BAH covers most rent in most neighborhoods but rarely all of it everywhere. An E-5 with dependents receives approximately $2,450/month BAH, which covers Fairfax County’s $2,150 median with $300 remaining but falls $400 short in Arlington. An O-3 with dependents receives $2,900/month, sufficient for Fairfax County and Burke but tight in Falls Church or North Arlington. BAH is calibrated to the 95th percentile of local rental costs, meaning it’s a starting point, not a complete housing budget on its own.