E-5 BAH Rates in Lake Charles, LA (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 (Sergeant (SGT)) stationed in Lake Charles, LA is $1,356 per month with dependents and $1,197 per month without dependents. This rate is $933 below 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 Lake Charles is approximately $5,942.95 with dependents or $5,783.95 without.
E-5 BAH: Lake Charles vs National Average
| Lake Charles | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $1,356 | $2,289 | −$933 |
| Without Dependents | $1,197 | $1,871 | −$674 |
E-5 Total Monthly Compensation in Lake Charles
Here is how E-5 pay breaks down for a service member with 6 years of service stationed in Lake Charles:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,110 | $4,110 |
| BAH | $1,356 | $1,197 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $5,942.95 | $5,783.95 |
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 Lake Charles
- E-3 — $1,287/mo
- E-4 — $1,287/mo
- E-6 — $1,626/mo
- E-7 — $1,755/mo
- O-1 — $1,398/mo
- O-2 — $1,623/mo
- O-3 — $1,977/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for E-5 in Lake Charles?
The 2026 E-5 BAH rate in Lake Charles is $1,356/mo with dependents and $1,197/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for E-5 in Lake Charles?
An E-5 with 6 years of service in Lake Charles earns approximately $5,942.95/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $4,110 + BAH $1,356 + BAS $476.95). Without dependents: $5,783.95/mo.
Is Lake Charles BAH above or below average?
E-5 BAH in Lake Charles is $933 below the national average of $2,289/mo with dependents.
E-5 BAH in Lake Charles, LA, in context
An E-5 with dependents in Lake Charles, LA draws $1,356/mo — 40.8% below the national average of $2,289 for this grade (287th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $1,197/mo, a $159 difference.
Promotion changes housing money here: pinning on E-6 raises BAH in this MHA by $270/mo (to $1,626), on top of the base-pay increase.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.