Washington (State) BAH Rates Updated For 2026

Washington is home to several major military installations across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, making it a common duty station for service members and their families.

Because of this, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates in Washington vary significantly depending on location, rank, and dependent status.

Housing costs in the state can differ dramatically between high-cost areas like Seattle and more affordable regions such as Spokane or Yakima.

On this page, you’ll find the current Washington BAH rates for major military housing areas, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Seattle, Everett, and more.

Related Article – California BAH Rates

Washington Housing Costs & BAH Overview

Washington is one of the more expensive states in the country when it comes to housing, particularly in the western portion of the state.

For example:

• Seattle and Tacoma have some of the highest housing costs due to strong job markets and population growth.
• Everett and Naval Base Kitsap areas are also expensive due to proximity to Puget Sound.
• Spokane offers a more affordable alternative with lower housing demand.
• Yakima and rural areas tend to have the lowest housing costs in the state.

Because of these differences, BAH rates are adjusted based on location to reflect local housing markets.

Many service members choose to live outside major metro areas to stretch their housing allowance further.

Major Military Bases in Washington

Washington has a significant military presence, particularly in the Puget Sound region:

• Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)
• Naval Base Kitsap
• Naval Base Everett
• Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
• Fairchild Air Force Base
• Yakima Training Center
• Camp Murray (Washington National Guard)

These installations contribute to housing demand and directly influence BAH rates across the state.

BAH For Tacoma / Joint Base Lewis-McChord

The Seattle-Tacoma region is one of the most expensive housing markets in Washington.

Service members stationed at JBLM often find that housing costs exceed BAH in certain areas, which leads many families to live further from the base in more affordable suburbs.

The Seattle metropolis is a housing option for troops stationed at the following military establishments:

• Camp Murray Air Guard Station
• Sector Puget Sound – U.S. Coast Guard 13th District
• Joint Branch Lewis-McChord

Washington BAH for the Seattle and Tacoma area include:

Enlisted Rates For 2026

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,370	$2,034
E-2	$2,370	$2,034
E-3	$2,370	$2,034
E-4	$2,370	$2,034
E-5	$2,556	$2,121
E-6	$2,919	$2,199
E-7	$2,994	$2,376
E-8	$3,072	$2,634
E-9	$3,180	$2,736

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,940	$2,313
W-2	$3,024	$2,631
W-3	$3,126	$2,751
W-4	$3,201	$2,931
W-5	$3,297	$3,009

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$3,006	$2,553
O-2E	$3,108	$2,712
O-3E	$3,216	$2,913
O-1	$2,607	$2,178
O-2	$2,916	$2,496
O-3	$3,123	$2,784
O-4	$3,324	$2,991
O-5	$3,471	$3,030
O-6	$3,501	$3,102
O-7	$3,525	$3,156

Learn more about the military bases in Washington.

BAH For Seattle

Seattle consistently ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the United States.

High demand and limited housing supply can make it difficult for service members to find housing within their BAH, especially closer to downtown.

Enlisted Rates For 2026

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,976	$2,271
E-2	$2,976	$2,271
E-3	$2,976	$2,271
E-4	$2,976	$2,271
E-5	$3,135	$2,625
E-6	$3,906	$2,931
E-7	$4,020	$3,015
E-8	$4,143	$3,291
E-9	$4,311	$3,525

Warrant Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$3,927	$2,946
W-2	$4,032	$3,240
W-3	$4,140	$3,375
W-4	$4,212	$3,546
W-5	$4,341	$3,663

Officer

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$4,041	$3,168
O-2E	$4,125	$3,285
O-3E	$4,212	$3,429
O-1	$3,309	$2,751
O-2	$3,888	$3,105
O-3	$4,140	$3,372
O-4	$4,347	$3,618
O-5	$4,500	$3,726
O-6	$4,533	$3,780
O-7	$4,569	$3,837

BAH For Spokane

Spokane exists along a beautiful portion of Washington state adjacent to the Selkirk Mountains.

It’s a really gorgeous alternative to the bustling Seattle / Tacoma area.

Spokane is significantly more affordable than western Washington cities.

Service members stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base often find that their BAH comfortably covers housing costs, making it one of the more budget-friendly duty stations in the state.

Enlisted Rates For 2026

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,947	$1,611
E-2	$1,947	$1,611
E-3	$1,947	$1,611
E-4	$1,947	$1,611
E-5	$2,184	$1,665
E-6	$2,553	$1,914
E-7	$2,658	$1,995
E-8	$2,772	$2,262
E-9	$2,901	$2,367

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,574	$1,932
W-2	$2,706	$2,259
W-3	$2,847	$2,382
W-4	$2,922	$2,574
W-5	$3,021	$2,685

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,679	$2,181
O-2E	$2,826	$2,343
O-3E	$2,937	$2,547
O-1	$2,235	$1,707
O-2	$2,550	$2,106
O-3	$2,844	$2,418
O-4	$3,048	$2,658
O-5	$3,195	$2,721
O-6	$3,222	$2,826
O-7	$3,243	$2,874

BAH For Everett

Everett is a very reasonable drive north of Seattle (25 miles) while producing its own thriving community in Puget Sound.

The military-friendly city features a population of over 110,600 even if housing prices are skyrocketing.

As a result, Washington BAH rates for the region are some of the highest outside of Seattle / Tacoma.

