What Is Hawaii BAH? (2025 Housing Allowance Explained)

Hawaii BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is the monthly, tax-free housing allowance all service members receive based on rank and dependency status. Every military installation on Oʻahu—including Schofield Barracks, Kaneohe MCBH, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Tripler, and Camp Smith—uses one BAH rate: Honolulu County.

The chart below is the definitive 2025 Hawaii BAH table, showing the exact amount for every rank.

2025 HAWAII BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing)

From the above table, it can be seen that Service members with dependents in 2024 got 25% more BAH compared to those without dependents. 

Note: BAH rates only look for dependency status, it doesn’t consider the number of dependents that you have.

This allowance is important for service members and their families to afford decent housing as median rents are over $3,000 per month in many areas of Hawaii.

One of the key financial aspects you need to understand while PCSing to Hawaii is the Hawaii BAH rates. 

It is important for any military member moving to Hawaii to have basic knowledge about the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

With some of the highest BAH rates in the nation, service members can significantly offset the high cost of living in Hawaii with BAH.

What is BAH?

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a non-taxable allowance paid to you in addition to your salary. This BAH amount is added to your base pay to help you meet your housing expenses.

Who gets BAH? It is open to all the service personnel of the United States Armed Forces, these include the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force, and Reserves if applicable. 

In particular, if you reside off-base and government quarters are unavailable, you’re eligible for this allowance.

Why is BAH important?  Housing in Hawaii is relatively costly because the land is scarce and the population density is high. This is where BAH ensures that service members are not spending a lot of their money in search of a decent home.

hawaii home for sale on oahu

BAH Rates in Hawaii for 2025?

BAH is assigned based on your duty location, pay grade (rank), and dependent status allowing you to use it for renting or purchasing a home. 

This means that if you are posted in an area where housing is expensive such as Hawaii, then your BAH will be on the higher side.

Your actual BAH rate may vary and to determine your BAH rate, you can use the BAH calculator developed by DTMO. Here you can enter your pay grade, duty station, and zip code to get the most accurate BAH rate with or without dependents.

BAH Individual Rate Protection

BAH rates are reviewed each year depending on location, economy, and the progress in housing in the area. This means that BAH is variable based on the market prices for houses.

To protect service members from any decrease in BAH. There is this individual rate protection for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) that makes sure there is no decrease in your BAH rate. 

This is good for those who have made long-term commitments with housing and are dependent on BAH. 

Individual rate protection remains in force until and unless the status of the member changes due to:

  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS)
  • Reduction in pay grade
  • Change in dependency status

Also, Service members are entitled to the higher of two amounts: the new BAH rates that went into effect on January 1 or the housing allowance they were paid on December 31 of the preceding year.

Housing Options with Hawaii BAH

The real estate in Hawaii is challenging as it is an island with very little space for construction and new infrastructure. However, Hawaii is a good place for real estate investment.

I know some of my military personnel clients who built impressive real estate portfolios in Hawaii while being stationed here.

In this context, BAH can be helpful in the purchase of a house but it doesn’t cover all the home ownership costs. 

There are other considerations with BAH and housing:

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)

In Hawaii, the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is a special pay for military members to cover their living costs.

  • What does COLA cover?  COLA modifies for the higher expense of living which involves food, fuel, and other requirements. It can go a long way in helping you save on your finances in the long run.
  • How does it work?  COLA is paid out based on rank, dependents, and the duty station. Here is a COLA calculator for you.

Besides COLA, military personnel can also receive Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) which is supposed to cover meals. This is given to Officers and Enlisted members who are in single/unaccompanied Government quarters.

Buying a Home (With BAH & VA Loans)

Given that Hawaii BAH rates are said to be ‘some of the highest in the nation’, you can consider purchasing your home in paradise. 

This can be very much possible through VA loans. Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of VA loans is that they offer a 0% down payment.

  • How does this work? To qualify for a VA loan, you can work with a loan specialist and submit your sources of income like Hawaii BAH, BAS, and COLA, and all military-related income sources along with your application.
  • What about homeownership expenses?  Although BAH helps, other expenses like property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues and maintenance should also be included in your budget.
  • Why choose VA loans? VA loans are also favorable because they come with reasonable interest rates and you don’t have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Here's something cool.  What could you buy just using your Hawaii BAH?

