2026 BAH Rates — El Centro, CA
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for El Centro, CA (Military Housing Area CA420), 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 | $1,905 | $1,500 |
| E-2 | $1,905 | $1,500 |
| E-3 | $1,905 | $1,500 |
| E-4 | $1,905 | $1,500 |
| E-5 | $1,986 | $1,704 |
| E-6 | $2,151 | $1,824 |
| E-7 | $2,334 | $1,905 |
| E-8 | $2,541 | $2,025 |
| E-9 | $2,721 | $2,061 |
| W-1 | $2,166 | $1,890 |
| W-2 | $2,418 | $2,022 |
| W-3 | $2,673 | $2,070 |
| W-4 | $2,739 | $2,187 |
| W-5 | $2,823 | $2,382 |
| O-1E | $2,373 | $1,983 |
| O-2E | $2,634 | $2,052 |
| O-3E | $2,751 | $2,139 |
| O-1 | $2,013 | $1,818 |
| O-2 | $2,148 | $1,962 |
| O-3 | $2,664 | $2,085 |
| O-4 | $2,847 | $2,346 |
| O-5 | $2,976 | $2,460 |
| O-6 | $2,997 | $2,652 |
| O-7 | $3,018 | $2,697 |
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 El Centro, CA?
In 2026, an E-5 with dependents stationed in El Centro, CA receives $1,986 per month in tax-free BAH, or $1,704 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.