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Naval Station Norfolk: rent or buy? (2026)
E-5 with dependents: $2,430/mo BAH.
- Typical 3BR rent: $2,376 (HUD FY2026). You keep about $54/mo.
- Typical home: $310,877 in Norfolk VA (Zillow, Sept 2026).
- VA loan, $0 down: about $2,587/mo with tax and insurance (est.).
- O-3 with dependents: $2,694/mo BAH.
Your plan for NS Norfolk
2026 BAH at Naval Station Norfolk
Military Housing Area VA298: Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA. Duty ZIP 23511. Monthly rates from DTMO, effective Jan 1, 2026. Confirm your ZIP on the DTMO lookup.
| Grade | With dependents | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,229 | $1,707 |
| E-2 | $2,229 | $1,707 |
| E-3 | $2,229 | $1,707 |
| E-4 | $2,229 | $1,707 |
| E-5 | $2,430 | $1,908 |
| E-6 | $2,559 | $2,043 |
| E-7 | $2,604 | $2,235 |
| E-8 | $2,661 | $2,463 |
| E-9 | $2,796 | $2,487 |
| W-1 | $2,574 | $2,166 |
| W-2 | $2,628 | $2,460 |
| W-3 | $2,697 | $2,496 |
| W-4 | $2,832 | $2,562 |
| W-5 | $3,000 | $2,616 |
| O-1E | $2,613 | $2,427 |
| O-2E | $2,685 | $2,481 |
| O-3E | $2,859 | $2,547 |
| O-1 | $2,454 | $2,022 |
| O-2 | $2,556 | $2,367 |
| O-3 | $2,694 | $2,505 |
| O-4 | $3,054 | $2,601 |
| O-5 | $3,318 | $2,625 |
| O-6 | $3,342 | $2,673 |
| O-7+ | $3,366 | $2,718 |
Rent near NS Norfolk
| Size | HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,492 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,512 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,713 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,376 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,797 |
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC HUD Metro FMR Area (Norfolk VA). 40th-percentile rent including utilities. Zillow ZORI (all sizes, Sept 2026): $1,749.
Buying with a VA loan
- Typical home value
- $310,877 (Zillow ZHVI, Norfolk VA, Sept 2026)
- Loan, $0 down
- $317,561 incl. 2.15% funding fee (first use)
- Principal + interest
- $2,199/mo at 7.4% (Freddie Mac avg, 2026-10-15)
- Property tax (est.)
- $259/mo (1.0% of value, Census ACS)
- Insurance (placeholder)
- $130/mo
- Total (est.)
- $2,587/mo
- 2026 loan limit
- $832,750 (only matters with partial entitlement)
All numbers are estimates for planning. BAH: DTMO 2026. Rent: HUD FY2026 FMR. Home value: Zillow ZHVI, Sept 2026. Rate: Freddie Mac 7.4% (2026-10-15). Tax: Census ACS county median. Insurance: our placeholder (0.5% of value, min $1,200/yr), not a quote.
FAQ
What is the 2026 BAH at Naval Station Norfolk?
For an E-5 with dependents it's $2,430 a month; without dependents $1,908. O-3 with dependents: $2,694. Military Housing Area VA298 (Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA). Source: DTMO 2026 rates.
How much is rent near Naval Station Norfolk?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Norfolk VA: $1,713 for 2 bedrooms, $2,376 for 3 bedrooms, including utilities. Zillow's typical observed rent (all sizes) was $1,749 in Sept 2026.
Should I buy a house at Naval Station Norfolk?
It depends on how long you'll stay and whether you'd keep it as a rental. Run the planner above with your rank and plans.
What's the VA loan limit near Naval Station Norfolk?
With full entitlement there's no VA loan limit. With partial entitlement, VA uses the 2026 FHFA one-unit limit for Norfolk VA: $832,750.