Tinker AFB: rent or buy? (2026)
E-5 with dependents: $1,644/mo BAH.
- Typical 3BR rent: $1,675 (HUD FY2026). About $31/mo over BAH.
- Typical home: $221,970 in Oklahoma County OK (Zillow, Sept 2026).
- VA loan, $0 down: about $1,849/mo with tax and insurance (est.).
- O-3 with dependents: $1,974/mo BAH.
Your plan for Tinker
2026 BAH at Tinker AFB
Military Housing Area OK239: Oklahoma City, OK. Duty ZIP 73145. Monthly rates from DTMO, effective Jan 1, 2026. Confirm your ZIP on the DTMO lookup.
| Grade | With dependents | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,542 | $1,248 |
| E-2 | $1,542 | $1,248 |
| E-3 | $1,542 | $1,248 |
| E-4 | $1,542 | $1,248 |
| E-5 | $1,644 | $1,365 |
| E-6 | $1,854 | $1,443 |
| E-7 | $1,896 | $1,542 |
| E-8 | $1,944 | $1,692 |
| E-9 | $2,034 | $1,743 |
| W-1 | $1,869 | $1,518 |
| W-2 | $1,914 | $1,689 |
| W-3 | $1,977 | $1,752 |
| W-4 | $2,055 | $1,854 |
| W-5 | $2,157 | $1,905 |
| O-1E | $1,902 | $1,641 |
| O-2E | $1,965 | $1,731 |
| O-3E | $2,070 | $1,842 |
| O-1 | $1,677 | $1,434 |
| O-2 | $1,851 | $1,614 |
| O-3 | $1,974 | $1,773 |
| O-4 | $2,184 | $1,890 |
| O-5 | $2,337 | $1,911 |
| O-6 | $2,355 | $1,953 |
| O-7+ | $2,367 | $1,986 |
Rent near Tinker
| Size | HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $939 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,017 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,244 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,675 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,857 |
Oklahoma City, OK HUD Metro FMR Area (Oklahoma County OK). 40th-percentile rent including utilities. Zillow ZORI (all sizes, Sept 2026): $1,341.
Buying with a VA loan
- Typical home value
- $221,970 (Zillow ZHVI, Oklahoma County OK, Sept 2026)
- Loan, $0 down
- $226,742 incl. 2.15% funding fee (first use)
- Principal + interest
- $1,570/mo at 7.4% (Freddie Mac avg, 2026-10-15)
- Property tax (est.)
- $179/mo (0.97% of value, Census ACS)
- Insurance (placeholder)
- $100/mo
- Total (est.)
- $1,849/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 Tinker AFB?
For an E-5 with dependents it's $1,644 a month; without dependents $1,365. O-3 with dependents: $1,974. Military Housing Area OK239 (Oklahoma City, OK). Source: DTMO 2026 rates.
How much is rent near Tinker AFB?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Oklahoma County OK: $1,244 for 2 bedrooms, $1,675 for 3 bedrooms, including utilities. Zillow's typical observed rent (all sizes) was $1,341 in Sept 2026.
Should I buy a house at Tinker AFB?
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 Tinker AFB?
With full entitlement there's no VA loan limit. With partial entitlement, VA uses the 2026 FHFA one-unit limit for Oklahoma County OK: $832,750.