Hawaii is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States, which makes Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) especially important for service members stationed there.
Because of this, Hawaii BAH rates are among the highest in the country and vary based on island location, rank, and dependent status.
Each island, including Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, have very different housing markets, availability, and cost of living.
On this page, you’ll find the current Hawaii BAH rates by island and major military location, along with insights into local housing conditions.
Related Article – Military Bases In Hawaii
Hawaii Housing Costs & BAH Overview
Hawaii consistently ranks as one of the most expensive housing markets in the United States.
For example:
- Oahu (Honolulu area) has extremely high housing costs due to population density and military presence.
- Maui and Kauai offer limited housing inventory, which can drive prices even higher.
- The Big Island (Hilo side) is generally more affordable but still expensive compared to mainland states.
Because of these conditions, BAH rates in Hawaii are significantly higher than most states.
Even so, some service members find that housing costs can exceed their monthly allowance depending on location and housing type.
Table of Contents
Major Military Bases in Hawaii
Hawaii has one of the largest concentrations of military installations in the United States, particularly on Oahu:
- Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
- Schofield Barracks
- Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH Kaneohe Bay)
- Fort Shafter
- Wheeler Army Airfield
- Pacific Missile Range Facility (Kauai)
- Pohakuloa Training Area (Big Island)
These installations create strong demand for housing and significantly impact BAH rates across the islands.
BAH For Honolulu / Wahiawa / Waimanalo
Honolulu is the largest city in Hawaii, and its the primary hub for business, finance, and hospitality.
Honolulu also houses the largest military complex of any region along the Hawaii islands.
It’s home to Pearl Harbor which is still active despite being targeted in the Japanese aerial assault that launched the United States into WWII.
Today, the harbor remains a significant naval base as its host to the U.S. Pacific Fleet – the largest naval command in the world.
The military bases near Wahiawa and Waimanalo, include:
- Fort Shafter
- Fort DeRussy
- Wheeler Army Airfield
- Naval Station – Pearl Harbor
- Hickam Air Force Base
- MCB Hawaii
- USCG ISC Honolulu
Meanwhile, the military bases in Oahu/Wahiawa include:
- Schofield Barracks
- Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station – Pacific
Lastly, Bellows Air Force Station is at Waimanalo, also on Honolulu Island.
The following Hawaii BAH rates are paid in monthly installments.
The amount you receive depends on military rank and whether or not you have dependents.
Hawaii BAH rates for Honolulu County are as follows:
Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $3,333 | $2,598 |
| E-2 | $3,333 | $2,598 |
| E-3 | $3,333 | $2,598 |
| E-4 | $3,333 | $2,598 |
| E-5 | $3,663 | $2,856 |
| E-6 | $3,912 | $3,036 |
| E-7 | $4,098 | $3,348 |
| E-8 | $4,302 | $3,720 |
| E-9 | $4,518 | $3,783 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $3,930 | $3,222 |
| W-2 | $4,182 | $3,717 |
| W-3 | $4,434 | $3,795 |
| W-4 | $4,551 | $3,951 |
| W-5 | $4,692 | $4,146 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $3,702 | $2,997 |
| O-1E | $4,137 | $3,660 |
| O-2 | $3,909 | $3,555 |
| O-2E | $4,398 | $3,768 |
| O-3 | $4,428 | $3,819 |
| O-3E | $4,572 | $3,903 |
| O-4 | $4,737 | $4,110 |
| O-5 | $4,959 | $4,224 |
| O-6 | $5,001 | $4,413 |
| O-7 | $5,040 | $4,494 |
Learn more about the military bases situated along the Hawaiian islands.
BAH For Kauai / Kekaha
Kauai, or the “Garden Isle”, exists northwest of Oahu across the Kauai Channel.
The island is renowned for its wilderness including Waimea Canyon State Park and Na Pali Coast State Park.
More worthwhile, the remote location serves as the headquarters for Pacific Missile Range Facility – Barking Sands.
The facility is near an isolated portion of the island called Kekaha.
Military families can find reasonable housing accommodations in its large city – Kapaa.
Kauai features several benefits and high quality of life.
Kauai offers a high quality of life but has limited housing inventory, which can drive prices higher.
Service members stationed at Barking Sands may find fewer housing options compared to Oahu, making early planning essential.
Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $3,588 | $2,757 |
| E-2 | $3,588 | $2,757 |
| E-3 | $3,588 | $2,757 |
| E-4 | $3,588 | $2,757 |
| E-5 | $3,798 | $3,162 |
| E-6 | $4,266 | $3,399 |
| E-7 | $4,410 | $3,597 |
| E-8 | $4,566 | $3,897 |
| E-9 | $4,863 | $4,032 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $4,287 | $3,525 |
| W-2 | $4,476 | $3,894 |
| W-3 | $4,668 | $4,050 |
| W-4 | $4,938 | $4,296 |
| W-5 | $5,262 | $4,446 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $3,861 | $3,375 |
| O-1E | $4,440 | $3,795 |
| O-2 | $4,260 | $3,732 |
| O-2E | $4,638 | $4,002 |
| O-3 | $4,662 | $4,095 |
| O-3E | $4,986 | $4,260 |
| O-4 | $5,376 | $4,416 |
| O-5 | $5,892 | $4,503 |
| O-6 | $5,943 | $4,647 |
| O-7 | $5,991 | $4,731 |
BAH For Maui / Wailuku / Kahului
Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaii islands.
