2026 BAH Rates — Lake Charles, LA
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for Lake Charles, LA (Military Housing Area LA370), 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 | $1,287 | $1,188 |
| E-2 | $1,287 | $1,188 |
| E-3 | $1,287 | $1,188 |
| E-4 | $1,287 | $1,188 |
| E-5 | $1,356 | $1,197 |
| E-6 | $1,626 | $1,218 |
| E-7 | $1,755 | $1,317 |
| E-8 | $1,893 | $1,419 |
| E-9 | $2,061 | $1,545 |
| W-1 | $1,644 | $1,278 |
| W-2 | $1,809 | $1,413 |
| W-3 | $1,983 | $1,548 |
| W-4 | $2,088 | $1,650 |
| W-5 | $2,223 | $1,785 |
| O-1E | $1,776 | $1,353 |
| O-2E | $1,956 | $1,473 |
| O-3E | $2,109 | $1,617 |
| O-1 | $1,398 | $1,215 |
| O-2 | $1,623 | $1,338 |
| O-3 | $1,977 | $1,551 |
| O-4 | $2,265 | $1,755 |
| O-5 | $2,472 | $1,854 |
| O-6 | $2,490 | $1,962 |
| O-7 | $2,502 | $1,992 |
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 Lake Charles, LA?
In 2026, an E-5 with dependents stationed in Lake Charles, LA receives $1,356 per month in tax-free BAH, or $1,197 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.