BAH Mortgage Affordability Calculator

Hawaii BAH Mortgage Calculator

Find out how much home your full BAH could buy.

Renting a Home

Another way through which military personnel can utilize their BAH in Hawaii is by renting a house. For renting, you always have to factor in the cost of living and the cost of rent on the islands.

What should you consider when renting?  When searching for rental properties, it’s important to look at locations that fit within your BAH allowance. Research neighborhoods with reasonable rental prices while still being convenient for your daily commute.

What will it cost you? Rental prices vary widely across Hawaii.  For instance, in Honolulu, a two-bedroom apartment is likely to cost $2,000 per month in rent. Your BAH can assist you with rent bills but you have to make sure to factor in other things like water and electricity bills among others.

What are some tips for renting?

Start your search early: The rental market is quite saturated and therefore competition can be quite high.

Use local resources: Look for houses online using a website and local Facebook groups or talk to your sponsor or someone you know at the base.

Consider shared housing: If you are alone, then sharing your house with someone can help you cut down on your expenses greatly.

Types of BAH

As we talked already, BAH rates are dependent on a few factors but did you know there are different types of BAH? Let’s explore the main types of BAH available to service members.

BAH with Dependents and BAH Without Dependents

Mostly you will notice there are BAH With Dependents and BAH Without Dependents.

  • BAH With Dependents is given to service members who have at least one family member who qualifies as a dependent as defined by the government
  • BAH Without Dependents is for single service members or those who have no dependents

Dual Military BAH

For military couples in which both partners are active-duty service members, then both members are provided with their BAH rate dependent on their rank and the number of dependents they have.

If the couple has children, the one with the higher pay grade will be entitled to BAH with dependents while the other will be entitled to BAH without dependents. 

Partial BAH

Partial BAH is for those service members who are living in the Government quarters or on-base barracks but need assistance with their housing expenses.

This allowance is determined by the rank of the officer:

  • BAH Reserve Component/Transit (BAH RC/T) or BAH Type 2.
  • BAH Reserve Component/Transit (BAH RC/T) is a type of BAH that is intended for Guard and Reserve members on short-term active duty
  • BAH RC/T rates are set each year and are calculated by adjusting the previous year’s rates by the national average percentage increase in housing costs.

BAH-Differential (BAH-Diff)

We have the BAH-Differential (BAH-Diff), which is available to service members who pay child support.

This allowance depends on the pay grade and is meant to assist those who have to pay child support. To be eligible for BAH-Diff, the child support payment made must be equal to or greater than the differential BAH-Diff rate applicable to the member’s pay grade.

BAH Data Collection

The Hawaii BAH rates are set by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) based on several important factors. 

To make sure that service members are paid a proper allowance that corresponds to the local housing market, the DoD gathers a lot of data.

Sources of Information and Analysis for BAH

To determine BAH rates, the DoD collects information on the average rent for apartments and houses in various locations in Hawaii

These are some reputable sources of data:

  • U.S. Census Bureau
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Rental listing websites
  • Offices of military housing in the locality

Information is gathered every year for about 300 military housing areas (MHAs) in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. 

The Annual Data Collection Process for BAH

Each year, the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) offers four one-day BAH workshops for the Military Housing Offices (MHO) points of contact. 

These workshops are focused on the training of the housing allowance, introduction to data collection, and reporting aspects.

For each year, the training location and updated data process are listed on this site: https://secure.defensetravel.dod.mil/my.policy

Accurate BAH Data

In computing BAH, the DoD incorporates local market data for rental housing and utility costs such as electricity, heating fuel, water, and sewer. 

This approach ensures that all the costs that are associated with the computation of BAH rates are captured.

This is because the DoD collects a lot of data to determine the BAH rates for military personnel in Hawaii to ensure that they get the right amount of housing support they need.

BAH for Hawaii FAQ’s

1) What is the BAH for Hawaii?

BAH for Hawaii is based on rank, dependency status, and your base location

2) How much is BAH in Hawaii E4?

