2026 BAH Rates — Wilmington, NC
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for Wilmington, NC (Military Housing Area NC186), 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 | $1,932 | $1,491 |
| E-2 | $1,932 | $1,491 |
| E-3 | $1,932 | $1,491 |
| E-4 | $1,932 | $1,491 |
| E-5 | $2,040 | $1,701 |
| E-6 | $2,502 | $1,878 |
| E-7 | $2,547 | $1,932 |
| E-8 | $2,595 | $2,136 |
| E-9 | $2,736 | $2,271 |
| W-1 | $2,523 | $1,905 |
| W-2 | $2,568 | $2,133 |
| W-3 | $2,631 | $2,289 |
| W-4 | $2,775 | $2,508 |
| W-5 | $2,958 | $2,559 |
| O-1E | $2,553 | $2,037 |
| O-2E | $2,619 | $2,241 |
| O-3E | $2,805 | $2,496 |
| O-1 | $2,100 | $1,818 |
| O-2 | $2,496 | $2,007 |
| O-3 | $2,628 | $2,334 |
| O-4 | $3,018 | $2,541 |
| O-5 | $3,303 | $2,565 |
| O-6 | $3,327 | $2,607 |
| O-7 | $3,351 | $2,652 |
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 Wilmington, NC?
In 2026, an E-5 with dependents stationed in Wilmington, NC receives $2,040 per month in tax-free BAH, or $1,701 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.