The 2026 Fort Hood BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents is $1,695 per month. Rates range from $1,374 for junior enlisted without dependents to $2,787 for O-7 and above with dependents. Fort Hood uses MHA code TX286 and duty station ZIP 76544. The full table below covers every pay grade.
Use the full mortgage payment calculator to see what your BAH actually covers after taxes and insurance.
E-5 BAH at Fort Hood
- With dependents: $1,695 per month, $20,340 per year, effective January 1, 2026, per DoD BAH rate tables for MHA TX286.
- Without dependents: $1,530 per month, $18,360 per year.
- What this means for payment: At 7.28% on a VA loan with the 2.15% funding fee rolled in, $1,695 covers principal and interest on roughly a $240,000 purchase before property taxes and insurance.
Mortgage Rates Right Now
- 30-year fixed: 7.28% as of the week ending October 1, 2026, per the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Up from 7.03% the prior week and 6.34% a year ago.
- 15-year fixed: 6.60% for the same week, up from 6.42% the prior week.
- What this means for payment: At 7.28% on a $204,300 VA loan for a $200,000 home with the funding fee rolled in, principal and interest run roughly $1,398 per month before taxes, insurance, or any assessments.
Fort Hood BAH Details
- MHA code: TX286 with duty station ZIP 76544. The rates in this guide are effective January 1, 2026.
- Rate table: The full 2026 rate table below covers every pay grade, enlisted through officer. Rates are determined by pay grade and dependency status.
VA Loan Basics
- No down payment: VA purchase loans require no down payment as long as the sales price does not exceed the appraised value. VA loans do not require private mortgage insurance.
- VA funding fee: 2.15% of the loan amount for first use with no down payment, 3.3% for subsequent use. Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are exempt, as are surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and active-duty service members who provide evidence of a Purple Heart on or before the closing date.
What is the 2026 Fort Hood BAH for E-5 with dependents?
The 2026 BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents stationed at Fort Hood is $1,695 per month, or $20,340 per year. This rate is published by DoD for MHA code TX286 and is effective January 1, 2026. The without-dependents rate for the same grade is $1,530 per month. Use the full mortgage payment calculator to see what this amount covers after property taxes and insurance.
Does BAH alone cover a mortgage in Killeen?
It depends on the purchase price, interest rate, property taxes, and insurance. At 7.28% on a VA loan for a $200,000 home with the 2.15% funding fee rolled in, principal and interest alone run roughly $1,398 per month. An E-5 with dependents at $1,695 BAH would have $297 remaining for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and reserves. The Texas Department of Insurance reports a 2025 statewide average homeowners premium of $3,489 per year, roughly $291 per month. At that combination, BAH alone would not cover full PITI on a $200,000 home. Run your scenario in the escrow shock test before making an offer.
What is the Fort Hood MHA code?
Fort Hood uses MHA code TX286 and duty station ZIP 76544. The installation was previously designated Fort Cavazos.
The Bottom Line Up Front
Fort Hood 2026 BAH rates range from $1,374 per month for junior enlisted without dependents to $2,787 for O-7 and above with dependents. An E-5 with dependents receives $1,695 per month. At current mortgage rates, that amount covers principal and interest on a VA loan for roughly a $240,000 home before property taxes and insurance. Whether BAH alone covers your full monthly housing cost depends on the purchase price, property taxes, your insurance quote, and whether you roll in the VA funding fee. This guide covers the complete rate table, the real math behind a Killeen home budget, and the tax and insurance variables that determine whether your BAH fits your payment.
2026 Fort Hood BAH Rates by Pay Grade
All rates below are effective January 1, 2026, for the Fort Hood MHA, code TX286. Rates are set by pay grade and dependency status.
