in Rhode Island receives rates tailored to its specific cost of living, which is why rates can differ significantly between duty stations even within the same state. Service members stationed in Rhode Island should use our calculator to find the exact rate for their specific pay grade and dependency status.
Related Resources
- BAH rates by pay grade — Compare rates across all ranks
- Historical BAH rates — See how Rhode Island rates changed over time
- Compare duty stations — Side-by-side BAH comparison
- BAH affordability tool — What can you afford?