What Is Hawaii BAH? (2026 Honolulu County Rates)
Quick answer: 2026 Hawaii BAH ranges from $2,598 to $5,001 per month depending on rank and dependency status.
All military installations on Oʻahu use the same housing allowance: Honolulu County BAH. This includes Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Tripler Army Medical Center, Camp Smith, and Coast Guard installations.
Your BAH changes only by rank and whether you have dependents. It does not change by base location on Oʻahu.
Hawaii BAH is tax-free and is designed to offset local rental market costs as determined annually by the Department of Defense through the Defense Travel Management Office.
The chart below shows the official 2026 Honolulu County BAH rates for every rank.
View full 2026 Hawaii BAH rates by rank
| Rank | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | 3333 | 2598 |
| E-2 | 3333 | 2598 |
| E-3 | 3333 | 2598 |
| E-4 | 3333 | 2598 |
| E-5 | 3663 | 2856 |
| E-6 | 3912 | 3036 |
| E-7 | 4098 | 3348 |
| E-8 | 4302 | 3720 |
| E-9 | 4518 | 3783 |
| W-1 | 3930 | 3222 |
| W-2 | 4182 | 3717 |
| W-3 | 4434 | 3795 |
| W-4 | 4551 | 3951 |
| W-5 | 4692 | 4146 |
| O-1E | 4137 | 3660 |
| O-2E | 4398 | 3768 |
| O-3E | 4572 | 3903 |
| O-1 | 3702 | 2997 |
| O-2 | 3909 | 3555 |
| O-3 | 4428 | 3819 |
| O-4 | 4737 | 4110 |
| O-5 | 4959 | 4224 |
| O-6 | 5001 | 4413 |
| O-7 | 4827 | 4494 |
Using Your Hawaii BAH to Buy a Home
Your Hawaii BAH can be used toward rent or a mortgage payment, and many service members on Oʻahu use their full Honolulu County BAH to qualify for VA loans and purchase homes near their assigned base.
As a Military Relocation Professional who works with PCS families every week, I help service members evaluate realistic price ranges, HOA costs, property taxes, insurance, and commute impact before they make an offer. BAH is powerful on Oʻahu, but using it wisely requires understanding the local market and long-term ownership costs.
MaryJo McGillicuddy, Realtor Associate, Military Relocation Professional
Century 21 Island Homes
📍 91-1105 Keaunui Dr #520, Ewa Beach, HI 96706
📞 (808) 724-4629
✉️ maryjo@c21islandhomes.com
🌐 sellhomeshawaii.com
Related Hawaii BAH & Oʻahu Housing Guides
Hawaii BAH FAQ
Does BAH change between Schofield and Kaneohe?
No. All installations on Oʻahu use the same Honolulu County BAH rate. Your allowance changes only by rank and dependency status, not by base location.
Is Hawaii BAH taxable?
No. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is tax-free and paid in addition to your base pay.
Can I use my full BAH to buy a home on Oʻahu?
Yes. Many service members use their full Honolulu County BAH to qualify for VA loans. Affordability depends on interest rates, HOA fees, taxes, insurance, and overall debt profile.
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