2026 BAH Rates — China Lake, CA
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for China Lake, CA (Military Housing Area CA021), 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 | $1,524 | $1,344 |
| E-2 | $1,524 | $1,344 |
| E-3 | $1,524 | $1,344 |
| E-4 | $1,524 | $1,344 |
| E-5 | $1,563 | $1,428 |
| E-6 | $1,767 | $1,485 |
| E-7 | $1,905 | $1,530 |
| E-8 | $2,058 | $1,611 |
| E-9 | $2,238 | $1,680 |
| W-1 | $1,785 | $1,527 |
| W-2 | $1,968 | $1,608 |
| W-3 | $2,157 | $1,683 |
| W-4 | $2,268 | $1,794 |
| W-5 | $2,403 | $1,941 |
| O-1E | $1,932 | $1,560 |
| O-2E | $2,130 | $1,650 |
| O-3E | $2,289 | $1,755 |
| O-1 | $1,596 | $1,482 |
| O-2 | $1,764 | $1,554 |
| O-3 | $2,154 | $1,689 |
| O-4 | $2,445 | $1,911 |
| O-5 | $2,658 | $1,995 |
| O-6 | $2,676 | $2,136 |
| O-7 | $2,694 | $2,172 |
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 China Lake, CA?
In 2026, an E-5 with dependents stationed in China Lake, CA receives $1,563 per month in tax-free BAH, or $1,428 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.