An E-4 with dependents in Hawaii received a BAH rate of $2,727 in 2024.

3) How much does the military pay in Hawaii?

An E-4 / E-5 in Hawaii will earn a total of $6,000 per month, which includes base pay of $3,066 and BAH of $3,009 per month.

4) Where is the highest BAH rate?

The BAH rates in Honolulu County are among the highest in the state, with an O-7+ with dependents receiving $4,680+ in 2024 and an E-1 with dependents receiving $3,009+

5) Can you get BAH if you're single?

Yes, single service members are entitled to BAH without dependents which is less than BAH with dependents.

6) Do I have to use all my BAH?

No, BAH is all yours and you can choose how to spend it. In Hawaii, BAH is expected to pay for between 80-90% of all your homeownership costs.

7) Can I buy a home with BAH in Hawaii?

Yes, you can use the BAH to pay for a mortgage when purchasing a home in Hawaii.

8) What if I refinance my loan?

If you refinance your mortgage, your BAH will continue as long as you remain eligible and your housing costs don't decrease.

9) Can I buy land with BAH?

Yes, even though BAH is for rental or mortgage payments on a home it can be used for buying a land. 

10) Is Army BAH different than Navy BAH?

No, BAH rates are the same across the various sectors of the military such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Space Force.

11) Do you get OHA or BAH in Hawaii?

Military members assigned to Hawaii receive BAH as their basic allowance according to their rank. (https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/)

Additional Resources

Here are some helpful resources for military personnel moving to Hawaii:

  • The Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website: [2]
  • The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan website: [3]
  • Information on public schools in Hawaii: [4]

About the Author

MaryJo is a certified Military Relocation Professional and a retired military spouse. She has extensive experience helping service members and their families navigate the challenges of moving to Hawaii.

Contact:

If you have any questions about buying a home or just need information about schools, shopping, beaches, or other aspects of life in Hawaii, you can contact MaryJo at (808) 724-4629.

To search for your housing options, you can start your search by browsing through available houses through our listings.

Citations:

  1. Department of Defense: https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/
  2. Defense Travel Management Office: https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/
  3. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.homeloans.va.gov/
  4. Hawaii Department of Education: https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/Pages/Home.aspx

 

What Color Should I Paint My Hawaii Home? A great question to ask yourself.

 

After all, you have spent a lot of time and money on your Hawaiian home so it would only make sense that the colors are perfect for what you want in your life right now.

 

Hawaiian homes are different.  And, while some people go with the traditional white or beige of a beach house, others want to incorporate more color into their Hawaiian home decor.

 

If you need further help with color selection for your Hawaii home please don’t hesitate to contact me at 808-734-4629. I’d love to help you with your decision.

 

What to Use and Not Use as an Exterior Color

 

While you may believe your home is a sure-fire winner when it comes to getting it sold, certain aspects about its exterior will get it sold faster than others.

 

Many homeowners do not realize that the color of their home’s siding or exterior paint may give them an edge during the sales process.

 

Before you review which exterior colors sell a house, you need to know more about the hues that will scare a buyer away.

Foreboding Colors Won’t Sit Well For Your Hawaiian Home

Two colors that will make people wary about buying a house, regardless of its other qualities, are brown or black.

 

These intense shades make it difficult to illicit buyer interest. Don’t even think about using brown, and only use black for exterior accents.

 

Black provides a striking effect on front doors or shutters. However, covering an entire exterior in black is not good karma – especially in Hawaii.

 

A sandy color brown is ok, and like black, deep and dark browns are ok for accents.

Green – Be Careful about the Shade You Choose

If your home is trimmed in green, well, that is okay. However, if your house’s exterior is painted classic green, candy-apple green, or dark green, you may want to consider changing the color.

 

Studies show that these hues of green do not win people over. While it never hurts to choose a color that blends in with other homes, choosing a green might not be such a good idea.

 

For example, a dark green house is difficult to notice. Also, a citrusy green will stand out, but, according to research, lacks buyer appeal.

 

If you must paint the exterior green, it’s best to choose a sage color, which gives the home a more neutral look.  Subsequently, you’ll get more buyer appeal.

