Covers ~93% of estimated median 2BR rent (Tacoma, WA)
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Quick answer: In 2026, BAH in Joint Base Lewis-McChord (the Tacoma, WA Military Housing Area) ranges from about $2034/month for the lowest grade without dependents up to $3525/month for senior officers with dependents. A typical E-5 with dependents receives $2556/month ($2121 without), which works out to roughly $30672 per year, tax-free.
How BAH is calculated in Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Your housing allowance in Joint Base Lewis-McChord is set by the Tacoma, WA Military Housing Area (MHA), not by your individual address. The Department of Defense surveys local rental costs each year and sets rates designed to cover roughly 95% of typical housing expenses for each pay grade. Three things determine your exact figure: your pay grade, whether you have dependents, and the MHA your duty-station ZIP falls into. Everyone in the same grade and dependency status within Tacoma, WA receives the identical rate, whether they live on the cheaper or pricier side of town.
Two policies matter most here. First, BAH is the same across every branch — Army & Air Force members in Joint Base Lewis-McChord are paid exactly like soldiers, sailors, airmen, or Marines of the same grade. Second, rate protection means that once you are receiving a Joint Base Lewis-McChord rate, a future drop in the published figure will not reduce your pay while you remain stationed here. For the complete mechanics, see our guide to how BAH is calculated.
2026 Joint Base Lewis-McChord BAH rate chart (all pay grades)
The table below shows the full 2026 BAH rate chart for the Tacoma, WA Military Housing Area, with and without dependents, for every pay grade. Compared with 2025, the E-5 with-dependents rate rose $48 this year. These are official DoD DTMO figures.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2370 | $2034 |
| E-2 | $2370 | $2034 |
| E-3 | $2370 | $2034 |
| E-4 | $2370 | $2034 |
| E-5 | $2556 | $2121 |
| E-6 | $2919 | $2199 |
| E-7 | $2994 | $2376 |
| E-8 | $3072 | $2634 |
| E-9 | $3180 | $2736 |
| W-1 | $2940 | $2313 |
| W-2 | $3024 | $2631 |
| W-3 | $3126 | $2751 |
| W-4 | $3201 | $2931 |
| W-5 | $3297 | $3009 |
| O-1E | $3006 | $2553 |
| O-2E | $3108 | $2712 |
| O-3E | $3216 | $2913 |
| O-1 | $2607 | $2178 |
| O-2 | $2916 | $2496 |
| O-3 | $3123 | $2784 |
| O-4 | $3324 | $2991 |
| O-5 | $3471 | $3030 |
| O-6 | $3501 | $3102 |
| O-7 | $3525 | $3156 |
| O-8 | $3525 | $3156 |
| O-9 | $3525 | $3156 |
| O-10 | $3525 | $3156 |
Joint Base Lewis-McChord BAH by rank: enlisted, warrant & officer
BAH rises steadily with rank in Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Among enlisted members, a junior E-1 with dependents draws about $2370/month, a mid-career E-5 about $2556, an E-7 about $2994, and a senior E-9 around $3180. Warrant officers fall in a similar band — a W-3 with dependents receives roughly $3126/month. Commissioned officers earn the highest rates: an O-1 starts near $2607, an O-3 (captain or Navy lieutenant) around $3123, an O-5 about $3471, and an O-10 up to $3525/month with dependents.
The gap between the with- and without-dependents rate is meaningful at every level — for an O-3 in Joint Base Lewis-McChord it is the difference between $3123 and $2784 a month. Adding a dependent (through marriage or a first child) moves you to the higher rate, so it is worth updating your status with finance promptly. Use the calculator above to see your own grade, or browse the full 2026 rate chart for every MHA.
Military installations in Joint Base Lewis-McChord
The following installations fall within the Tacoma, WA Military Housing Area. Because BAH is set by MHA, members at any of these bases who live off post receive the same location rates shown above:
- Lewis Main / Lewis North — ZIP 98433
- McChord Field — ZIP 98438
Joint Base Lewis-McChord housing market & affordability
The estimated median two-bedroom rent in the Tacoma, WA area is around $2745/month. An E-5 with dependents receives $2556, covering roughly 93% of that figure — close to the full cost of a typical rental. Because BAH is a flat allowance, members who rent below their rate keep the difference — a common savings strategy in this market.
