O-1 BAH Rates in Washington, DC (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an O-1 (Second Lieutenant (2LT)) stationed in Washington, DC is $3,213 per month with dependents and $3,054 per month without dependents. This rate is $878 above the national average for O-1.
BAH is a tax-free housing allowance paid to service members who do not live in government housing. Combined with O-1 base pay of $4,320/mo (at 2 years of service) and BAS of $328.48/mo, total monthly compensation in Washington is approximately $7,861.48 with dependents or $7,702.48 without.
O-1 BAH: Washington vs National Average
| Washington | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $3,213 | $2,335 | +$878 |
| Without Dependents | $3,054 | $1,975 | +$1,079 |
O-1 Total Monthly Compensation in Washington
Here is how O-1 pay breaks down for a service member with 2 years of service stationed in Washington:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,320 | $4,320 |
| BAH | $3,213 | $3,054 |
| BAS | $328.48 | $328.48 |
| Total | $7,861.48 | $7,702.48 |
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-3 — $3,096/mo
- E-4 — $3,096/mo
- E-5 — $3,132/mo
- E-6 — $3,759/mo
- E-7 — $3,855/mo
- O-2 — $3,753/mo
- O-3 — $4,020/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for O-1 in Washington?
The 2026 O-1 BAH rate in Washington is $3,213/mo with dependents and $3,054/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for O-1 in Washington?
An O-1 with 2 years of service in Washington earns approximately $7,861.48/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $4,320 + BAH $3,213 + BAS $328.48). Without dependents: $7,702.48/mo.
Is Washington BAH above or below average?
O-1 BAH in Washington is $878 above the national average of $2,335/mo with dependents.
O-1 BAH in Washington, Dc Metro Area, in context
An O-1 with dependents in Washington, Dc Metro Area draws $3,213/mo — 37.6% above the national average of $2,335 for this grade (46th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $3,054/mo, a $159 difference.
Promotion changes housing money here: pinning on O-2 raises BAH in this MHA by $540/mo (to $3,753), on top of the base-pay increase.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.