U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, Colorado · Air Force / Space Force
The United States Air Force Academy trains the next generation of Air Force and Space Force officers — located at the foot of the Rampart Range, north of Colorado Springs.
The Academy shares the Colorado Springs MHA. Families stationed here benefit from living on the north side of the city, which has the best school districts in the region. Housing costs are higher in Briargate and Monument, but the school quality makes it worthwhile for families.
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Showing E-5 with dependents for the Colorado Springs, CO MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$2,358/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$1,825/mo
PCS Pay It Forward / Zillow 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$533/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $533/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$460,000
Zillow / Redfin 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$3,000–$3,300/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~0.6% property tax + insurance
At $2,358/month BAH and an estimated $3,000–$3,300/month PITI on a median-priced home, BAH may not fully cover a typical mortgage, but it can significantly offset your monthly housing cost — though actual costs vary based on rate, taxes, insurance, and individual circumstances.
Housing cost estimates are approximate and based on publicly available market data. Actual mortgage costs depend on interest rate, property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, maintenance, credit profile, and lender requirements. This is not financial advice — use these numbers as a starting point for your own research.
How This Market Compares
U.S. Air Force Academy BAH for E-5 with dependents is $297/mo above the national average — and the north side of Colorado Springs (Monument, Briargate, Northgate) is the ideal location for Academy-assigned families, with top schools and 10–15 minute commutes.
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$2,358/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
+$297/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Colorado Springs, CO
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $2,160/mo·E-5 w/dep: $2,358/mo·E-6 w/dep: $2,433/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $2,160 | $1,689 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $2,160 | $1,689 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $2,160 | $1,689 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $2,160 | $1,689 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $2,358 | $1,860 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,433 | $1,980 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,487 | $2,166 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,553 | $2,379 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,646 | $2,388 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,448 | $2,103 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,514 | $2,376 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,598 | $2,394 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,664 | $2,436 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,754 | $2,502 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,496 | $2,355 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,583 | $2,385 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,679 | $2,418 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $2,376 | $1,959 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,430 | $2,295 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,595 | $2,397 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,778 | $2,484 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $2,913 | $2,517 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $2,934 | $2,574 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $2,955 | $2,616 |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
Local cost of living context
Overall cost of living is roughly roughly 12–15% above the national average.
Colorado has a flat income tax of 4.40% on military pay. BAH and BAS remain tax-free.
What to know before you move
The Academy is on the north side of Colorado Springs, so families who rent in Fountain or Security-Widefield (popular for Fort Carson) face a 35–45 minute commute. Look at Monument, Briargate, or Northgate instead — they're 10–15 minutes from the Academy's north gate with access to the top-rated Lewis-Palmer and Academy D20 school districts.
Housing data is approximate and provided for informational and educational purposes only. Median rents and home prices reflect market estimates at time of publication and may not reflect current conditions. School ratings are sourced from third-party services and reflect their methodology. MilPayTools does not endorse specific neighborhoods, properties, landlords, or housing decisions. Always verify figures independently and consult with a qualified professional before making financial commitments.
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Data Source & Disclaimer
BAH rates are from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) 2026 BAH data, effective January 1, 2026. Rates are set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not individual ZIP code — all ZIPs in the same MHA receive identical rates. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with DoD, DTMO, or any government agency. Verify your entitlement at travel.dod.mil.