E-3 BAH Rates in Monterey, CA (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-3 (Private First Class (PFC)) stationed in Monterey, CA is $3,249 per month with dependents and $2,493 per month without dependents. This rate is $1,120 above the national average for E-3.
BAH is a tax-free housing allowance paid to service members who do not live in government housing. Combined with E-3 base pay of $3,015/mo (at 2 years of service) and BAS of $476.95/mo, total monthly compensation in Monterey is approximately $6,740.95 with dependents or $5,984.95 without.
E-3 BAH: Monterey vs National Average
| Monterey | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $3,249 | $2,129 | +$1,120 |
| Without Dependents | $2,493 | $1,683 | +$810 |
E-3 Total Monthly Compensation in Monterey
Here is how E-3 pay breaks down for a service member with 2 years of service stationed in Monterey:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $3,015 | $3,015 |
| BAH | $3,249 | $2,493 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $6,740.95 | $5,984.95 |
Base pay shown for 2 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 Monterey
- E-4 — $3,249/mo
- E-5 — $3,465/mo
- E-6 — $3,867/mo
- E-7 — $4,218/mo
- O-1 — $3,519/mo
- O-2 — $3,864/mo
- O-3 — $4,824/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for E-3 in Monterey?
The 2026 E-3 BAH rate in Monterey is $3,249/mo with dependents and $2,493/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for E-3 in Monterey?
An E-3 with 2 years of service in Monterey earns approximately $6,740.95/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $3,015 + BAH $3,249 + BAS $476.95). Without dependents: $5,984.95/mo.
Is Monterey BAH above or below average?
E-3 BAH in Monterey is $1,120 above the national average of $2,129/mo with dependents.
E-3 BAH in Monterey, CA, in context
An E-3 with dependents in Monterey, CA draws $3,249/mo — 52.6% above the national average of $2,129 for this grade (29th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $2,493/mo, a $756 difference.
Worth knowing: promotion to E-4 does not raise BAH in this MHA — both grades draw $3,249/mo with dependents. The housing bump at junior grades often arrives later than the stripe.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.