South Dakota (SD) BAH Rates
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing rates for 2 military duty stations in South Dakota. Average E-5 with dependents rate: $1,770/mo.
SD Duty Station BAH Comparison — E-5
E-5 with dependents rates across South Dakota stations. Highest: $1,986 (Rapid City/Ellsworth Afb). Lowest: $1,554 (Sioux Falls). Average: $1,770/mo.
Rapid City/Ellsworth Afb, SD
MHA: SD264
E-5 w/ Dep
$1,986
O-3 w/ Dep
$2,475
Sioux Falls, SD
MHA: SD265
E-5 w/ Dep
$1,554
O-3 w/ Dep
$2,106
About BAH in South Dakota
South Dakota 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 South Dakota is $1,986/mo and the lowest is $1,554/mo. This range reflects the diversity of housing markets across South Dakota's military installations.
How South Dakota BAH Rates Are Determined
BAH rates in South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota rates changed over time
- Compare duty stations — Side-by-side BAH comparison
- BAH affordability tool — What can you afford?