Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Lakewood, Washington · Army / Air Force
JBLM is the largest U.S. Army installation on the West Coast, home to I Corps, the 7th Infantry Division, and the 62nd Airlift Wing flying C-17s.
JBLM is a high-cost duty station where BAH covers rent but may not cover homeownership for junior enlisted. The Tacoma area rental market is competitive, but neighborhoods south of base — Lakewood, DuPont, Lacey — offer more affordable options with shorter commutes than Tacoma proper.
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Quick reference: 2026 BAH rates at Joint Base Lewis-McChord
For 2026, BAH rates at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Tacoma, WA MHA) are: E-4 with dependents: $2,370/mo · E-5 without dependents: $2,121/mo · E-5 with dependents: $2,556/mo · E-6 with dependents: $2,919/mo · E-7 with dependents: $2,994/mo · O-3 with dependents: $3,123/mo. BAH is excluded from federal taxable income. Full rates for all pay grades are in the table below.
Showing E-5 with dependents for the Tacoma, WA MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$2,556/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$1,800/mo
RentCafe / Zumper 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$756/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $756/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$510,000
Herring Bank / Zillow 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$3,300–$3,600/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~1.1% property tax + insurance
At $2,556/month BAH and an estimated $3,300–$3,600/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
Joint Base Lewis-McChord BAH for E-5 with dependents is $495/mo above the national average — and The Puget Sound area runs 10–15% above the national median in overall housing costs, which limits how far BAH stretches compared to CONUS averages.
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$2,556/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
+$495/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Tacoma, WA
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $2,370/mo·E-5 w/dep: $2,556/mo·E-6 w/dep: $2,919/mo
| 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.
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BAH is just one piece of your pay
See your full compensation at Joint Base Lewis-McChord — including base pay, BAS, tax advantages, and what a civilian would need to earn to match it.
Calculate your total compensation →Local cost of living context
Overall cost of living is roughly roughly 10–15% above the national average.
Washington has no state income tax — a significant net-pay advantage over most West Coast duty stations.
What to know before you move
The most common PCS mistake at JBLM is buying a home without understanding the price tier. The median home price near $510,000 means an E-5's BAH won't cover a mortgage — many junior enlisted families who buy end up house-poor or underwater at PCS. Renting in Lakewood or DuPont keeps housing costs within BAH, and you can explore buying only if you have dual income or plan to keep the property as a rental.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate at Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
BAH at Joint Base Lewis-McChord depends on pay grade and dependent status. For 2026, Tacoma, WA MHA rates include: E-5 with dependents $2,556/mo, E-6 with dependents $2,919/mo, E-7 with dependents $2,994/mo, and O-3 with dependents $3,123/mo. E-5 without dependents is $2,121/mo. BAH is excluded from federal taxable income.
Is BAH at Joint Base Lewis-McChord taxable income?
No. BAH is excluded from federal taxable income under the Military Pay Tax Exclusion. Most states also exempt BAH and BAS from state income tax, though treatment varies by state. Service members keep the full dollar value of their housing allowance — a significant financial advantage over taxable income of the same amount.
What Military Housing Area (MHA) does Joint Base Lewis-McChord use for BAH?
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is assigned to the Tacoma, WA Military Housing Area (MHA). All service members stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord receive BAH rates set for this MHA, regardless of their exact address within the area. Rates are published annually by the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) and take effect January 1 each year.
Can I afford to buy a home near Joint Base Lewis-McChord using BAH?
Local median home prices run approximately $510,000, with estimated monthly mortgage payments (PITI) of $3,300–$3,600. An E-6 with dependents receives $2,919/mo in BAH. E-5s with dependents at $2,556/mo can cover a significant portion of a median mortgage, particularly with a VA loan eliminating the down payment requirement.
What to do next
BAH is the starting point. Here are the calculations that matter most for your PCS decision.
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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.