MCAS Miramar
San Diego, California · Marine Corps
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Quick reference: 2026 BAH rates at MCAS Miramar
For 2026, BAH rates at MCAS Miramar (San Diego, CA MHA) are: E-4 with dependents: $3,666/mo · E-5 without dependents: $3,147/mo · E-5 with dependents: $3,975/mo · E-6 with dependents: $4,404/mo · E-7 with dependents: $4,446/mo · O-3 with dependents: $4,518/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 San Diego, CA MHA.
Year over year: ▼ −$12 (0.3%) vs 2025
Quick Facts
Location
San Diego, CA
Branch
Marine Corps
MHA
San Diego, CA
E-5 w/dep
$3,975/mo
State Tax
6.5% (California)
CONUS COLA
Eligible (moderate-high)
How This Market Compares
MCAS Miramar BAH for an E-5 with dependents is $3,975/month — $1,914/month above the national median of $2,061. That ranks the San Diego, CA MHA 12th-highest of the 338 military housing areas tracked nationwide (top 4%) for the E-5 with-dependents rate.
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$3,975/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. national median
+$1,914/mo
BAH vs. Local Rent
Across this area, 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent runs about $3,000–$3,340 (median $3,000).
E-5 w/dep BAH
$3,975/mo
2BR rent (HUD FMR, FY2026)
$3,000 median
$3,000–$3,340 range
The 2026 BAH for E-5 with dependents ($3,975) is above the area's 75th-percentile 2-bedroom rent — it covers a 2-bedroom across most of this area.
BAH is designed to cover about 95% of typical local housing costs — rent plus utilities — for a member's pay grade and dependency status, leaving a roughly 5% member cost share.
2-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD, FY2026). 2-bedroom is the reference point closest to junior- and mid-grade housing; larger households and senior grades typically need more space. Rent figures are HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents matched to this installation's Military Housing Area by ZIP code. MHA boundaries and HUD rent areas don't align perfectly, so these are area-level reference figures, not a personalized rent estimate. FMR is a gross-rent figure that includes tenant-paid utilities — the same basis BAH is built on.
How MCAS Miramar BAH is set
BAH is set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not by your specific ZIP code or neighborhood. MCAS Miramar falls in the San Diego, CA MHA — every installation and address in that MHA receives the same rate for a given pay grade and dependency status, so multiple bases can share one rate.
MCAS Miramar shares the San Diego, CA MHA with Naval Station San Diego, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, NAS North Island, and MCRD San Diego — all receive identical BAH.
For 2026, the E-5 with-dependents rate at MCAS Miramar fell $12 (−0.3%) from 2025's $3,987/month — about $144 less over the year. That's below the national average BAH increase of 4.2% for 2026.
Some pay grades at MCAS Miramar decreased for 2026 compared with 2025. Under individual rate protection, service members who have remained at this duty station with the same pay grade and dependency status keep their higher prior-year rate. The lower 2026 rate applies to members who arrive at this location or whose dependency status changes in 2026.
2026 BAH Rates — San Diego, CA
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $3,666/mo·E-5 w/dep: $3,975/mo·E-6 w/dep: $4,404/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $3,666▲ +$3 (0.1%) | $2,763▲ +$15 (0.5%) |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $3,666▲ +$3 (0.1%) | $2,763▲ +$15 (0.5%) |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $3,666▲ +$3 (0.1%) | $2,763▲ +$15 (0.5%) |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $3,666▲ +$3 (0.1%) | $2,763▲ +$15 (0.5%) |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $3,975▼ −$12 (0.3%) | $3,147▲ +$15 (0.5%) |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $4,404▲ +$9 (0.2%) | $3,387▲ +$15 (0.4%) |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $4,446▲ +$6 (0.1%) | $3,678No change |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $4,488▲ +$3 (0.1%) | $4,065▼ −$6 (0.1%) |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $4,671▲ +$9 (0.2%) | $4,188No change |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $4,425▲ +$12 (0.3%) | $3,564▲ +$9 (0.3%) |
| W-2 (CW2) | $4,464▲ +$6 (0.1%) | $4,062▼ −$6 (0.1%) |
| W-3 (CW3) | $4,521▲ +$3 (0.1%) | $4,206▲ +$3 (0.1%) |
| W-4 (CW4) | $4,731▲ +$15 (0.3%) | $4,410▲ +$12 (0.3%) |
| W-5 (CW5) | $4,992▲ +$33 (0.7%) | $4,455▲ +$6 (0.1%) |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $4,449▲ +$6 (0.1%) | $3,972▼ −$12 (0.3%) |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $4,506▼ −$3 (0.1%) | $4,161No change |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $4,770▲ +$18 (0.4%) | $4,398▲ +$12 (0.3%) |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $4,032▼ −$9 (0.2%) | $3,351▲ +$15 (0.4%) |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $4,401▲ +$9 (0.2%) | $3,873▼ −$9 (0.2%) |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $4,518▲ +$3 (0.1%) | $4,248▲ +$3 (0.1%) |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $5,082▲ +$39 (0.8%) | $4,440▲ +$6 (0.1%) |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $5,493▲ +$72 (1.3%) | $4,458▲ +$3 (0.1%) |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $5,541▲ +$69 (1.3%) | $4,494▼ −$3 (0.1%) |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $5,586▲ +$69 (1.3%) | $4,575▼ −$6 (0.1%) |
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 MCAS Miramar — including base pay, BAS, tax advantages, and what a civilian would need to earn to match it.
