BAH Calculator
Find your housing allowance by duty station ZIP, pay grade and dependents.
Your housing details
Use your permanent duty station ZIP. O-1E–O-3E have separate published rates; O-7 and higher share one rate bucket.
SAN DIEGO, CA
Official 2026$47,700 per year · MHA CA038
−$12.00 / month compared with 2025 for the same ZIP, grade and dependency status.
Check official ZIP lookupNot affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense, DFAS, or any military service. Figures are for information only — your LES is the authoritative source.
Housing allowance over time
2013–2026 · same ZIP, grade and dependents| Year | Housing area | Monthly BAH |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $3,975.00 |
| 2025 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $3,987.00 |
| 2024 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $3,882.00 |
| 2023 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $3,792.00 |
| 2022 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,871.00 |
| 2021 | SAN DIEGO,, CA | $2,949.00 |
| 2020 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,850.00 |
| 2019 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,643.00 |
| 2018 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,532.00 |
| 2017 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,598.00 |
| 2016 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,307.00 |
| 2015 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,325.00 |
| 2014 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,052.00 |
| 2013 | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,139.00 |
| Pay grade | Without dependents | With dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,763.00 | $3,666.00 |
| E-2 | $2,763.00 | $3,666.00 |
| E-3 | $2,763.00 | $3,666.00 |
| E-4 | $2,763.00 | $3,666.00 |
| E-5 | $3,147.00 | $3,975.00 |
| E-6 | $3,387.00 | $4,404.00 |
| E-7 | $3,678.00 | $4,446.00 |
| E-8 | $4,065.00 | $4,488.00 |
| E-9 | $4,188.00 | $4,671.00 |
| W-1 | $3,564.00 | $4,425.00 |
| W-2 | $4,062.00 | $4,464.00 |
| W-3 | $4,206.00 | $4,521.00 |
| W-4 | $4,410.00 | $4,731.00 |
| W-5 | $4,455.00 | $4,992.00 |
| O-1E | $3,972.00 | $4,449.00 |
| O-2E | $4,161.00 | $4,506.00 |
| O-3E | $4,398.00 | $4,770.00 |
| O-1 | $3,351.00 | $4,032.00 |
| O-2 | $3,873.00 | $4,401.00 |
| O-3 | $4,248.00 | $4,518.00 |
| O-4 | $4,440.00 | $5,082.00 |
| O-5 | $4,458.00 | $5,493.00 |
| O-6 | $4,494.00 | $5,541.00 |
| O-7 / O-7+ | $4,575.00 | $5,586.00 |
Published rates and your entitlement.
All 15 official annual/temporary versions are imported. Current 2026 data covers 338 housing areas and 40,959 ZIP mappings; 52 separately captured official query amounts match. The 2016 source has 37 malformed ZIP mappings; those combinations remain unavailable. Individual rate protection can preserve an earlier higher amount; this calculator does not determine protected rates, OHA or non-locality allowances.
How your BAH rate is set
- Duty station: the rate follows the ZIP of your permanent duty station, not where you choose to live or your home of record.
- Pay grade: each grade has its own rate. A promotion moves you to the new grade’s rate.
- Dependents: one dependent qualifies you for the with-dependents rate. More dependents do not increase it.
- Timing: new rates are announced in December and take effect January 1.
Example: E-5 with dependents in San Diego
The 2026 rate for ZIP 92101 is $3,975.00 per month, compared with $3,987.00 in 2025, a change of −$12.00.
Because the rate went down, individual rate protection lets a member already stationed there keep the 2025 amount, as long as they do not move to a new duty station, drop in grade or change dependency status. A member who arrives in 2026 receives the 2026 rate.
Is BAH taxable?
No. BAH is not subject to federal income tax or FICA. Only basic pay and most special pays are taxable.
Do I get BAH if I live in the barracks or on base?
Members assigned to government quarters, such as barracks, generally do not receive locality BAH; some single members receive a small partial rate instead. In privatized base housing, BAH is usually paid and then forwarded to the housing company as rent.
Does BAH depend on where I live or where I am stationed?
Where you are stationed. If you live outside the housing area, you still receive the rate for your permanent duty station ZIP.