E-3 BAH Rates in Houston, TX (2026)
The 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-3 (Private First Class (PFC)) stationed in Houston, TX is $1,974 per month with dependents and $1,524 per month without dependents. This rate is $155 below 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 Houston is approximately $5,465.95 with dependents or $5,015.95 without.
E-3 BAH: Houston vs National Average
| Houston | National Avg | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Dependents | $1,974 | $2,129 | −$155 |
| Without Dependents | $1,524 | $1,683 | −$159 |
E-3 Total Monthly Compensation in Houston
Here is how E-3 pay breaks down for a service member with 2 years of service stationed in Houston:
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $3,015 | $3,015 |
| BAH | $1,974 | $1,524 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $5,465.95 | $5,015.95 |
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 Houston
- E-4 — $1,974/mo
- E-5 — $2,193/mo
- E-6 — $2,517/mo
- E-7 — $2,583/mo
- O-1 — $2,241/mo
- O-2 — $2,514/mo
- O-3 — $2,700/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for E-3 in Houston?
The 2026 E-3 BAH rate in Houston is $1,974/mo with dependents and $1,524/mo without dependents.
What is the total monthly pay for E-3 in Houston?
An E-3 with 2 years of service in Houston earns approximately $5,465.95/mo total compensation with dependents (base pay $3,015 + BAH $1,974 + BAS $476.95). Without dependents: $5,015.95/mo.
Is Houston BAH above or below average?
E-3 BAH in Houston is $155 below the national average of $2,129/mo with dependents.
E-3 BAH in Houston, TX, in context
An E-3 with dependents in Houston, TX draws $1,974/mo — 7.3% below the national average of $2,129 for this grade (148th of 299 MHAs). Without dependents the rate is $1,524/mo, a $450 difference.
Worth knowing: promotion to E-4 does not raise BAH in this MHA — both grades draw $1,974/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.