Fairchild AFB
Airway Heights, Washington · Air Force
Fairchild AFB is home to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing flying KC-135 Stratotankers — the Air Force's aerial refueling mission in the Inland Northwest near Spokane.
Fairchild AFB puts you in Spokane — a mid-size city with four real seasons, no state income tax, and a cost of living below the national average. BAH covers rent comfortably, and the housing market is accessible for homebuyers. The outdoor recreation (skiing, lakes, hiking) rivals Colorado at a fraction of the price.
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Showing E-5 with dependents for the Spokane, WA MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$2,184/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$1,400/mo
Zillow / BestPlaces 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$784/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $784/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$360,000
Zillow / Redfin 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$2,400–$2,700/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~0.9% property tax + insurance
At $2,184/month BAH and an estimated $2,400–$2,700/month PITI on a median-priced home, BAH may not fully cover a typical mortgage, but it can significantly offset your monthly housing cost — though actual costs vary based on rate, taxes, insurance, and individual circumstances.
Housing cost estimates are approximate and based on publicly available market data. Actual mortgage costs depend on interest rate, property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, maintenance, credit profile, and lender requirements. This is not financial advice — use these numbers as a starting point for your own research.
How This Market Compares
Fairchild AFB BAH for E-5 with dependents is $123/mo above the national average — and Spokane's market is accessible and growing, with plenty of options 15 minutes from the gate
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$2,184/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
+$123/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Spokane, WA
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $1,947/mo·E-5 w/dep: $2,184/mo·E-6 w/dep: $2,553/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $1,947 | $1,611 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,947 | $1,611 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,947 | $1,611 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,947 | $1,611 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $2,184 | $1,665 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,553 | $1,914 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,658 | $1,995 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,772 | $2,262 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,901 | $2,367 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,574 | $1,932 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,706 | $2,259 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,847 | $2,382 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,922 | $2,574 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $3,021 | $2,685 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,679 | $2,181 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,826 | $2,343 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,937 | $2,547 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $2,235 | $1,707 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,550 | $2,106 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,844 | $2,418 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $3,048 | $2,658 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $3,195 | $2,721 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $3,222 | $2,826 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $3,243 | $2,874 |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
Local cost of living context
Overall cost of living is roughly roughly 5–8% below the national average.
Washington has no state income tax — a significant net-pay advantage over most duty stations.
What to know before you move
Fairchild is on the west side of Spokane, and the city spreads east. The mistake is living on the far east side or in Spokane Valley for more amenities and then dealing with a 30+ minute commute on I-90. Airway Heights, Medical Lake, and Cheney are all within 15 minutes of the gate and more affordable.
Housing data is approximate and provided for informational and educational purposes only. Median rents and home prices reflect market estimates at time of publication and may not reflect current conditions. School ratings are sourced from third-party services and reflect their methodology. MilPayTools does not endorse specific neighborhoods, properties, landlords, or housing decisions. Always verify figures independently and consult with a qualified professional before making financial commitments.
What to do next
BAH is the starting point. Here are the calculations that matter most for your PCS decision.
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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.