 

Yellow paint color for your Hawaiian home

While pale yellow is a happy and sell-friendly color, a bright yellow house will drive a buyer away.

 

When a house is painted in a bright yellow, it sends a message or a warning to the real estate buyer – one that can only be read as CAUTION, or Buyer Beware!

 

Yellow is a lovely color, as long as you don’t paint your home the color of a crosswalk or stoplight.

 

Ocher or pale straw will reap better results.

 

Can I Paint my Hawaii Home Purple?

Purple is a whimsical color, but not a widespread choice when it comes to selling a house.

 

Use a lighter, more neutral shade for your home’s exterior and add purple flowers to a flower box.

 

Keep purple in the places where buyers expect.

 

While people don’t mind to see purple blooms brimming from a planter, they won’t feel the same type of endearment toward a purple-painted house.

 

Not Too Pretty in Pink

Another color you want to avoid when selling your home is the color pink.

 

Again, this color lacks widespread buyer appeal when painted on the outside of a home.

 

Instead, give your home a classic look by painting it a more timeless color, such as traditional white.

 

You want to avoid using the above-listed colors so real estate buyers won’t avoid contacting you.

 

Now that you know what exterior colors are no-no’s, you can focus on the colors that most buyers like.

 

White and Off-white

According siding and painting specialists, you can never go wrong with white or off-white.

 

If you select an off-white or white paint or siding, offset the color with a darker color for contrast.

 

Use the darker hue on the shutters, trim, windowsills, and front door.

 

White is a big draw, as it makes a home look cleaner and better maintained. It is one of the most common colors used when selling homes.

 

Gray is Okay for Your Hawaii Home

Gray is another color that often sells real estate, as long as you don’t go too dark, and use a lighter shade, such as a dove gray.

 

Some people prefer this color, as it is not the commonly used eggshell, off-white, or white colors used for painting exteriors.

 

Painting or Siding a Home in Hawaii

With that being said, painting homes or adding siding in Hawaii is not quite the same as painting or siding homes on the mainland.

 

For one thing, the scenery is different, and so are many of the architectural styles.

 

Therefore, it is important to keep this in mind when choosing an exterior color.

 

If your home is older, you may want to research your home’s architectural design and learn more about what colors are historically important.

 

Some painters will paint a house using “Heritage” colors to compliment a home’s design and history.

 

Making a Color Selection

 

When selecting exterior house colors, you need a main color, trim color, and accent color, all which should fuse nicely, after they are applied to the exterior.

 

What you normally would use as an accent or trim color should not cover the whole exterior, unless, the trim color is white.

 

Choose a lighter or more neutral color for the main part of the home and a complimentary and contrasting color for the trims, windowsills, and door.

 

Look at almost all the homes you see. They are two to three toned and follow this pattern. Lighter colors for the main body and darker accents.

 

Hawaiian-friendly Exteriors

One of the colors to use on Hawaiian homes, is blue-gray, which goes nicely with an off-white or white trim.

 

This color combination sparks an added bit of curb appeal, as it adds more depth and excitement to the color gray.

 

Yellow is also a good color to use, as long as you keep it mellow. When you tone down yellow, it sends out a feeling of optimism and friendliness.

 

Light blue creates a feeling of security and trust, which, after all, is what owning a home is all about.

 

Use pale blue to increase a home’s energy, including your listing price. Another great color to consider is putty – not quite gray but not exactly white.

 

This is an ideal color to use when you live on a street that features lots of trees.

 

What do you think? What color appeals to you?

 

Remember, the exterior colors you choose for your home must have wide-spread appeal.  Look for a fit into the theme of the islands or the surrounding homes in your community.

 

Before you sell your house, think about how people may respond to your home when they see it for the first time.

 

While you may like your home’s exterior color, it may not be the right color for attracting buyer interest.

 

This is a central tenant to what color should I paint my Hawaii home.

 

Please give me a shout or talk to a professional painter if you feel you may need to make a color change.

