O-2 BAH Rates in Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an O-2 (First Lieutenant (1LT)) stationed in Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC is $2,118 per month with dependents and $1,860 per month without dependents. This rate is $490 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 Columbia/Fort Jackson is approximately $8,930.98 with dependents or $8,672.98 without.
O-2 BAH: Columbia/Fort Jackson vs National Average
| Columbia/Fort Jackson | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $2,118 | $2,608 | −$490 |
| Without Dependents | $1,860 | $2,243 | −$383 |
O-2 Total Monthly Compensation in Columbia/Fort Jackson
Here is how O-2 pay breaks down for a service member with 4 years of service stationed in Columbia/Fort Jackson:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $6,484.5 | $6,484.5 |
| BAH | $2,118 | $1,860 |
| BAS | $328.48 | $328.48 |
| Total | $8,930.98 | $8,672.98 |
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 Columbia/Fort Jackson
- E-3 — $1,812/mo
- E-4 — $1,812/mo
- E-5 — $1,878/mo
- E-6 — $2,121/mo
- E-7 — $2,160/mo
- O-1 — $1,914/mo
- O-3 — $2,232/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for O-2 in Columbia/Fort Jackson?
The 2026 O-2 BAH rate in Columbia/Fort Jackson is $2,118/mo with dependents and $1,860/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for O-2 in Columbia/Fort Jackson?
An O-2 with 4 years of service in Columbia/Fort Jackson earns approximately $8,930.98/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $6,484.5 + BAH $2,118 + BAS $328.48). Without dependents: $8,672.98/mo.
Is Columbia/Fort Jackson BAH above or below average?
O-2 BAH in Columbia/Fort Jackson is $490 below the national average of $2,608/mo with dependents.
O-2 BAH in Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC, in context
An O-2 with dependents in Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC draws $2,118/mo — 18.8% below the national average of $2,608 for this grade (207th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $1,860/mo, a $258 difference.
Promotion changes housing money here: pinning on O-3 raises BAH in this MHA by $114/mo (to $2,232), on top of the base-pay increase.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.