Lake Tahoe, CA BAH Rates, Cost of Living, Education
Find housing, employment, cost-of-living, and BAH rates for Lake Tahoe, CA. Listed below are BAH Rates, college and universities, cost-of-living information, school resources for children of military families, and things to see and do in the Lake Tahoe area.
Discover Lake Tahoe BAH Rates, Housing, Education, & Cost-of-Living
Some of the military installations that are proximal to Lake Tahoe include:
Lake Tahoe BAH Rates
Updated with the 2026 BAH data.
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Lake Tahoe Colleges & Universities
The Lake Tahoe area is home to several colleges and universities. Because the lakes are located in both states, Lake Tahoe straddles California and Nevada, so some universities in the area may be in Nevada.
California offers a College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefit program that waives tuition and fees for public colleges and universities throughout the state. Discover more information about the multiple plans offered under this program.
To find more Lake Tahoe area schools, use the free CollegeRecon School Finder tool.
Using your GI Bill in Lake Tahoe
Anyone considering using the Post 9/11 GI Bill in Lake Tahoe should know the following:
- You may be eligible for the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) if you are a full-time student.
- MHA is comparable to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents.
- MHA is calculated based on the zip code of where you physically attend most of your classes.
- Up to $1,000 in books and supplies is available each year.
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill can be transferred to a spouse or dependents, but you must still be on active duty to transfer.
- The Yellow Ribbon Program provides financial support in specific situations where the GI Bill does not fully cover tuition at participating colleges.
Cost of Living in Lake Tahoe
The area of Lake Tahoe on the California side of the border is known as South Lake Tahoe and is approximately 90 miles from San Francisco. According to BestPlaces, Lake Tahoe has a cost of living score of 143.7 percent, which is 43.7 percent higher than the US average and 4.1 percent lower than the state average.
Category/Index
- Overall – 143.7
- Housing – 211.7
- Groceries – 106.2
- Transportation – 102.6
- Utilities – 110.9
Other categories to consider
- Healthcare
- Childcare
- Taxes
South Lake Tahoe Housing
South Lake Tahoe is a well-known scenic travel destination, but it is also home to many. According to RentCafe, the average rent in South Lake Tahoe is $1,875 and the average apartment size is 718 square feet.
Some of the top communities to live in South Lake Tahoe include:
- AI Tahoe
- Tahoma
- Truckee
- Alpine Meadows
- Kings Beach
Employment Opportunities
According to a report by the Tahoe Prosperity Center, the following sectors contribute to 95 percent of the economic output of the Tahoe Basin:
- Visitor Services
- Environmental Innovation
- Health and Wellness
The Lake Tahoe area attracts about 15 million visitors per year, making tourism an essential part of the local economy. Major employers include resorts, hotels, and tour operators. Additionally, environmental innovation is a vital employment sector due to the environmental protections and green buildings surrounding Lake Tahoe.
Things to Do
Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and home to the largest concentration of alpine ski resorts in the world. The Lake Tahoe area experiences all four seasons and is an oasis for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.
Top things to do in Lake Tahoe include:
- Spending a day at the Emerald Bay State Park to experience the iconic beauty of Lake Tahoe’s natural landscape.
- Taking a hike on the Eagle Falls Trail to see stunning views of Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, the Sierra high country, and waterfalls.
- Taking in the scenery of Lake Tahoe from above in a hot air balloon. This experience is unique because it launches from and lands in the water
- Hitting some of the best ski slopes in the nation, such as Palisades Tahoe, Northstar California Resort, and the Sugar Bowl Resort.
- Go fishing, swimming, and get in touch with local wildlife at the Sugar Pine Point State Park.
About the author
Sarah Tucci
Sarah is a Philadelphia-based writer. She comes to CollegeRecon with an interdisciplinary background in international relations and cultural heritage with an interest in understanding the intersection of armed conflict and cultural heritage, particularly in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. When not writing for CollegeRecon, Sarah enjoys traveling, watching documentaries, and hanging out with her beloved Pitbull, Brutus.
