O-3 BAH Rates in Washington, DC (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an O-3 (Captain (CPT)) stationed in Washington, DC is $4,020 per month with dependents and $3,531 per month without dependents. This rate is $1,161 above the national average for O-3.
BAH is a tax-free housing allowance paid to service members who do not live in government housing. Combined with O-3 base pay of $7,737/mo (at 6 years of service) and BAS of $328.48/mo, total monthly compensation in Washington is approximately $12,085.48 with dependents or $11,596.48 without.
O-3 BAH: Washington vs National Average
| Washington | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $4,020 | $2,859 | +$1,161 |
| Without Dependents | $3,531 | $2,493 | +$1,038 |
O-3 Total Monthly Compensation in Washington
Here is how O-3 pay breaks down for a service member with 6 years of service stationed in Washington:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $7,737 | $7,737 |
| BAH | $4,020 | $3,531 |
| BAS | $328.48 | $328.48 |
| Total | $12,085.48 | $11,596.48 |
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 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-1 — $3,213/mo
- O-2 — $3,753/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for O-3 in Washington?
The 2026 O-3 BAH rate in Washington is $4,020/mo with dependents and $3,531/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for O-3 in Washington?
An O-3 with 6 years of service in Washington earns approximately $12,085.48/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $7,737 + BAH $4,020 + BAS $328.48). Without dependents: $11,596.48/mo.
Is Washington BAH above or below average?
O-3 BAH in Washington is $1,161 above the national average of $2,859/mo with dependents.
O-3 BAH in Washington, Dc Metro Area, in context
An O-3 with dependents in Washington, Dc Metro Area draws $4,020/mo — 40.6% above the national average of $2,859 for this grade (38th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $3,531/mo, a $489 difference.
Promotion changes housing money here: pinning on O-4 raises BAH in this MHA by $390/mo (to $4,410), on top of the base-pay increase.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.