BAH at Fort Wainwright (Fairbanks, AK)
Fort Wainwright is located in Fairbanks, AK, and falls under Military Housing Area AK405. BAH rates here reflect the local housing market costs as surveyed annually by the Department of Defense. Understanding your BAH rate is essential for budgeting whether you plan to rent, buy, or live in on-post/on-base housing.
For the most common enlisted ranks at Fort Wainwright, an E-5 with dependents receives $2,436/month in BAH, while an E-7 with dependents receives $2,610/month. These rates are completely tax-free, making them significantly more valuable than equivalent taxable income. Use the table above to find the exact rate for your rank and dependency status.
Using Your BAH at Fort Wainwright
BAH is designed to cover approximately 95% of housing costs in the Fairbanks area for your rank and dependency status. If you find housing for less than your BAH, you keep the tax-free difference. If housing exceeds your BAH, you cover the gap from your base pay. Off-post housing gives you flexibility and potential savings, while on-post housing (if available) means your full BAH goes directly to the housing office with no out-of-pocket costs but no savings either.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MHA code covers Fort Wainwright?
Fort Wainwright falls under Military Housing Area AK405. This MHA covers the Fairbanks, AK metropolitan area including ZIP codes 99703, 99701, 99709 and surrounding areas. BAH rates are the same for all ZIP codes within this MHA.
When do BAH rates change at Fort Wainwright?
BAH rates update annually on January 1st based on DoD housing cost surveys. Under current policy, your individual rate is protected — if the new year's rate is lower than what you currently receive, you keep the higher rate as long as you maintain continuous eligibility at Fort Wainwright with no change in dependency status.
How does Fort Wainwright BAH compare to other installations?
An E-5 with dependents at Fort Wainwright receives $2,436/month. For comparison, the national median for E-5 with dependents is approximately $2,100/month. Coastal and metropolitan bases tend to have higher rates, while installations in rural or lower-cost areas have lower rates. Use the BAH Calculator to compare any location by ZIP code.
Plan Your Finances
BAH is one of the most valuable components of military compensation because it's completely tax-free. Use the Mil-Multiplier Compensation Calculator to see what your total military pay — including BAH, BAS, and benefits — is really worth as a civilian salary, or the BAH Calculator to look up rates for any ZIP code in the country.