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NSA Bahrain

Naval Support Activity Bahrain · Manama, Bahrain

E-5 rent ceiling
$2,074
O-3 rent ceiling
$2,424
Avg home price
Not applicable; expat rental market only for most assignments
Branch
Navy
Navy6,000+ military and family members

Naval Support Activity Bahrain is the headquarters of US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet, making it one of the most operationally significant Navy installations in the world. Located in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, the installation sits on a small island nation in the Persian Gulf and provides access to a cosmopolitan international city with a blend of Arab culture and modern development. The assignment offers unique career opportunities and an international lifestyle.

These are 1 October 2026 DTMO rent ceilings for members with dependents, converted at that pay period’s exchange rate. OHA reimburses the rent on the lease up to the ceiling. Unused ceiling is not paid. A separate utility allowance is paid on top, and the without-dependents ceiling is 90 percent. Dollar amounts move on the 1st and 16th. Confirm the figure on the DTMO OHA lookup before you sign a lease. How OHA differs from BAH

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Where Naval Support Activity Bahrain Is

Approximate installation location. Hold ⌘/Ctrl and scroll to zoom.

Neighborhoods

Saar

Expatriate community

$2,200 to $3,200/mo

Most popular with American military families, western-friendly amenities

Budaiya

Residential village

$2,000 to $2,800/mo

Quiet leafy area on the northwest coast, good schools nearby

Amwaj Islands

Modern development

$2,500 to $3,500/mo

Newer waterfront development, marina, restaurants, more international

On-base housing

Military community

Government quarters provided/mo

Limited on-base housing; most families live in local communities with OHA

Schools

Ratings are a planning snapshot, not an official state or DoDEA accountability score. Confirm the campus, boundaries, and enrollment with the School Liaison before you sign a lease.

Bahrain School (DoDEA)

Grades K-12

Consistently one of the highest-rated DoDEA schools worldwide, excellent academics

St. Christopher School

Grades K-13

British curriculum international school, popular alternative for military families

Nadeen International School

Grades K-12

International Baccalaureate curriculum, diverse student body

Housing Intel

On-Post Housing

Very limited on-base housing; most families receive OHA and live in local neighborhoods

Off-Post Rental Market

Saar and Budaiya are the usual off-base areas. OHA reimburses actual rent up to the ceiling.

Commute

Most military families live in Saar or Budaiya and commute 15 to 25 minutes to the naval base.

Installation Highlights

  • Fifth Fleet headquarters assignment with unmatched strategic and career development opportunities
  • Bahrain School (DoDEA) is rated among the best Department of Defense schools worldwide
  • Cosmopolitan Manama with world-class shopping at City Centre and diverse dining
  • Tax-free income, OHA, and COLA combine to make the financial package very attractive
  • Easy access to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and European destinations for regional travel

Official sources

Government pages for this guide. Confirm the figure for the year you are filing or the orders you are executing.

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