E-3 BAH Rates in Boston, MA (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-3 (Private First Class (PFC)) stationed in Boston, MA is $4,344 per month with dependents and $3,258 per month without dependents. This rate is $2,215 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 Boston is approximately $7,835.95 with dependents or $6,749.95 without.
E-3 BAH: Boston vs National Average
| Boston | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $4,344 | $2,129 | +$2,215 |
| Without Dependents | $3,258 | $1,683 | +$1,575 |
E-3 Total Monthly Compensation in Boston
Here is how E-3 pay breaks down for a service member with 2 years of service stationed in Boston:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $3,015 | $3,015 |
| BAH | $4,344 | $3,258 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $7,835.95 | $6,749.95 |
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 Boston
- E-4 — $4,344/mo
- E-5 — $4,791/mo
- E-6 — $4,812/mo
- E-7 — $4,938/mo
- O-1 — $4,803/mo
- O-2 — $4,809/mo
- O-3 — $5,163/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for E-3 in Boston?
The 2026 E-3 BAH rate in Boston is $4,344/mo with dependents and $3,258/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for E-3 in Boston?
An E-3 with 2 years of service in Boston earns approximately $7,835.95/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $3,015 + BAH $4,344 + BAS $476.95). Without dependents: $6,749.95/mo.
Is Boston BAH above or below average?
E-3 BAH in Boston is $2,215 above the national average of $2,129/mo with dependents.
E-3 BAH in Boston, MA, in context
An E-3 with dependents in Boston, MA draws $4,344/mo — 104% above the national average of $2,129 for this grade (4th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $3,258/mo, a $1,086 difference.
Worth knowing: promotion to E-4 does not raise BAH in this MHA — both grades draw $4,344/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.