DTMO temporarily increased 2026 BAH for the Abilene, Texas and Dyess AFB military housing area TX270 from May 16 through December 31, 2026.
Reviewed August 12, 2026
What changed for TX270
DTMO announced a temporary increase to 2026 BAH rates for the Abilene, Texas and Dyess AFB military housing area, code TX270, in response to housing-market changes. The agency reported that the new rates average about 24% above the original 2026 rates, with increases ranging from 18% to 28% by grade and dependency status.
The temporary table is specific to TX270. It does not change every Texas BAH area, and it should not be applied merely because a member lives somewhere near Abilene. The assigned duty location and official housing-area determination control.
Effective and expiration dates
The official effective date is May 16, 2026. DTMO says the temporary rates expire December 31, 2026, and that later 2027 rates may be different.
A budget that spans the end of 2026 should not assume the temporary amount continues unchanged. Record the rate year and review the 2027 official table when published.
Who receives the increase
DTMO states that BAH-eligible members assigned to the TX270 Military Housing Area receive the new rate automatically and do not need to submit an action to elect the increase. Eligibility and the applicable with-dependents or without-dependents rate remain member-specific pay determinations.
If an LES does not reflect the expected amount after normal processing time, preserve the statement and assignment documentation and contact the servicing finance office. A public calculator cannot post or correct the entitlement.
How MyMilPay handles the temporary rate
When the official duty-ZIP lookup returns MHA TX270, MyMilPay applies the published temporary 2026 table for the selected pay grade and dependent status. The result identifies the temporary rate and keeps the underlying MHA code visible for review.
The lookup still depends on a valid duty ZIP and official DTMO response. Members should compare the calculator result with the current LES, especially around the May 16 effective date, a PCS, a dependency-status change, or the December 31 expiration.
Budget for housing separately
A higher BAH rate does not guarantee that rent, utilities, insurance, deposits, commuting, or lease terms are affordable. Enter actual monthly housing costs so the BAH-pocket result shows whether the allowance exceeds or falls short of the selected expenses.
Do not sign or change a lease based only on an estimated allowance. Verify the official rate, effective period, member eligibility, rate protection, and current housing costs before committing.