Calculate your total compensation →Key Insights for MCAS Miramar
An E-5 with dependents receives $3,975/month — that's $47,700/year in housing money (excluded from federal taxable income) to cover costs in the San Diego, CA market.
California taxes military base pay at approximately 6.5%. BAH and BAS are excluded from federal taxable income; state treatment varies.
Members at MCAS Miramar are eligible for CONUS COLA — a monthly supplement for high-cost areas (San Diego, moderate-high tier). Confirm your exact rate with your finance office.
BAH is benchmarked to typical local rental costs for a member's pay grade and dependency status — not premium or above-median housing. Members who choose more expensive housing pay the difference out of pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 BAH rate for an E-5 with dependents at MCAS Miramar?
For 2026, an E-5 with dependents at MCAS Miramar receives $3,975/month in BAH (San Diego, CA MHA). Other grades with dependents: E-6 $4,404/month, E-7 $4,446/month, O-3 $4,518/month. E-5 without dependents is $3,147/month. BAH is excluded from federal taxable income.
Which Military Housing Area (MHA) is used for MCAS Miramar BAH?
MCAS Miramar is assigned to the San Diego, CA Military Housing Area (MHA). Every installation and address in the same MHA receives the same rate, regardless of exact ZIP or neighborhood. Rates are published annually by the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) and take effect January 1.
How much did MCAS Miramar BAH change from 2025 to 2026?
For 2026, the E-5 with-dependents rate at MCAS Miramar fell $12 (−0.3%) from 2025's $3,987/month — about $144 less over the year. That's below the national average BAH increase of 4.2% for 2026. Rate protection means a member who stays at the same location with the same dependency status keeps their rate even if the published table rate falls.
Does MCAS Miramar BAH depend on my exact ZIP code?
No. BAH is set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not by your specific ZIP or neighborhood. MCAS Miramar falls in the San Diego, CA MHA, so every ZIP in that area receives the identical rate for a given pay grade and dependency status.
How does MCAS Miramar BAH compare with nearby installations?
Nearby installations have their own MHA rates. For an E-5 with dependents: Naval Station San Diego is the same, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is $12/month lower, and Naval Base Ventura County is $438/month lower — compared with MCAS Miramar's $3,975/month.
How does BAH at MCAS Miramar compare with local rent?
For 2026, an E-5 with dependents at MCAS Miramar receives $3,975/month in BAH. Across the San Diego, CA area, 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD, FY2026) runs about $3,000–$3,340 (median $3,000). The 2026 BAH for an E-5 with dependents ($3,975) is above the area's 75th-percentile 2-bedroom rent — it covers a 2-bedroom across most of this area. BAH is designed to cover about 95% of typical local housing costs — rent plus utilities — for a member's pay grade and dependency status.
Is BAH taxable for service members stationed at MCAS Miramar?
No. BAH is excluded from federal taxable income under the Military Pay Tax Exclusion. Most states also exempt BAH from state income tax, though treatment varies by state. Service members keep the full dollar value of their housing allowance.
Why do MCAS Miramar and nearby installations have the same BAH rate?
MCAS Miramar shares the San Diego, CA MHA with Naval Station San Diego, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, NAS North Island, and MCRD San Diego — all of them receive identical BAH because the rate is set per MHA, not per installation. A member at any of these locations with the same pay grade and dependency status receives the same amount.
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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.