Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Lakewood, Washington · Army / Air Force
JBLM is the largest military installation on the West Coast, home to I Corps, the 2nd Infantry Division's 7th Infantry Brigade, and the 62nd Airlift Wing.
Quick Facts
Location
Lakewood, WA
Branch
Army, Air Force
MHA
Tacoma, WA
E-5 w/dep BAH
$2,556/mo
State Tax
No state income tax
2026 BAH Rates — Tacoma, WA
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) | $2,370 | $2,034 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $2,370 | $2,034 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $2,370 | $2,034 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $2,370 | $2,034 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $2,556 | $2,121 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $2,919 | $2,199 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $2,994 | $2,376 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $3,072 | $2,634 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $3,180 | $2,736 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $2,940 | $2,313 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $3,024 | $2,631 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $3,126 | $2,751 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $3,201 | $2,931 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $3,297 | $3,009 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $3,006 | $2,553 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $3,108 | $2,712 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $3,216 | $2,913 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $2,607 | $2,178 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $2,916 | $2,496 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $3,123 | $2,784 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $3,324 | $2,991 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $3,471 | $3,030 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $3,501 | $3,102 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $3,525 | $3,156 |
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
$2,556/mo
National avg E-5 w/dep
$1,987/mo
vs. National avg
+$569/mo
The Puget Sound housing market is expensive and competitive. BAH rates are high relative to CONUS averages, but the Seattle metro's rapidly rising rents mean some lower-grade members face a shortfall. CONUS COLA was added for this area in 2026.
Key Insights for Joint Base Lewis-McChord
An E-5 with dependents receives $2,556/month BAH — or $30,672/year — to cover housing costs in the Tacoma, WA area.
Washington has no state income tax on military pay, meaning your BAH, base pay, and special pays go further here than in high-tax states.
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.