Updated February 2026
2026 BAH Rates: Defense Language Institute
Monthly Basic Allowance for Housing rates for Defense Language Institute (Joint) in the Monterey military housing area (MHA: CA039), effective January 1, 2026.
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| Pay Grade | Monthly Rate | Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 | $3,249 | $38,988 |
| E-2 | $3,249 | $38,988 |
| E-3 | $3,249 | $38,988 |
| E-4 | $3,249 | $38,988 |
| E-5 | $3,465 | $41,580 |
| E-6 | $3,867 | $46,404 |
| E-7 | $4,218 | $50,616 |
| E-8 | $4,599 | $55,188 |
| E-9 | $4,956 | $59,472 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 | $3,894 | $46,728 |
| W-2 | $4,374 | $52,488 |
| W-3 | $4,842 | $58,104 |
| W-4 | $5,001 | $60,012 |
| W-5 | $5,196 | $62,352 |
| Commissioned Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E | $4,293 | $51,516 |
| O-2E | $4,773 | $57,276 |
| O-3E | $5,031 | $60,372 |
| Commissioned Officer | ||
| O-1 | $3,519 | $42,228 |
| O-2 | $3,864 | $46,368 |
| O-3 | $4,824 | $57,888 |
| O-4 | $5,259 | $63,108 |
| O-5 | $5,565 | $66,780 |
| O-6 | $5,613 | $67,356 |
| O-7 | $5,658 | $67,896 |
| Pay Grade | Monthly Rate | Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 | $2,493 | $29,916 |
| E-2 | $2,493 | $29,916 |
| E-3 | $2,493 | $29,916 |
| E-4 | $2,493 | $29,916 |
| E-5 | $2,844 | $34,128 |
| E-6 | $3,054 | $36,648 |
| E-7 | $3,258 | $39,096 |
| E-8 | $3,549 | $42,588 |
| E-9 | $3,717 | $44,604 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 | $3,183 | $38,196 |
| W-2 | $3,546 | $42,552 |
| W-3 | $3,720 | $44,640 |
| W-4 | $3,951 | $47,412 |
| W-5 | $4,305 | $51,660 |
| Commissioned Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E | $3,462 | $41,544 |
| O-2E | $3,639 | $43,668 |
| O-3E | $3,861 | $46,332 |
| Commissioned Officer | ||
| O-1 | $3,030 | $36,360 |
| O-2 | $3,396 | $40,752 |
| O-3 | $3,723 | $44,676 |
| O-4 | $4,245 | $50,940 |
| O-5 | $4,464 | $53,568 |
| O-6 | $4,821 | $57,852 |
| O-7 | $4,908 | $58,896 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Military Pay CalculatorHow BAH at Defense Language Institute compares (Monterey, CA MHA)
Defense Language Institute is the 27th most expensive of the 299 military housing areas nationwide — an E-5 with dependents draws $3,465/mo here, 51.4% above the national MHA average of $2,289. Rates this high usually track tight rental markets, so run the numbers before deciding to live on the local economy.
Statewide, this ranks 8th of 26 MHAs — between San Francisco, CA ($5,127/mo, highest) and China Lake, CA ($1,563/mo, lowest) for an E-5 with dependents.
Across enlisted grades here, having dependents adds an average of $856/mo (29.1%) to the allowance. The with/without-dependents gap is set per location, so it differs from base to base — use the tables above for your exact grade.
Comparisons computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs (county cost groups excluded). Benchmark grade: E-5 with dependents.