 

As a Hawaii real estate agent, it is important to provide top-notch exceptional service to your clients. Doing so serves them well and will also help an agent build a strong reputation and a successful career. I take great pride in my professionalism, dedication and attention to detail. Here are some key things that a great Hawaii real estate agent should do for their clients:

 

Understand the local real estate market

As a Hawaii real estate agent, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of the local real estate market. This includes staying up-to-date on market trends, property values, and local laws and regulations. Additionally, this information will enable you to provide key insights to clients as they navigate the complex process of buying or selling a property.

 

Communicate effectively

Good communication is essential in any professional setting, and it is especially important in real estate. You must be responsive to your clients’ needs and questions, and make sure to keep them informed about the status of their transactions at every step of the way. This means returning phone calls and emails promptly.  And, most importantly, providing updates on the progress of negotiations, and being available for in-person meetings as needed.

 

Build strong relationships with clients

Much of your success will depend on your ability to build strong relationships with your clients. This means taking the time to get to know your clients on a personal level.  This will aid in understanding their goals and priorities, and building trust through honesty and transparency. Can’t say this more strongly, trust is the cornerstone of a great relationship with your client(s).

 

Negotiate effectively

As a real estate agent, you will often be called upon to negotiate on behalf of your clients. This could involve negotiating the price of a property, the terms of a contract, or any other aspects of a real estate transaction. To be an effective negotiator, you must be familiar with the local market.  Furthermore, have a good understanding of what is fair and reasonable in a given situation. You should also be able to communicate effectively and build trust with the other party in order to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

 

Provide personalized service

No two real estate transactions are the same. Thus, it’s important to tailor your services to the specific needs of each individual client. This might involve providing customized property listings or recommendations, helping clients navigate the local real estate market, or assisting with the paperwork and legal aspects of a transaction. By providing personalized service, you can help your clients feel confident and comfortable throughout the process.

 

Be knowledgeable about financing options

Many of your clients will need to secure financing in order to buy a property.  It’s critical to have a good understanding of the many financing options available. This could include traditional mortgage loans, FHA loans, VA loans, or other types of financing. By being knowledgeable about financing options, you can really help your clients.  Finally, you might save a deal by helping them find the best solution for their needs.

 

Understand the importance of marketing

Marketing is a critical.  And, it’s important to have a strong marketing strategy in place in order to attract potential buyers and sellers. This could include developing a strong online presence, utilizing social media, creating professional marketing materials, and participating in local events and networking opportunities. Plus, with a strong marketing strategy, you help your clients get their properties noticed and increase their chances of a successful sale.

 

Stay organized and efficient

Real estate can be a complex and fast-paced industry, and it is important to stay organized and efficient in order to provide top-notch service to your clients. This might involve using software tools and systems to manage your workload and keep track of deadlines, as well as staying on top of your schedule and appointments

 

Offer guidance and support throughout the transaction process

Buying or selling a property is a significant and often stressful experience for most people.  Therefore a great Hawaii real estate agent is able to guide their clients throughout the process. This could involve helping clients understand the various steps involved in a transaction, addressing any concerns or questions they may have, and providing resources and support to help them navigate the process smoothly.

 

Help clients navigate any challenges that may arise

Real estate transactions are not always straightforward, and it is common for unexpected challenges or issues to arise. As a Hawaii real estate agent, it is important to be prepared to handle these challenges and help your clients find solutions. This might involve finding creative ways to overcome roadblocks or working with other professionals to resolve any issues that come up.

 

Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor

You are representing your clients and your business so it’s critical to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times. This includes dressing properly for meetings and presentations, being on time, and maintaining a positive and courteous attitude. Additionally, presenting yourself in a professional manner will build trust and confidence with your clients.

 

Stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices

The real estate industry is evolving. Subsequently, great Hawaii real estate agents stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. This might involve taking continuing education courses, attending industry events and conferences.  Furthermore, agents and brokers need to stay informed about new tech and marketing strategies. By staying current on industry trends, you can better serve your clients and stay ahead of the competition.

 

In summary, a great Hawaii real estate agent should have a deep understanding of the local real estate market. They must communicate effectively with their clients, build strong relationships, negotiate effectively, provide personalized service, be knowledgeable about financing options, have a strong marketing strategy, stay organized and efficient, offer guidance and support throughout the transaction process, help clients navigate any challenges that may arise, maintain a professional appearance and demeanor, and stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.