2026 BAH Rates — Essex Co, MA
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for Essex Co, MA (Military Housing Area MA125), 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 | $3,282 | $2,589 |
| E-2 | $3,282 | $2,589 |
| E-3 | $3,282 | $2,589 |
| E-4 | $3,282 | $2,589 |
| E-5 | $3,477 | $2,910 |
| E-6 | $3,744 | $3,102 |
| E-7 | $4,032 | $3,288 |
| E-8 | $4,344 | $3,537 |
| E-9 | $4,755 | $3,606 |
| W-1 | $3,765 | $3,225 |
| W-2 | $4,158 | $3,534 |
| W-3 | $4,545 | $3,618 |
| W-4 | $4,833 | $3,807 |
| W-5 | $5,181 | $4,101 |
| O-1E | $4,089 | $3,474 |
| O-2E | $4,488 | $3,591 |
| O-3E | $4,887 | $3,735 |
| O-1 | $3,516 | $3,084 |
| O-2 | $3,741 | $3,417 |
| O-3 | $4,533 | $3,642 |
| O-4 | $5,301 | $4,053 |
| O-5 | $5,853 | $4,389 |
| O-6 | $5,904 | $4,524 |
| O-7 | $5,952 | $4,605 |
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 Essex Co, MA?
In 2026, an E-5 with dependents stationed in Essex Co, MA receives $3,477 per month in tax-free BAH, or $2,910 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.