2026 BAH Rates — Washington, DC Metro Area
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for Washington, DC Metro Area (Military Housing Area DC053), 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 | $3,096 | $2,409 |
| E-2 | $3,096 | $2,409 |
| E-3 | $3,096 | $2,409 |
| E-4 | $3,096 | $2,409 |
| E-5 | $3,132 | $2,832 |
| E-6 | $3,759 | $3,057 |
| E-7 | $3,855 | $3,099 |
| E-8 | $3,957 | $3,261 |
| E-9 | $4,128 | $3,447 |
| W-1 | $3,780 | $3,096 |
| W-2 | $3,894 | $3,258 |
| W-3 | $4,023 | $3,471 |
| W-4 | $4,167 | $3,777 |
| W-5 | $4,350 | $3,876 |
| O-1E | $3,870 | $3,129 |
| O-2E | $4,002 | $3,405 |
| O-3E | $4,197 | $3,753 |
| O-1 | $3,213 | $3,054 |
| O-2 | $3,753 | $3,126 |
| O-3 | $4,020 | $3,531 |
| O-4 | $4,410 | $3,855 |
| O-5 | $4,692 | $3,909 |
| O-6 | $4,731 | $3,999 |
| O-7 | $4,770 | $4,071 |
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 Washington, DC Metro Area, DC?
In 2026, an E-5 with dependents stationed in Washington, DC Metro Area receives $3,132 per month in tax-free BAH, or $2,832 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.