Vandenberg Space Force Base
Lompoc, California · Space Force / Air Force
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Quick reference: 2026 BAH rates at Vandenberg Space Force Base
For 2026, BAH rates at Vandenberg Space Force Base (Vandenberg Sfb, CA MHA) are: E-4 with dependents: $3,156/mo · E-5 without dependents: $2,778/mo · E-5 with dependents: $3,333/mo · E-6 with dependents: $3,642/mo · E-7 with dependents: $3,693/mo · O-3 with dependents: $3,780/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 Vandenberg Sfb, CA MHA.
Year over year: ▲ +$141 (4.4%) vs 2025
Quick Facts
Location
Lompoc, CA
Branch
Space Force, Air Force
MHA
Vandenberg Sfb, CA
E-5 w/dep
$3,333/mo
State Tax
6.5% (California)
How This Market Compares
Vandenberg Space Force Base BAH for an E-5 with dependents is $3,333/month — $1,272/month above the national median of $2,061. That ranks the Vandenberg Sfb, CA MHA 35th-highest of the 338 military housing areas tracked nationwide (top 10%) for the E-5 with-dependents rate.
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$3,333/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. national median
+$1,272/mo
BAH vs. Local Rent
Across this area, 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent runs about $2,750–$3,430 (median $3,120).
E-5 w/dep BAH
$3,333/mo
2BR rent (HUD FMR, FY2026)
$3,120 median
$2,750–$3,430 range
BAH for E-5 with dependents ($3,333) falls within the area's 2-bedroom rent range — it covers a 2-bedroom in lower-cost ZIPs, while pricier ZIPs run higher.
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 Vandenberg Space Force Base BAH is set
BAH is set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not by your specific ZIP code or neighborhood. Vandenberg Space Force Base falls in the Vandenberg Sfb, 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.
For 2026, the E-5 with-dependents rate at Vandenberg Space Force Base rose $141 (+4.4%) from 2025's $3,192/month — about $1,692 more over the year, excluded from federal taxable income. That's in line with the national average BAH increase of 4.2% for 2026. Year-over-year change reflects published table rates; individual rate protection may keep your personal rate higher.
2026 BAH Rates — Vandenberg Sfb, CA
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $3,156/mo·E-5 w/dep: $3,333/mo·E-6 w/dep: $3,642/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $3,156▲ +$108 (3.5%) | $2,397▲ +$45 (1.9%) |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $3,156▲ +$108 (3.5%) | $2,397▲ +$45 (1.9%) |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $3,156▲ +$108 (3.5%) | $2,397▲ +$45 (1.9%) |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $3,156▲ +$108 (3.5%) | $2,397▲ +$45 (1.9%) |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $3,333▲ +$141 (4.4%) | $2,778▲ +$69 (2.5%) |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $3,642▲ +$129 (3.7%) | $2,994▲ +$84 (2.9%) |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $3,693▲ +$159 (4.5%) | $3,162▲ +$111 (3.6%) |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $3,747▲ +$204 (5.8%) | $3,399▲ +$138 (4.2%) |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $3,873▲ +$264 (7.3%) | $3,486▲ +$138 (4.1%) |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $3,660▲ +$129 (3.7%) | $3,105▲ +$96 (3.2%) |
| W-2 (CW2) | $3,714▲ +$174 (4.9%) | $3,396▲ +$138 (4.2%) |
| W-3 (CW3) | $3,783▲ +$231 (6.5%) | $3,498▲ +$135 (4.0%) |
| W-4 (CW4) | $3,906▲ +$264 (7.2%) | $3,648▲ +$141 (4.0%) |
| W-5 (CW5) | $4,065▲ +$291 (7.7%) | $3,702▲ +$180 (5.1%) |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $3,699▲ +$162 (4.6%) | $3,330▲ +$141 (4.4%) |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $3,771▲ +$225 (6.3%) | $3,465▲ +$135 (4.1%) |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $3,933▲ +$273 (7.5%) | $3,633▲ +$129 (3.7%) |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $3,378▲ +$141 (4.4%) | $2,979▲ +$81 (2.8%) |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $3,639▲ +$129 (3.7%) | $3,276▲ +$129 (4.1%) |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $3,780▲ +$231 (6.5%) | $3,528▲ +$132 (3.9%) |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $4,113▲ +$294 (7.7%) | $3,687▲ +$177 (5.0%) |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $4,356▲ +$333 (8.3%) | $3,711▲ +$186 (5.3%) |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $4,392▲ +$333 (8.2%) | $3,759▲ +$231 (6.5%) |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $4,425▲ +$333 (8.1%) | $3,828▲ +$249 (7.0%) |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026. Year-over-year change reflects published BAH table rates. Individual rate protection means your personal rate may differ if you've maintained eligibility at this location.
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BAH is just one piece of your pay
See your full compensation at Vandenberg Space Force Base — including base pay, BAS, tax advantages, and what a civilian would need to earn to match it.
Calculate your total compensation →Key Insights for Vandenberg Space Force Base
An E-5 with dependents receives $3,333/month — that's $39,996/year in housing money (excluded from federal taxable income) to cover costs in the Vandenberg Sfb, CA market.
California taxes military base pay at approximately 6.5%. BAH and BAS are excluded from federal taxable income; state treatment varies.
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 Vandenberg Space Force Base?
For 2026, an E-5 with dependents at Vandenberg Space Force Base receives $3,333/month in BAH (Vandenberg Sfb, CA MHA). Other grades with dependents: E-6 $3,642/month, E-7 $3,693/month, O-3 $3,780/month. E-5 without dependents is $2,778/month. BAH is excluded from federal taxable income.
Which Military Housing Area (MHA) is used for Vandenberg Space Force Base BAH?
Vandenberg Space Force Base is assigned to the Vandenberg Sfb, 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 Vandenberg Space Force Base BAH change from 2025 to 2026?
For 2026, the E-5 with-dependents rate at Vandenberg Space Force Base rose $141 (+4.4%) from 2025's $3,192/month — about $1,692 more over the year, excluded from federal taxable income. That's in line with 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 Vandenberg Space Force Base BAH depend on my exact ZIP code?
No. BAH is set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not by your specific ZIP or neighborhood. Vandenberg Space Force Base falls in the Vandenberg Sfb, CA MHA, so every ZIP in that area receives the identical rate for a given pay grade and dependency status.
How does Vandenberg Space Force Base BAH compare with nearby installations?
Nearby installations have their own MHA rates. For an E-5 with dependents: Travis AFB is $36/month higher, Edwards AFB is $675/month lower, and Naval Base Ventura County is $204/month higher — compared with Vandenberg Space Force Base's $3,333/month.
How does BAH at Vandenberg Space Force Base compare with local rent?
For 2026, an E-5 with dependents at Vandenberg Space Force Base receives $3,333/month in BAH. Across the Vandenberg Sfb, CA area, 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD, FY2026) runs about $2,750–$3,430 (median $3,120). BAH for an E-5 with dependents ($3,333) falls within the area's 2-bedroom rent range — it covers a 2-bedroom in lower-cost ZIPs, while pricier ZIPs run higher. 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 Vandenberg Space Force Base?
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.
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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.