MCRD San Diego
San Diego, California · Marine Corps
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Showing E-5 with dependents for the San Diego, CA MHA.
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
San Diego's rental market is among the most competitive on the West Coast. Mission Valley, El Cajon, Chula Vista, and National City are more affordable than coastal neighborhoods. BAH reflects the elevated San Diego market.
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$3,975/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
+$1,914/mo
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 | $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.
Key Insights for MCRD San Diego
An E-5 with dependents receives $3,975/month — that's $47,700/year in tax-free housing money to cover costs in the San Diego, CA market.
California taxes military base pay at approximately 6.5%. BAH and BAS remain tax-free at the federal and state level.
Members at MCRD San Diego 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.
What to do next
BAH is the starting point. Here are the calculations that matter most for your PCS decision.
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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.