Neighborhoods popular with military families
Military families stationed in Joint Base Lewis-McChord commonly look at these areas, balancing commute time, school quality, and rent against their BAH:
- Lakewood
- Tacoma
- Puyallup
- Spanaway
- DuPont
Since your BAH is fixed by the Tacoma, WA MHA regardless of which neighborhood you choose, picking a lower-cost area directly increases the amount of your allowance you keep.
Getting the most from your BAH in Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Because BAH is a flat, tax-free allowance, every dollar of rent you come in under your rate is money you keep. Service members in Joint Base Lewis-McChord stretch their allowance several proven ways:
- Choose a lower-cost neighborhood. Your rate is fixed by the Tacoma, WA MHA, so renting in a more affordable area such as Lakewood or Tacoma lets you pocket the difference rather than hand it to a landlord.
- Split a place with a roommate. Two single members who each rate the without-dependents rate can share housing and bank hundreds a month — see BAH and roommates.
- Buy instead of rent. In a stable market, a VA-loan mortgage payment can land below your BAH, building equity with your allowance — read how lenders treat BAH income.
- Mind the commute. Cheaper rent farther from base can be offset by fuel and time, so weigh total cost, not just the lease.
PCSing to Joint Base Lewis-McChord: BAH tips
If you are moving to Joint Base Lewis-McChord on PCS orders, your BAH switches to the Tacoma, WA rate once you report and update your address with finance. A few steps prevent a pay gap: update your duty-station ZIP and dependency status immediately, keep a copy of your orders and latest LES, and confirm the new amount against the chart above on your first Joint Base Lewis-McChord pay statement. Remember that your allowance is based on your duty-station ZIP, not where you choose to live, so you can house-hunt anywhere in the metro and still receive the same rate. For the full rules on how a move changes your pay, see our guide to PCS moves and rate protection.
How Joint Base Lewis-McChord BAH compares nationally
Nationwide, 2026 BAH rates span roughly $843 to $5850+ per month across 600+ Military Housing Areas. Joint Base Lewis-McChord's E-5 with-dependents rate of $2556 places it in the mid-range of U.S. duty stations. Year over year, the rate increased $48 (about 1.9%) from 2025, reflecting how local rents shifted. To compare side by side, open the BAH by location hub or run two ZIPs through the calculator.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord BAH FAQ
How much is BAH in Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
For 2026, an E-5 with dependents in the Tacoma, WA area receives about $2556/month ($2121 without dependents). Other grades are listed in the full chart above; use the calculator to check yours.
Which ZIP codes use the Joint Base Lewis-McChord BAH rate?
All ZIP codes assigned to the Tacoma, WA Military Housing Area, including the installations listed above. Enter your exact duty-station ZIP in the calculator to confirm.
Is Joint Base Lewis-McChord BAH the same for every branch?
Yes. BAH is identical across all branches — the rate depends only on your grade, dependents, and the MHA, not your service.
How much is BAH per year in Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
An E-5 with dependents receiving $2556/month earns about $30672 per year in tax-free housing allowance. Multiply any monthly figure in the chart by 12 for its annual value.
Does Joint Base Lewis-McChord BAH cover the cost of rent?
For an E-5 with dependents, the 2026 rate covers roughly 93% of estimated median two-bedroom rent in the area. Higher-end rentals may require some out-of-pocket spending, while affordable choices let you keep the difference.
When do Joint Base Lewis-McChord BAH rates change?
New rates take effect every January 1 after the DoD publishes its annual tables (usually in December). Thanks to rate protection, an increase raises your pay, but a decrease will not lower it while you remain stationed in Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Is BAH in Joint Base Lewis-McChord taxed?
No. Like all BAH, your Joint Base Lewis-McChord housing allowance is exempt from federal income tax, which makes it worth more than the equivalent amount of taxable salary.
Rates are official 2026 DoD DTMO figures; the affordability estimate uses approximate local median rent. Verify your exact entitlement with DFAS.