E-5 BAH Rates in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith, AR (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 (Sergeant (SGT)) stationed in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith, AR is $1,263 per month with dependents and $996 per month without dependents. This rate is $1,026 below the national average for E-5.
BAH is a tax-free housing allowance paid to service members who do not live in government housing. Combined with E-5 base pay of $4,110/mo (at 6 years of service) and BAS of $476.95/mo, total monthly compensation in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith is approximately $5,849.95 with dependents or $5,582.95 without.
E-5 BAH: Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith vs National Average
| Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $1,263 | $2,289 | −$1,026 |
| Without Dependents | $996 | $1,871 | −$875 |
E-5 Total Monthly Compensation in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith
Here is how E-5 pay breaks down for a service member with 6 years of service stationed in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,110 | $4,110 |
| BAH | $1,263 | $996 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $5,849.95 | $5,582.95 |
Base pay shown for 6 years of service. BAH and BAS are tax-free. Actual take-home pay will differ after federal tax on base pay. Use our Military Pay Calculator for a personalized estimate.
Other Ranks in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith
- E-3 — $1,173/mo
- E-4 — $1,173/mo
- E-6 — $1,680/mo
- E-7 — $1,785/mo
- O-1 — $1,320/mo
- O-2 — $1,677/mo
- O-3 — $1,962/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for E-5 in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith?
The 2026 E-5 BAH rate in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith is $1,263/mo with dependents and $996/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for E-5 in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith?
An E-5 with 6 years of service in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith earns approximately $5,849.95/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $4,110 + BAH $1,263 + BAS $476.95). Without dependents: $5,582.95/mo.
Is Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith BAH above or below average?
E-5 BAH in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith is $1,026 below the national average of $2,289/mo with dependents.
E-5 BAH in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith, AR, in context
An E-5 with dependents in Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith, AR draws $1,263/mo — 44.8% below the national average of $2,289 for this grade (292nd of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $996/mo, a $267 difference.
Promotion changes housing money here: pinning on E-6 raises BAH in this MHA by $417/mo (to $1,680), on top of the base-pay increase.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.