Baltimore, MD BAH Rates 2026
The Baltimore, MD Military Housing Area (MHA MD129) covers 122 ZIP codes in Maryland, including 20588 and 21209. Every duty station inside those ZIP codes pays the 2026 locality BAH rates in the table below, whatever installation you are assigned to. An E-5 with dependents stationed here receives $2,610 per month in tax-free BAH, and an O-3 without dependents receives $2,793 per month.
Last updated: October 2026
Your BAH in Baltimore
2026 BAH rate table for Baltimore, MD
The full published 2026 locality table for MHA MD129, monthly amounts in US dollars:
| Pay grade | Without dependents | With dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,857 | $2,409 |
| E-2 | $1,857 | $2,409 |
| E-3 | $1,857 | $2,409 |
| E-4 | $1,857 | $2,409 |
| E-5 | $2,079 | $2,610 |
| E-6 | $2,226 | $2,904 |
| E-7 | $2,415 | $2,994 |
| E-8 | $2,673 | $3,093 |
| E-9 | $2,754 | $3,246 |
| W-1 | $2,349 | $2,922 |
| W-2 | $2,670 | $3,036 |
| W-3 | $2,766 | $3,159 |
| W-4 | $2,919 | $3,279 |
| W-5 | $3,015 | $3,429 |
| O-1 | $2,205 | $2,652 |
| O-2 | $2,547 | $2,901 |
| O-3 | $2,793 | $3,156 |
| O-4 | $2,994 | $3,477 |
| O-5 | $3,045 | $3,711 |
| O-6 | $3,138 | $3,741 |
| O-7+ | $3,192 | $3,768 |
Rates took effect on January 1, 2026. The O-7+ row also covers O-8, O-9, and O-10, who are paid at the O-7 locality rate. BAH is a tax-free allowance, so these amounts are worth more than the same figures in taxable basic pay.
Worked examples for Baltimore
An E-5 with dependents in this area receives $2,610 per month, or $31,320 over a full year. An E-7 with dependents receives $2,994 per month ($35,928 per year). An O-3 without dependents receives $2,793 per month ($33,516 per year). If your rent comes in below your rate, you keep the difference; if it runs above, the difference comes out of pocket.
Good to know about BAH in this area
Rate protection: if 2026 rates for this area fell for your grade, you keep your earlier higher rate for as long as you stay at this duty station with no break in eligibility. Changing stations: when you PCS, this table stops applying and the new station's MHA table takes over. Barracks and government quarters: members living in government quarters generally do not receive BAH, with narrow exceptions such as having dependents who live elsewhere. Finding your ZIP: if you are unsure which MHA your orders fall under, check the ZIP code of your duty station against the official lookup linked below.
BAH rates in nearby areas
- Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD BAH rates (MHA MD127)
- Annapolis, MD BAH rates (MHA MD128)
- Eastern Shore, MD BAH rates (MHA MD432)
- Fort Detrick, MD BAH rates (MHA MD130)
See the full index of 2026 BAH rates by location, or use the BAH calculator for the RC/Transient baseline rates and a deeper guide to how BAH works.
Baltimore BAH FAQs
What is the 2026 BAH rate for an E-5 in Baltimore?
An E-5 in the Baltimore, MD area (MD129) receives $2,610 per month with dependents or $2,079 per month without dependents in 2026. BAH is tax-free, and the rate took effect on January 1, 2026.
What is the highest BAH rate in Baltimore?
The highest 2026 locality rate in Baltimore, MD is $3,768 per month, paid to an O-7 through O-10 with dependents. Rates top out at the O-7 level: O-8, O-9, and O-10 are paid at the same locality rate as O-7.
Does this BAH table apply to every installation in the Baltimore area?
Yes. BAH is set by duty station ZIP code, not by installation. This MHA covers 122 ZIP codes, and every duty station inside them uses this same table for 2026, across all services.
Why is my BAH different from the 2026 table?
Common reasons are BAH rate protection (you keep a higher earlier rate while you stay at the same station), a dependent status that differs from the one you looked up, or living in government quarters, where BAH generally is not paid. Your LES and your finance office are the final word on your individual rate.