Enlisted
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents | Annual With Dep |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,662 | $1,374 | $19,944 |
| E-2 | $1,662 | $1,374 | $19,944 |
| E-3 | $1,662 | $1,374 | $19,944 |
| E-4 | $1,662 | $1,374 | $19,944 |
| E-5 | $1,695 | $1,530 | $20,340 |
| E-6 | $1,920 | $1,626 | $23,040 |
| E-7 | $2,070 | $1,668 | $24,840 |
| E-8 | $2,238 | $1,746 | $26,856 |
| E-9 | $2,409 | $1,806 | $28,908 |
Warrant Officer
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents | Annual With Dep |
|---|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $1,938 | $1,665 | $23,256 |
| W-2 | $2,139 | $1,743 | $25,668 |
| W-3 | $2,346 | $1,812 | $28,152 |
| W-4 | $2,433 | $1,950 | $29,196 |
| W-5 | $2,544 | $2,109 | $30,528 |
Officer
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents | Annual With Dep |
|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $1,731 | $1,623 | $20,772 |
| O-1E | $2,100 | $1,692 | $25,200 |
| O-2 | $1,917 | $1,689 | $23,004 |
| O-2E | $2,313 | $1,788 | $27,756 |
| O-3 | $2,340 | $1,833 | $28,080 |
| O-3E | $2,451 | $1,908 | $29,412 |
| O-4 | $2,577 | $2,076 | $30,924 |
| O-5 | $2,748 | $2,169 | $32,976 |
| O-6 | $2,769 | $2,325 | $33,228 |
| O-7 and above | $2,787 | $2,361 | $33,444 |
The O-7 rate applies to O-7, O-8, O-9, and O-10 at this duty station. E-1 through E-4 share the same rate at Fort Hood.
Fort Hood, Fort Cavazos, and Your BAH
The installation was redesignated from Fort Cavazos to Fort Hood.
- MHA code: TX286.
- Duty station ZIP: 76544.
What It Really Costs
Your BAH is not your housing budget. Your actual monthly housing cost includes principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any assessments.
Monthly Payment Components
| Component | What It Covers | How to Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Principal and interest | Loan repayment | Driven by loan amount and rate. At 7.28% on a $204,300 VA loan, roughly $1,398 per month. |
| Property taxes | Annual tax on the property | City of Killeen’s adopted rate is $0.7301 per $100 of assessed value. Use the escrow shock test to model your tax. |
| Homeowners insurance | Dwelling, liability, personal property | Get a quote during the option period. TDI reports a 2025 statewide average of $3,489 per year. |
| VA funding fee | One-time fee to VA | 2.15% of loan amount for first use with no down payment, 3.3% for subsequent use. Can be financed into the loan or paid at closing. Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are exempt, as are surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and active-duty service members who provide evidence of a Purple Heart on or before the closing date. |
| HOA dues | Community maintenance, amenities | Check the listing for HOA dues, if any. |
Hypothetical Monthly Cost
This example is illustrative only. Every input is stated so you can adjust for your situation.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $200,000 |
| Down payment | 0% VA loan |
| VA funding fee | 2.15% first use, $4,300, rolled into loan |
| Loan amount | $204,300 |
| Rate | 7.28%, 30-year fixed, PMMS week ending Oct 1, 2026 |
| Principal and interest | ~$1,398 per month |
| Property taxes | Enter your address in the escrow shock test. |
| Homeowners insurance | Get a quote for the specific property. |
| HOA | Check the listing. |
The principal-and-interest figure alone does not represent your housing cost. Add every line before deciding whether a property fits your budget. The full mortgage payment calculator builds the complete picture.
Principal and Interest by Purchase Price
All figures assume a 0% down VA loan at 7.28% with the 2.15% first-use funding fee rolled into the loan amount.
| Purchase Price | Funding Fee | Loan Amount | Monthly P and I |
|---|---|---|---|
| $180,000 | $3,870 | $183,870 | ~$1,258 |
| $200,000 | $4,300 | $204,300 | ~$1,398 |
| $220,000 | $4,730 | $224,730 | ~$1,538 |
| $240,000 | $5,160 | $245,160 | ~$1,677 |
| $260,000 | $5,590 | $265,590 | ~$1,817 |
A $220,000 purchase produces principal and interest of $1,538 per month, leaving an E-5 with dependents only $157 from BAH for property taxes, insurance, and reserves. Once property taxes and insurance are added, total PITI on a $220,000 home will exceed $1,695 in BAH.
Property Taxes and Insurance Near Fort Hood
Check the Bell County property taxes guide for current rates.
- City of Killeen adopted rate: $0.7301 per $100 of assessed value, split between $0.5562 for operations and $0.1739 for debt service, per the City of Killeen Finance Department.
- Homestead exemption: File Form 50-114 with the Bell County Appraisal District to receive a $140,000 reduction in assessed value for school district taxes. The general deadline is before May 1 of the tax year. If you buy after January 1, you may receive the exemption for the applicable portion of that tax year if the prior owner did not receive the same exemption. See the Texas homestead exemption guide.
- Appraisal cap: Under Texas Tax Code 23.23, a homestead property’s certified appraised value cannot increase by more than 10% per year.
