O-3 BAH Rates in Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an O-3 (Captain (CPT)) stationed in Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC is $2,232 per month with dependents and $2,028 per month without dependents. This rate is $627 below 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 Columbia/Fort Jackson is approximately $10,297.48 with dependents or $10,093.48 without.
O-3 BAH: Columbia/Fort Jackson vs National Average
| Columbia/Fort Jackson | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $2,232 | $2,859 | −$627 |
| Without Dependents | $2,028 | $2,493 | −$465 |
O-3 Total Monthly Compensation in Columbia/Fort Jackson
Here is how O-3 pay breaks down for a service member with 6 years of service stationed in Columbia/Fort Jackson:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $7,737 | $7,737 |
| BAH | $2,232 | $2,028 |
| BAS | $328.48 | $328.48 |
| Total | $10,297.48 | $10,093.48 |
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 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-2 — $2,118/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for O-3 in Columbia/Fort Jackson?
The 2026 O-3 BAH rate in Columbia/Fort Jackson is $2,232/mo with dependents and $2,028/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for O-3 in Columbia/Fort Jackson?
An O-3 with 6 years of service in Columbia/Fort Jackson earns approximately $10,297.48/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $7,737 + BAH $2,232 + BAS $328.48). Without dependents: $10,093.48/mo.
Is Columbia/Fort Jackson BAH above or below average?
O-3 BAH in Columbia/Fort Jackson is $627 below the national average of $2,859/mo with dependents.
O-3 BAH in Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC, in context
An O-3 with dependents in Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC draws $2,232/mo — 21.9% below the national average of $2,859 for this grade (222nd of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $2,028/mo, a $204 difference.
Promotion changes housing money here: pinning on O-4 raises BAH in this MHA by $285/mo (to $2,517), on top of the base-pay increase.
Computed from the official 2026 BAH rate file across all 299 market-priced MHAs.