E-3 BAH Rates in Washington, DC (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-3 (Private First Class (PFC)) stationed in Washington, DC is $3,096 per month with dependents and $2,409 per month without dependents. This rate is $967 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 Washington is approximately $6,587.95 with dependents or $5,900.95 without.
E-3 BAH: Washington vs National Average
| Washington | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $3,096 | $2,129 | +$967 |
| Without Dependents | $2,409 | $1,683 | +$726 |
E-3 Total Monthly Compensation in Washington
Here is how E-3 pay breaks down for a service member with 2 years of service stationed in Washington:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $3,015 | $3,015 |
| BAH | $3,096 | $2,409 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $6,587.95 | $5,900.95 |
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 Washington
- E-4 — $3,096/mo
- E-5 — $3,132/mo
- E-6 — $3,759/mo
- E-7 — $3,855/mo
- O-1 — $3,213/mo
- O-2 — $3,753/mo
- O-3 — $4,020/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for E-3 in Washington?
The 2026 E-3 BAH rate in Washington is $3,096/mo with dependents and $2,409/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for E-3 in Washington?
An E-3 with 2 years of service in Washington earns approximately $6,587.95/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $3,015 + BAH $3,096 + BAS $476.95). Without dependents: $5,900.95/mo.
Is Washington BAH above or below average?
E-3 BAH in Washington is $967 above the national average of $2,129/mo with dependents.
E-3 BAH in Washington, Dc Metro Area, in context
An E-3 with dependents in Washington, Dc Metro Area draws $3,096/mo — 45.4% above the national average of $2,129 for this grade (37th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $2,409/mo, a $687 difference.
Worth knowing: promotion to E-4 does not raise BAH in this MHA — both grades draw $3,096/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.