Still, service members may find it the best solution if stationed at the following military bases:

• Naval Base Everett
• Naval Magazine Indian Island

Everett has seen rising housing costs due to its proximity to Seattle and strong local job market.

While still slightly more affordable than Seattle, service members may need to explore surrounding areas to find housing within their BAH.

Enlisted Rates For 2026

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,625	$2,106
E-2	$2,625	$2,106
E-3	$2,625	$2,106
E-4	$2,625	$2,106
E-5	$2,775	$2,325
E-6	$3,270	$2,550
E-7	$3,375	$2,625
E-8	$3,480	$2,775
E-9	$3,630	$2,925

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$3,300	$2,580
W-2	$3,390	$2,730
W-3	$3,495	$2,850
W-4	$3,570	$2,985
W-5	$3,690	$3,105

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$3,405	$2,700
O-2E	$3,480	$2,790
O-3E	$3,570	$2,910
O-1	$2,850	$2,400
O-2	$3,240	$2,640
O-3	$3,480	$2,850
O-4	$3,675	$3,060
O-5	$3,825	$3,180
O-6	$3,855	$3,225
O-7	$3,885	$3,270

Related Article – Florida BAH Rates

BAH For Naval Base Kitsap

Naval Base Kitsap is a modern U.S. military installation in Washington.

The Kitsap Peninsula offers a mix of housing options, but costs have increased in recent years due to demand from both military personnel and civilian commuters.

Many service members choose to live in surrounding communities where housing is more affordable.

Washington BAH rates for Naval Base Kitsap are as follows:

Enlisted Rates For 2026

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,265	$1,974
E-2	$2,265	$1,974
E-3	$2,265	$1,974
E-4	$2,265	$1,974
E-5	$2,364	$2,091
E-6	$2,730	$2,169
E-7	$2,844	$2,265
E-8	$2,967	$2,442
E-9	$3,105	$2,547

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,751	$2,217
W-2	$2,838	$2,376
W-3	$2,943	$2,478
W-4	$3,021	$2,583
W-5	$3,120	$2,682

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,859	$2,340
O-2E	$2,949	$2,430
O-3E	$3,042	$2,550
O-1	$2,484	$2,115
O-2	$2,817	$2,340
O-3	$2,940	$2,478
O-4	$3,132	$2,661
O-5	$3,273	$2,754
O-6	$3,300	$2,799
O-7	$3,324	$2,838

BAH For Naval Air Station – Whidbey Island / Oak Harbor

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) is part of a military base in Washington state that also includes a location in Oak Harbor.

Ault Field – the primary portion of the naval air station – exists just north of Oak Harbor.

Whidbey Island offers a quieter lifestyle compared to the mainland, but housing inventory can be limited.

Service members stationed at NAS Whidbey Island often need to plan ahead when searching for housing.

Here are the current Washington BAH rates for Naval Air Station – Whidbey Island:

Enlisted Rates For 2026

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$2,013	$1,839
E-2	$2,013	$1,839
E-3	$2,013	$1,839
E-4	$2,013	$1,839
E-5	$2,106	$1,923
E-6	$2,307	$1,998
E-7	$2,388	$2,088
E-8	$2,472	$2,175
E-9	$2,571	$2,256

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$2,325	$2,031
W-2	$2,394	$2,115
W-3	$2,475	$2,190
W-4	$2,553	$2,280
W-5	$2,643	$2,364

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$2,400	$2,106
O-2E	$2,469	$2,175
O-3E	$2,559	$2,265
O-1	$2,139	$1,950
O-2	$2,301	$2,034
O-3	$2,472	$2,190
O-4	$2,637	$2,355
O-5	$2,751	$2,448
O-6	$2,778	$2,484
O-7	$2,799	$2,514

Related Article – Georgia BAH Rates

BAH For Yakima Training Center

The Yakima Training Center (YTC) is operated by the United States Army.

Yakima is one of the most affordable areas in Washington for military housing.

Due to its rural location, housing costs are significantly lower than in western Washington, allowing BAH to stretch further.

Enlisted Rates For 2026

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
E-1	$1,575	$1,341
E-2	$1,575	$1,341
E-3	$1,575	$1,341
E-4	$1,575	$1,341
E-5	$1,665	$1,425
E-6	$1,890	$1,557
E-7	$1,944	$1,626
E-8	$1,998	$1,701
E-9	$2,079	$1,764

Warrant Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
W-1	$1,908	$1,590
W-2	$1,944	$1,665
W-3	$1,989	$1,734
W-4	$2,058	$1,809
W-5	$2,145	$1,875

Officer

Rank	Dependents	Without Dependents
O-1E	$1,950	$1,644
O-2E	$1,995	$1,719
O-3E	$2,079	$1,800
O-1	$1,722	$1,500
O-2	$1,884	$1,638
O-3	$1,998	$1,728
O-4	$2,157	$1,860
O-5	$2,271	$1,926
O-6	$2,292	$1,953
O-7	$2,310	$1,980

Is BAH Enough to Cover Housing in Washington?

In some parts of Washington, particularly in rural or inland areas like Spokane or Yakima, BAH is typically enough to cover housing costs.

However, in high-cost regions such as Seattle, Tacoma, and parts of Puget Sound, housing prices may exceed BAH depending on location and housing type.

Because of this, many military families choose to live outside city centers or in surrounding suburbs to make their housing allowance go further.