Fort Irwin (National Training Center)
Barstow, California · Army
Fort Irwin is home to the National Training Center (NTC), the Army's primary large-scale combat training exercise site, located in the Mojave Desert.
Quick Facts
Location
Barstow, CA
Branch
Army
MHA
Barstow/Fort Irwin, CA
E-5 w/dep BAH
$2,001/mo
State Tax
6.5% (California)
2026 BAH Rates — Barstow/Fort Irwin, 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) | $1,890 | $1,557 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,890 | $1,557 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,890 | $1,557 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,890 | $1,557 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $2,001 | $1,695 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,430 | $1,824 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,547 | $1,911 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,673 | $2,091 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,814 | $2,214 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,451 | $1,866 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,598 | $2,088 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,751 | $2,232 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,838 | $2,454 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,946 | $2,574 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,568 | $1,998 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,730 | $2,187 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,856 | $2,424 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $2,058 | $1,776 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,427 | $1,968 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,748 | $2,274 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,976 | $2,550 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $3,144 | $2,616 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $3,168 | $2,730 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $3,189 | $2,778 |
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
$2,001/mo
National avg E-5 w/dep
$1,987/mo
vs. National avg
+$14/mo
Barstow is an isolated desert market with minimal rental inventory. BAH rates reflect the Victorville/Hesperia area; many servicemembers choose to live on-post due to limited off-post options.
Key Insights for Fort Irwin (National Training Center)
An E-5 with dependents receives $2,001/month BAH — or $24,012/year — to cover housing costs in the Barstow/Fort Irwin, 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.