E-4 BAH Rates in San Diego, CA (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-4 (Specialist/Corporal) stationed in San Diego, CA is $3,666 per month with dependents and $2,763 per month without dependents. This rate is $1,537 above the national average for E-4.
BAH is a tax-free housing allowance paid to service members who do not live in government housing. Combined with E-4 base pay of $3,658.5/mo (at 4 years of service) and BAS of $476.95/mo, total monthly compensation in San Diego is approximately $7,801.45 with dependents or $6,898.45 without.
E-4 BAH: San Diego vs National Average
| San Diego | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $3,666 | $2,129 | +$1,537 |
| Without Dependents | $2,763 | $1,683 | +$1,080 |
E-4 Total Monthly Compensation in San Diego
Here is how E-4 pay breaks down for a service member with 4 years of service stationed in San Diego:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $3,658.5 | $3,658.5 |
| BAH | $3,666 | $2,763 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $7,801.45 | $6,898.45 |
Base pay shown for 4 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 San Diego
- E-3 — $3,666/mo
- E-5 — $3,975/mo
- E-6 — $4,404/mo
- E-7 — $4,446/mo
- O-1 — $4,032/mo
- O-2 — $4,401/mo
- O-3 — $4,518/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for E-4 in San Diego?
The 2026 E-4 BAH rate in San Diego is $3,666/mo with dependents and $2,763/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for E-4 in San Diego?
An E-4 with 4 years of service in San Diego earns approximately $7,801.45/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $3,658.5 + BAH $3,666 + BAS $476.95). Without dependents: $6,898.45/mo.
Is San Diego BAH above or below average?
E-4 BAH in San Diego is $1,537 above the national average of $2,129/mo with dependents.
E-4 BAH in San Diego, CA, in context
An E-4 with dependents in San Diego, CA draws $3,666/mo — 72.2% above the national average of $2,129 for this grade (13th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $2,763/mo, a $903 difference.
Promotion changes housing money here: pinning on E-5 raises BAH in this MHA by $309/mo (to $3,975), on top of the base-pay increase.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.