MCAS Miramar
San Diego, California · Marine Corps
MCAS Miramar (formerly the Navy's "Top Gun" base) is home to Marine Aircraft Group 11 and several fixed-wing and helicopter squadrons, located in the northern San Diego metro.
Quick Facts
Location
San Diego, CA
Branch
Marine Corps
MHA
San Diego, CA
E-5 w/dep BAH
$3,975/mo
State Tax
6.5% (California)
CONUS COLA
Eligible (moderate-high)
2026 BAH Rates — San Diego, CA
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) | $3,666 | $2,763 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $3,666 | $2,763 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $3,666 | $2,763 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $3,666 | $2,763 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $3,975 | $3,147 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $4,404 | $3,387 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $4,446 | $3,678 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $4,488 | $4,065 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $4,671 | $4,188 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $4,425 | $3,564 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $4,464 | $4,062 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $4,521 | $4,206 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $4,731 | $4,410 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $4,992 | $4,455 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $4,449 | $3,972 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $4,506 | $4,161 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $4,770 | $4,398 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $4,032 | $3,351 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $4,401 | $3,873 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $4,518 | $4,248 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $5,082 | $4,440 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $5,493 | $4,458 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $5,541 | $4,494 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $5,586 | $4,575 |
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
$3,975/mo
National avg E-5 w/dep
$1,987/mo
vs. National avg
+$1,988/mo
Miramar is in the San Diego MHA — one of the most expensive markets in CONUS. BAH is high, but so are rents. Many Marines opt to live farther north in Poway or Santee for better BAH coverage.
Key Insights for MCAS Miramar
An E-5 with dependents receives $3,975/month BAH — or $47,700/year — to cover housing costs in the San Diego, CA area.
California taxes military base pay at approximately 6.5%. BAH and BAS remain tax-free at the federal and state level.
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 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.