Homeowners Insurance
- Statewide average: The Texas Department of Insurance reports a 2025 preliminary statewide average homeowners premium of $3,489 per year, roughly $291 per month. Get a quote for the specific property during the option period.
Neighborhoods Near Fort Hood
The areas near Fort Hood include Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Belton, and Temple. For neighborhood-level detail, see the PCS to Fort Hood guide, the places to live near Fort Hood guide, and the school districts near Fort Hood guide. Use the Killeen-Temple real estate data page for current market statistics.
VA Loans at Fort Hood
VA purchase loans allow eligible Veterans and active-duty service members to buy with no down payment. VA loans do not require private mortgage insurance.
- Down payment: No down payment required on a VA purchase loan as long as the sales price does not exceed the appraised value.
- Funding fee: 2.15% of the loan amount for first use with no down payment, 1.5% with 5% or more down, and 1.25% with 10% or more down. Subsequent use with no down payment is 3.3%. Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are exempt, as are surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and active-duty service members who provide evidence of a Purple Heart on or before the closing date. You can finance the funding fee into your loan amount.
- Closing costs: On a VA purchase loan, you can finance only the VA funding fee into the loan amount; all other closing costs are due at closing. VA limits seller concessions to no more than 4% of the home’s reasonable value.
Rent or Buy Near Fort Hood
The right answer depends on your timeline, your total monthly cost, and your tolerance for transaction costs.
- Transaction costs exist on both ends: When you sell, you pay closing costs and agent compensation. Those costs reduce your equity. If you have not been in the home long enough for appreciation to exceed those costs plus your VA funding fee, you may sell at a loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 Fort Hood BAH for E-5 with dependents?
The rate is $1,695 per month, or $20,340 per year. This is the BAH rate published by DoD for MHA TX286, effective January 1, 2026. The without-dependents rate for E-5 is $1,530 per month. To find your specific rate, locate your pay grade in the table above. Rates are based on pay grade and dependency status.
What MHA code and ZIP code does Fort Hood use?
Fort Hood uses MHA code TX286 and duty station ZIP 76544.
Does a VA purchase loan require a down payment?
No. VA purchase loans require no down payment as long as the sales price does not exceed the appraised value. VA loans also do not require private mortgage insurance.
What is the VA funding fee and who is exempt?
The VA funding fee is a one-time charge paid to the VA at closing or financed into the loan. For first-time use with no down payment, the fee is 2.15% of the loan amount. For subsequent use with no down payment, it is 3.3%. A 5% down payment reduces the fee to 1.5%, and 10% or more reduces it to 1.25% for both first and subsequent use. Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are exempt, as are surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and active-duty service members who provide evidence of a Purple Heart on or before the closing date.
How do Bell County property taxes affect my monthly payment?
The City of Killeen’s adopted rate is $0.7301 per $100 of assessed value. Enter your address in the escrow shock test to see the full impact, and review the Bell County property taxes guide for current rates.
What is the Texas homestead exemption?
The residence homestead exemption provides a $140,000 reduction in assessed value for school district taxes. File Form 50-114 with the Bell County Appraisal District. The general deadline is before May 1 of the tax year. If you buy after January 1, you may receive the exemption for the applicable portion of that tax year if the prior owner did not receive the same exemption. Under Texas Tax Code 23.23, a homestead property’s certified appraised value cannot increase by more than 10% per year. See the Texas homestead exemption guide for details.
What is the current 30-year mortgage rate?
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.28% for the week ending October 1, 2026, per the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. The 15-year fixed rate for the same week was 6.60%. At 7.28% on a $204,300 VA loan for a $200,000 home with the funding fee rolled in, principal and interest run roughly $1,398 per month. Use the full mortgage payment calculator to see the complete monthly cost.
What was Fort Hood previously called?
The installation was previously designated Fort Cavazos before being redesignated to Fort Hood. The MHA code is TX286 and the duty station ZIP is 76544.
Data and Methodology
BAH rates in this guide come from DoD BAH rate tables for MHA TX286, Fort Hood, TX, effective January 1, 2026. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ending October 1, 2026. VA funding fee rates, exemptions, and closing cost rules are from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The City of Killeen property tax rate is from the City of Killeen Finance Department. The Texas homeowners insurance average is from the Texas Department of Insurance 2025 market overview. Homestead exemption details are from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. All payment calculations use the standard amortization formula with stated inputs.
