O-2 BAH Rates in Lake Charles, LA (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an O-2 (First Lieutenant (1LT)) stationed in Lake Charles, LA is $1,623 per month with dependents and $1,338 per month without dependents. This rate is $985 below the national average for O-2.
BAH is a tax-free housing allowance paid to service members who do not live in government housing. Combined with O-2 base pay of $6,484.5/mo (at 4 years of service) and BAS of $328.48/mo, total monthly compensation in Lake Charles is approximately $8,435.98 with dependents or $8,150.98 without.
O-2 BAH: Lake Charles vs National Average
| Lake Charles | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $1,623 | $2,608 | −$985 |
| Without Dependents | $1,338 | $2,243 | −$905 |
O-2 Total Monthly Compensation in Lake Charles
Here is how O-2 pay breaks down for a service member with 4 years of service stationed in Lake Charles:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $6,484.5 | $6,484.5 |
| BAH | $1,623 | $1,338 |
| BAS | $328.48 | $328.48 |
| Total | $8,435.98 | $8,150.98 |
Base pay shown for 4 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-5 — $1,356/mo
- E-6 — $1,626/mo
- E-7 — $1,755/mo
- O-1 — $1,398/mo
- O-3 — $1,977/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for O-2 in Lake Charles?
The 2026 O-2 BAH rate in Lake Charles is $1,623/mo with dependents and $1,338/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for O-2 in Lake Charles?
An O-2 with 4 years of service in Lake Charles earns approximately $8,435.98/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $6,484.5 + BAH $1,623 + BAS $328.48). Without dependents: $8,150.98/mo.
Is Lake Charles BAH above or below average?
O-2 BAH in Lake Charles is $985 below the national average of $2,608/mo with dependents.
O-2 BAH in Lake Charles, LA, in context
An O-2 with dependents in Lake Charles, LA draws $1,623/mo — 37.8% below the national average of $2,608 for this grade (288th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $1,338/mo, a $285 difference.
Promotion changes housing money here: pinning on O-3 raises BAH in this MHA by $354/mo (to $1,977), on top of the base-pay increase.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.