7 MILITARY HOUSING AREAS IN CALIFORNIA -- 2026 RATES
2026 BAH Rates in California -- Every Military Installation
California installations span from Camp Pendleton and MCAS Miramar in the south to Travis AFB in the north. High cost-of-living areas drive some of the highest BAH rates nationwide.
7
MHAs
Installations
$3,975
San Diego
Highest E-5 w/ Deps
$2,001
Fort Irwin-Barstow
Lowest E-5 w/ Deps
100%
Tax-free
Tax Status
BAH Rates by Installation -- California
Monthly rates with dependents. Sorted by E-5 rate (highest first).
| Installation | E-5 w/ Deps | E-7 w/ Deps | O-3 w/ Deps |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | $3,975 | $4,446 | $4,518 |
| MCAS Miramar, CA | $3,975 | $4,446 | $4,518 |
| Camp Pendleton, CA | $3,963 | $4,494 | $4,659 |
| Travis AFB-Fairfield, CA | $3,369 | $3,516 | $3,537 |
| Barstow-Fort Irwin, CA | $2,001 | $2,547 | $2,748 |
| Twentynine Palms, CA | $2,001 | $2,547 | $2,748 |
| Fort Irwin-Barstow, CA | $2,001 | $2,547 | $2,748 |
Source: DoD BAH rate tables, effective January 1, 2026. All rates shown with dependents.
Top Installations in California
Camp Pendleton, CATax-free
E-5 w/ Deps
$3,963
E-7 w/ Deps
$4,494
O-3 w/ Deps
$4,659
Travis AFB-Fairfield, CATax-free
E-5 w/ Deps
$3,369
E-7 w/ Deps
$3,516
O-3 w/ Deps
$3,537
Barstow-Fort Irwin, CATax-free
E-5 w/ Deps
$2,001
E-7 w/ Deps
$2,547
O-3 w/ Deps
$2,748
Twentynine Palms, CATax-free
E-5 w/ Deps
$2,001
E-7 w/ Deps
$2,547
O-3 w/ Deps
$2,748
Fort Irwin-Barstow, CATax-free
E-5 w/ Deps
$2,001
E-7 w/ Deps
$2,547
O-3 w/ Deps
$2,748
How BAH Works in California
- BAH is tax-free and paid monthly alongside your base pay
- Rates are set by Military Housing Area (MHA) -- not your specific ZIP code
- "With dependents" rate applies if you have a spouse, child, or other qualifying dependent
- You keep the difference if you find housing below your BAH rate
- Rates are updated annually on January 1 and guaranteed not to decrease mid-year
- California has 7 distinct MHAs, each with unique rates based on local housing costs
Calculate your total military compensation -- base pay + BAH + BAS in one place.
Browse BAH Rates by State
2026 rates per official DoD BAH tables, effective January 1, 2026. Always verify your specific rate with the official DoD BAH calculator. Source: Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO).