Colorado Springs BAH Rates 2023
2023 BAH Rates for Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs, Colorado, is home to multiple military installations. The military contributes to a substantial portion of the area’s population and is one of the major industries in Colorado Springs. Some of the military installations include:
- Fort Carson
- Peterson Air Force Base
- Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base
- Schriever Air Force Base
- United States Air Force Academy
This page lists BAH Rates, colleges and universities and their zip codes, cost of living information, school resources for children of military families, and things to see and do in the Colorado Springs area.
Related: Colorado BAH Rates
Colorado Springs, CO BAH Rates
| Paygrade | With | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | 2007 | 1584 |
| E2 | 2007 | 1584 |
| E3 | 2007 | 1584 |
| E4 | 2007 | 1584 |
| E5 | 2139 | 1764 |
| E6 | 2325 | 1878 |
| E7 | 2355 | 2007 |
| E8 | 2394 | 2181 |
| E9 | 2478 | 2226 |
| W1 | 2340 | 1974 |
| W2 | 2373 | 2178 |
| W3 | 2421 | 2232 |
| W4 | 2505 | 2328 |
| W5 | 2607 | 2364 |
| O1E | 2358 | 2133 |
| O2E | 2409 | 2217 |
| O3E | 2517 | 2313 |
| O1 | 2169 | 1869 |
| O2 | 2322 | 2097 |
| O3 | 2418 | 2253 |
| O4 | 2640 | 2349 |
| O5 | 2802 | 2370 |
| O6 | 2826 | 2403 |
| O7 | 2844 | 2439 |
Schools in Colorado Springs
-
- Colorado Christian University (zip code – 80920)
- University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (zip code 80918)
2023 BAH Rate Calculator
Colleges and Universities Colorado Springs
Anyone considering using the Post 9/11 GI Bill in Colorado Springs should know the following:
- You may be eligible for Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) if you are a full-time student.
- MHA is comparable to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents.
- MHA is calculated based on the zip code of where you physically attend classes.
- Those attending only online classes receive a set MHA of approximately $988.
- Up to $1,000 is available each year for books and supplies.
- The Post 9/11 GI Bill can be transferred to a spouse or dependents.
- The Yellow Ribbon Program offers financial support in specific situations where the GI Bill does not cover the cost of tuition.
- You may be eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill.
Local Colleges and Universities
The city is home to several colleges and universities. This is a partial list.
- University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (zip code 80918)
- Colorado College (zip code 80903)
- Pikes Peak Community College (zip code 80906)
- Nazarene Bible College (zip code 80920)
To find more Colorado Springs schools, use the free CollegeRecon School Finder tool.
Cost of Living in Colorado Springs
When budgeting, consider any applicable cost of living expenses – housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, childcare, and taxes.
A useful tool for calculating cost-of-living in Colorado Springs based on your salary is available at daveramsey.com.
Housing
Understanding the Colorado Springs housing area is important when deciding where to live. According to rentcafe.com, the average rent in Colorado Springs is $1,534. The most affordable neighborhoods include:
- Knob Hill – $1,234
- Old North End – $1,252
- Pikes Peak Park – $1,281
According to realtor.com, the average sale price of a home is $450,000, and Colorado Springs is currently a buyers-market – the supply of homes is greater than the demand. The cost of living in Colorado Springs reached a 23-year high in 2020.
To learn more about VA Loan Program benefits, you can use the free Eligibility Calculator from CollegeRecon.
Primary Education
For families with school-age children, where you live often influences where your children attend school. For families with or without children, the quality of area schools can influence housing costs and the resale value of a home.
There are no DoDEA schools in Colorado Springs. Colorado is an open-enrollment state – families can enroll in schools that are outside the district where they reside. According to Greatschools.com, some of the highest-ranking schools in the area are located in these districts:
- Widefield 3 School District
- Cheyenne Mountain 12 School District
- Colorado Springs 11 School District
- Academy 20 School District
For more information on charter or private schools and home school resources, refer to the Fort Carson School Support Services.
Employment Opportunities
According the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, five industries dominate the Colorado Springs employment landscape. These include:
- Aerospace & Defense
- Information Technology & Cybersecurity
- Healthcare & Medical Technologies
- Sports
- Manufacturing
In October 2020, Colorado Springs had a 6.0% unemployment rate, below the national unemployment rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Things to See and Do
Colorado Springs is surrounded by glorious mountains and peppered with quirky corners like Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City. Enjoy all the area has to offer while you are there!
- Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center
- Pikes Peak Cog Railway
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- The Broadmoor Resort
- Helen Hunt Falls
- The North Pole – Home of Santa’s Workshop
- “Penny Arcade” and Manitou Springs
- Poor Richard’s: Books, Gifts, Toys, Games, Coffee, Pizza
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About the author
Chelsea Bostelman is a registered nurse who stays busy with freelance writing, exploring Europe, and working on a graduate degree in nursing. She founded the Stuttgart Nurse Journal Club to provide underemployed nurses with free continuing education opportunities. A 10-year military spouse, she and her family spend their free time hiking, biking, and eating in southern Germany.