Fort Jackson
Columbia, South Carolina · Army
Fort Jackson is the Army's largest and most active initial entry training center, producing more than 50% of all soldiers who join the Army each year.
Quick Facts
Location
Columbia, SC
Branch
Army
MHA
Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC
E-5 w/dep BAH
$1,878/mo
State Tax
5.0% (South Carolina)
2026 BAH Rates — Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC
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) | $1,812 | $1,479 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $1,812 | $1,479 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $1,812 | $1,479 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $1,812 | $1,479 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $1,878 | $1,647 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,121 | $1,746 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,160 | $1,812 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $2,202 | $1,932 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $2,310 | $1,995 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,136 | $1,803 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $2,175 | $1,929 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $2,235 | $2,004 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $2,340 | $2,121 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $2,475 | $2,166 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $2,163 | $1,875 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $2,223 | $1,980 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $2,361 | $2,109 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $1,914 | $1,743 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,118 | $1,860 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $2,232 | $2,028 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $2,517 | $2,151 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $2,724 | $2,172 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $2,745 | $2,211 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $2,760 | $2,247 |
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
$1,878/mo
National avg E-5 w/dep
$1,987/mo
vs. National avg
-$109/mo
Columbia is a large, diversified market with affordable housing. BAH provides strong purchasing power at most grades, and homeownership is very accessible.
Key Insights for Fort Jackson
An E-5 with dependents receives $1,878/month BAH — or $22,536/year — to cover housing costs in the Columbia/Fort Jackson, SC area.
South Carolina taxes military base pay at approximately 5.0%. 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.