2026 BAH Rates — Charleston, SC
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for Charleston, SC (Military Housing Area SC259), effective January 1, 2026. BAH is a tax-free monthly allowance set by your duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and whether you have dependents.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,220 | $1,755 |
| E-2 | $2,220 | $1,755 |
| E-3 | $2,220 | $1,755 |
| E-4 | $2,220 | $1,755 |
| E-5 | $2,385 | $1,941 |
| E-6 | $2,616 | $2,064 |
| E-7 | $2,652 | $2,223 |
| E-8 | $2,694 | $2,439 |
| E-9 | $2,769 | $2,496 |
| W-1 | $2,634 | $2,172 |
| W-2 | $2,667 | $2,436 |
| W-3 | $2,724 | $2,508 |
| W-4 | $2,790 | $2,619 |
| W-5 | $2,880 | $2,661 |
| O-1E | $2,655 | $2,382 |
| O-2E | $2,712 | $2,484 |
| O-3E | $2,802 | $2,607 |
| O-1 | $2,421 | $2,049 |
| O-2 | $2,613 | $2,334 |
| O-3 | $2,721 | $2,529 |
| O-4 | $2,904 | $2,646 |
| O-5 | $3,039 | $2,664 |
| O-6 | $3,060 | $2,697 |
| O-7 | $3,081 | $2,742 |
Estimate your own pay with the BAH calculator and the full military pay calculator. See all BAH locations or the by-state overview.
Frequently asked questions
How much is BAH in Charleston, SC?
In 2026, an E-5 with dependents stationed in Charleston, SC receives $2,385 per month in tax-free BAH, or $1,941 without dependents. Rates vary by pay grade — see the full table above.
Is BAH taxable?
No. BAH is a tax-free housing allowance, which makes it worth more than the same amount of taxable base pay.