Find Your Next Military Base
The free PCS planning platform covering all 196 US military installations across every branch. BAH rates, housing costs, school districts, base services — no account required.
Quick Answer
BaseReady is a free military readiness platform for active-duty service members, veterans, and families. Look up 2026 BAH rates for any of 196 US installations, compare bases side-by-side, and use built-in tools for move cost estimates, PCS checklists, veterans benefits guides, and spouse resources — no account required.
For informational use only. Not affiliated with the DoD or VA. Not legal or financial advice. Questions: support@baseready.app
What Is BaseReady?
BaseReady is a free military relocation platform built specifically for PCS moves. Every time orders drop, service members and their families face the same scramble: find housing that fits the BAH rate, pick a school district, figure out what's on base, and decide whether to live on- or off-post. BaseReady puts all of that information in one place — covering 196 installations across all 6 branches, organized so you can get answers in minutes instead of hours.
For each installation you get the full 2026 BAH table for every pay grade, average off-base rent by bedroom count, a cost-of-living breakdown across housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare, plus on-base services, nearby school districts, and neighborhoods. OCONUS installations include COLA percentages, tour lengths, and country-specific PCS considerations. The platform also includes a side-by-side base comparison tool and a full PCS checklist to track every task from orders receipt to final out-processing.
BaseReady is permanently free. No account, no subscription, no paywall. The data is updated continuously from official DoD sources and cross-referenced with real housing market data so the numbers you see reflect what you'll actually pay — not what the government optimistically estimated in 2019.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is BaseReady and who is it for?
BaseReady is a free PCS planning platform built for active-duty service members and their families. It covers 196 US military installations across Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force — with BAH rates, housing costs, school districts, base services, and side-by-side base comparisons.
How accurate are the BAH rates on BaseReady?
BAH rates on BaseReady are calculated from the 2026 DoD BAH tables using the E-5 base rate for each installation's zip code. Rates are shown for every pay grade from E-1 through O-6 with and without dependents. Always verify final rates at travel.dod.mil before submitting housing paperwork.
Does BaseReady require an account or subscription?
No. BaseReady is 100% free with no account, no email sign-up, and no paywall. Every BAH rate, housing cost, school district, and base service is publicly accessible. A few low-key ads keep the platform running.
How does VA disability compensation work and can I receive it while on active duty?
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly benefit paid to veterans with service-connected conditions. Active-duty service members cannot receive VA disability compensation simultaneously with full military pay (concurrent receipt) unless they have a Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) or CRDP qualifying rating. Once separated, veterans with a 10%–100% rating receive between $171 and $3,737 per month (2026 rates). Filing early — even before ETS — is advisable; VA claims can take 3–6 months to process and ratings are not retroactive before the filing date.
What is the VA Home Loan benefit and how does it apply during a PCS move?
The VA Home Loan guaranty allows eligible service members, veterans, and surviving spouses to purchase a home with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and competitive interest rates. On a PCS move, you can use the benefit at your new duty station — even if you still have a VA loan on a previous home, in some cases. The VA funding fee (0.5%–3.3%) is completely waived for veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher. VA loans are also assumable, which can be a useful exit strategy when new orders arrive.
Can I use GI Bill benefits while still on active duty?
Active-duty service members cannot use the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) while serving, but two programs are available: Tuition Assistance (TA), which covers up to $250 per semester credit hour and $4,500 per fiscal year for most branches, and MyCAA, a $4,000 scholarship for spouses of service members in certain pay grades. The Post-9/11 GI Bill activates after separation or retirement and covers full in-state tuition at public schools, up to $28,937/year at private schools (2024–25 academic year), plus a monthly housing allowance based on the school ZIP code at the E-5 with-dependent BAH rate.
What is TRICARE and how does coverage work during a PCS move?
TRICARE is the healthcare program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. Active-duty members are covered under TRICARE Prime with no monthly premium (cost-shares may apply for non-MTF care). During a PCS, TRICARE coverage continues uninterrupted — you remain enrolled in TRICARE Prime or Plus and can seek care at the MTF at your new installation or through the TRICARE network in your new area. If you PCS OCONUS, you are automatically covered under TRICARE Overseas Prime. Update your enrollment region within 30 days of arriving at your new duty station to avoid delays in network referrals.