E-5 BAH Rates in San Diego, CA (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 (Sergeant (SGT)) stationed in San Diego, CA is $3,975 per month with dependents and $3,147 per month without dependents. This rate is $1,686 above 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 San Diego is approximately $8,561.95 with dependents or $7,733.95 without.
E-5 BAH: San Diego vs National Average
| San Diego | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $3,975 | $2,289 | +$1,686 |
| Without Dependents | $3,147 | $1,871 | +$1,276 |
E-5 Total Monthly Compensation in San Diego
Here is how E-5 pay breaks down for a service member with 6 years of service stationed in San Diego:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,110 | $4,110 |
| BAH | $3,975 | $3,147 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $8,561.95 | $7,733.95 |
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 San Diego
- E-3 — $3,666/mo
- E-4 — $3,666/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-5 in San Diego?
The 2026 E-5 BAH rate in San Diego is $3,975/mo with dependents and $3,147/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for E-5 in San Diego?
An E-5 with 6 years of service in San Diego earns approximately $8,561.95/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $4,110 + BAH $3,975 + BAS $476.95). Without dependents: $7,733.95/mo.
Is San Diego BAH above or below average?
E-5 BAH in San Diego is $1,686 above the national average of $2,289/mo with dependents.
E-5 BAH in San Diego, CA, in context
An E-5 with dependents in San Diego, CA draws $3,975/mo — 73.7% above the national average of $2,289 for this grade (12th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $3,147/mo, a $828 difference.
Promotion changes housing money here: pinning on E-6 raises BAH in this MHA by $429/mo (to $4,404), on top of the base-pay increase.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.