Edwards AFB
Lancaster, California · Air Force
Edwards AFB is the Air Force's primary flight test center, home to the Air Force Test Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory, located in the high desert northeast of Los Angeles.
Quick Facts
Location
Lancaster, CA
Branch
Air Force
MHA
Edwards Afb/Palmdale, CA
E-5 w/dep BAH
$2,658/mo
State Tax
6.5% (California)
2026 BAH Rates — Edwards Afb/Palmdale, 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) | $2,475 | $1,887 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $2,475 | $1,887 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $2,475 | $1,887 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $2,475 | $1,887 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $2,658 | $2,148 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $3,156 | $2,367 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $3,195 | $2,481 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $3,237 | $2,763 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $3,354 | $2,910 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $3,177 | $2,424 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $3,213 | $2,760 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $3,267 | $2,928 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $3,390 | $3,162 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $3,546 | $3,204 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $3,198 | $2,655 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $3,255 | $2,877 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $3,414 | $3,150 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $2,724 | $2,289 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $3,153 | $2,601 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $3,264 | $2,976 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $3,597 | $3,189 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $3,840 | $3,207 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $3,870 | $3,240 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $3,900 | $3,297 |
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
$2,658/mo
National avg E-5 w/dep
$1,987/mo
vs. National avg
+$671/mo
Lancaster and Palmdale offer affordable desert housing well below Los Angeles BAH levels. BAH for Edwards is calibrated to the Antelope Valley market, providing strong coverage of local rents.
Key Insights for Edwards AFB
An E-5 with dependents receives $2,658/month BAH — or $31,896/year — to cover housing costs in the Edwards Afb/Palmdale, CA area.
California taxes military base pay at approximately 6.5%. BAH and BAS remain tax-free at the federal and state level.
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.