Fort George G. Meade
Odenton, Maryland · Army
Fort Meade is home to the National Security Agency (NSA), U.S. Cyber Command, and the Defense Information Systems Agency, making it the most intelligence-dense installation in the country.
Quick Facts
Location
Odenton, MD
Branch
Army
MHA
Fort G. G. Meade, MD
E-5 w/dep BAH
$2,901/mo
State Tax
5.0% (Maryland)
2026 BAH Rates — Fort G. G. Meade, MD
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) | $2,739 | $2,178 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $2,739 | $2,178 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $2,739 | $2,178 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $2,739 | $2,178 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $2,901 | $2,436 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $3,276 | $2,592 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $3,327 | $2,745 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $3,378 | $2,982 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $3,507 | $3,087 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $3,297 | $2,694 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $3,345 | $2,979 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $3,414 | $3,102 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $3,543 | $3,282 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $3,708 | $3,336 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $3,333 | $2,898 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $3,402 | $3,063 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $3,570 | $3,270 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $2,952 | $2,577 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $3,273 | $2,850 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $3,411 | $3,138 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $3,759 | $3,321 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $4,014 | $3,345 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $4,047 | $3,390 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $4,077 | $3,450 |
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
$2,901/mo
National avg E-5 w/dep
$1,987/mo
vs. National avg
+$914/mo
Fort Meade falls in the Baltimore MHA. The DC/Baltimore corridor is expensive, but BAH rates reflect this — mid-grade and senior members can typically cover 2-bedroom apartments or purchase starter homes in the suburbs.
Key Insights for Fort George G. Meade
An E-5 with dependents receives $2,901/month BAH — or $34,812/year — to cover housing costs in the Fort G. G. Meade, MD area.
Maryland 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.