Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Oceanside, California · Marine Corps
Camp Pendleton is the largest active-duty Marine Corps base on the West Coast, spanning 125,000 acres along 17 miles of California coastline between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Quick Facts
Location
Oceanside, CA
Branch
Marine Corps
MHA
Camp Pendleton, CA
E-5 w/dep BAH
$3,963/mo
State Tax
6.5% (California)
CONUS COLA
Eligible (moderate-high)
2026 BAH Rates — Camp Pendleton, CA
Monthly rates. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $3,627 | $2,739 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $3,627 | $2,739 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $3,627 | $2,739 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $3,627 | $2,739 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $3,963 | $3,093 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $4,398 | $3,324 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $4,494 | $3,642 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $4,596 | $4,056 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $4,779 | $4,182 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $4,419 | $3,513 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $4,536 | $4,053 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $4,662 | $4,197 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $4,824 | $4,416 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $5,019 | $4,518 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $4,512 | $3,960 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $4,644 | $4,152 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $4,854 | $4,392 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $4,023 | $3,285 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $4,395 | $3,855 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $4,659 | $4,239 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $5,085 | $4,494 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $5,391 | $4,548 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $5,439 | $4,641 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $5,484 | $4,725 |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
How This Market Compares
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$3,963/mo
National avg E-5 w/dep
$1,987/mo
vs. National avg
+$1,976/mo
The Oceanside/Fallbrook market is slightly more affordable than San Diego proper, but still a high-cost California market. BAH rates reflect the San Diego MHA, which is among the highest in CONUS.
Key Insights for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
An E-5 with dependents receives $3,963/month BAH — or $47,556/year — to cover housing costs in the Camp Pendleton, CA area.
California taxes military base pay at approximately 6.5%. BAH and BAS remain tax-free at the federal and state level.
Members at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton are eligible for CONUS COLA — a monthly supplement for high-cost areas (San Diego, moderate-high tier). Confirm your exact rate with your finance office.
BAH is designed to cover median rental costs — not average or premium rents. Members living in above-median housing pay the difference out of pocket; those in below-median housing keep the surplus.
Calculate Your Full Military Pay
BAH is one component. See your total compensation including base pay, BAS, and tax savings.
Nearby & Comparable Installations
Data Source & Disclaimer
BAH rates are from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) 2026 BAH data, effective January 1, 2026. Rates are set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not individual ZIP code — all ZIPs in the same MHA receive identical rates. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with DoD, DTMO, or any government agency. Verify your entitlement at travel.dod.mil.