Military housing is also more readily available since it ranks 3rd in population behind Oahu and Hawaii Island.
Families appreciate the vast commercial options for shopping and dining.
Wailuku serves as headquarters for USCG Station Maui.
Thus, there is a sizeable United States Coast Guard presence on the island.
Maui has a competitive housing market with limited availability.
While it offers excellent amenities and lifestyle benefits, service members may find that housing costs approach or exceed BAH depending on location.
Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $3,819 | $2,865 |
| E-2 | $3,819 | $2,865 |
| E-3 | $3,819 | $2,865 |
| E-4 | $3,819 | $2,865 |
| E-5 | $4,329 | $3,246 |
| E-6 | $4,770 | $3,579 |
| E-7 | $5,067 | $3,846 |
| E-8 | $5,382 | $4,422 |
| E-9 | $5,712 | $4,551 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $4,797 | $3,642 |
| W-2 | $5,196 | $4,419 |
| W-3 | $5,586 | $4,566 |
| W-4 | $5,760 | $4,839 |
| W-5 | $5,973 | $5,136 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $4,386 | $3,309 |
| O-1E | $5,127 | $4,326 |
| O-2 | $4,767 | $4,161 |
| O-2E | $5,529 | $4,521 |
| O-3 | $5,571 | $4,608 |
| O-3E | $5,793 | $4,764 |
| O-4 | $6,045 | $5,088 |
| O-5 | $6,378 | $5,268 |
| O-6 | $6,435 | $5,565 |
| O-7 | $6,489 | $5,667 |
BAH For Hawaii Island / Hilo
Hilo is located on the main island of Hawaii.
Despite being the largest island it surprisingly houses only 13% of Hawaii’s overall population.
Additionally, The Big Island is home to the Pohakuloa Training Area.
The training area is the largest Department of Defense (DoD) installation in Hawaii.
It features Bradshaw Army Airfield and has origins that date back to World War II.
The Big Island generally offers more affordable housing compared to Oahu, Maui, and Kauai.
However, its rural nature and limited infrastructure can impact housing availability and commute times for service members.
Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $3,447 | $2,586 |
| E-2 | $3,447 | $2,586 |
| E-3 | $3,447 | $2,586 |
| E-4 | $3,447 | $2,586 |
| E-5 | $3,594 | $3,042 |
| E-6 | $3,837 | $3,312 |
| E-7 | $3,876 | $3,450 |
| E-8 | $3,915 | $3,648 |
| E-9 | $3,993 | $3,711 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $3,855 | $3,408 |
| W-2 | $3,891 | $3,645 |
| W-3 | $3,948 | $3,723 |
| W-4 | $4,014 | $3,840 |
| W-5 | $4,104 | $3,882 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $3,630 | $3,297 |
| O-1E | $3,879 | $3,591 |
| O-2 | $3,834 | $3,549 |
| O-2E | $3,936 | $3,696 |
| O-3 | $3,945 | $3,744 |
| O-3E | $4,026 | $3,828 |
| O-4 | $4,128 | $3,867 |
| O-5 | $4,263 | $3,885 |
| O-6 | $4,299 | $3,921 |
| O-7 | $4,332 | $3,993 |
Is BAH Enough to Cover Housing in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, BAH is designed to offset extremely high housing costs, but it does not always fully cover rent or mortgage payments, especially on Oahu.
Service members stationed on islands like Maui or Kauai may also face limited housing availability, which can increase costs.
Because of this, many military families consider on-base housing or carefully compare off-base options to stay within their housing allowance.
Why Is Hawaii BAH So High?
Hawaii BAH rates are among the highest in the United States due to the state’s exceptionally high cost of living, especially when it comes to housing.
Several factors contribute to these elevated costs.
Limited Land Availability: Hawaii is made up of islands with limited space for development. This naturally restricts the housing supply and drives up prices.
High Demand: Hawaii is a desirable location not only for military personnel but also for civilians, tourists, and remote workers. This creates strong competition for available housing.
Construction Costs: Building materials must often be imported to the islands, increasing the cost of construction and, ultimately, home prices and rent.
Military Presence: Oahu in particular has one of the highest concentrations of military personnel in the country. This adds additional demand to an already competitive housing market.
Geographic Isolation: Hawaii’s distance from the mainland contributes to higher costs for goods, services, and housing overall.
Because of these factors, BAH rates in Hawaii are set significantly higher than most states to help offset housing costs.
However, even with higher BAH rates, some service members may still find that housing expenses—especially on Oahu—can exceed their monthly allowance depending on location and housing type.
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Nick has been serving on Active Duty in the U.S. Navy for the last 10 years. He graduated from Saint Leo University with his B.A. in Accounting and is a graduate student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, pursuing an M.B.A. in Finance.
Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Nick enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. During his deployments onboard the USS Fort McHenry, he traveled to 23 countries on four continents, sailing roughly 42,000 nautical miles across 30 seas and five oceans.
He currently resides in Meridian, Mississippi, connect with him via his LinkedIn profile.