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    Hawaii BAH lower than SanDiego

    PCSing to Hawaii next month its just insane how San Diego gets more BAH like $500 more than Hawaii. Just took house hunting leave to hawaii the place is old and the real estate market is more outrageous than San Diego. I understand you get COLA in HI. But this is ridiculous! Please tell me you hawaii active duty folk complained and submitted the bah survey earlier this year!?

    Hawaii BAH lower than SanDiego
    byu/jake-wisk inMilitaryFinance



    Posted by jake-wisk

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    15 Comments

    1. BeastmodeAzn08 on

      I left Hawaii last year, they bumped BAH up by about $350, then slashed COLA by 50%. It was a net loss of about $200. All because people were too lazy to do the surveys correctly.

    2. EWCM on

      There is no such thing as a “BAH survey”. An outside firm analyzes the local rental market. There’s a servicemember assigned who is supposed to help with determining which housing to include in the analysis. 

    5. Worst_smurf_NA on

      BAH hasn’t caught up to being reasonable in most locations, but especially the VHCOL areas, like Hawaii

      Here’s to hoping that the plan to push BAH back from 95 to 100% comes to fruition soon

    6. Peachy9893 on

      Look on AHRN for rentals. We found that you could find better places for the price on it, but specifically only in Hawaii.

    7. el_drewskii on

      While I hated living there sometimes, I can’t imagine the financial burden my family would have been put through if we didn’t live in the Navy’s privatized housing out there. If you’re single you can get a place by yourself and pay the difference or get some roommates.

    8. Divinegenesis on

      I was in Hawaii for 3 years before now NYC

      Just looked to compare what I’d be getting there now ($3024 vs what I’m getting here $4425 *went up about $1000 FY23 to FY24 here) and im only paying like $400 more per month here than I was for my place in Hawaii, and $250 of that is just for a parking spot) I’m definitely using the extra to max my TSP and IRA more comfortably while I’m here

    9. jkrushin92 on

      Officer that came from SD. I pay more over BAH for a lesser quality place in Hawaiian compared to San Diego. It baffles me we get less BAH than San Diego here. Cola is supposed to be for groceries and such, not housing.

    10. Yennicide on

      I’m in the Netherlands, it bah is not catching up neither. I’m currently paying 2000 euro, next poor guy is paying 2500 as homeowner raise prices to match markets value. Bah still around 2000.

    11. Realtormegan808 on

      Gas is cheaper, and some groceries are a better price. Hosing costs are similar, or higher, depending on what part of the island you’re looking.

    12. 808realestate on

      Lol we all submitted the survey. I saw a notice put out by the DOD saying 40% of BAH was miscalculated. Housing here is more expensive, but we also don’t have as high property taxes as SD. We have the lowest property tax in the national. I have a PCS guide I made from when we came over. Happy to send it your way.

    13. Eggsy_GT on

      I was in Hawaii for 6 years. Either BAH goes up and COLA goes down, or the vice versa. BAH increase is not helpful because most live in housing that just takes the increase.

    14. bobbyusn on

      Well, if you could post the actual BAH amount you are getting and general base you are going to it would help me give you some ideas on where to live. I am not in uniform anymore, but as GS. Took an assignment overseas and we rented our house on West Oahu for $4000 a month. It rented in one week with multiple applications.

      Here is what I would recommend, if you work on JBPHH best is to live in town, since you can hopefully avoid H1 traffic because it really sucks. H3 from Kaneohe and Kailua are very do able to drive and I find the Windward side of Oahu much better than town or the West.

      Use Hi central realest site – google that and it should pop up – this is what realtors use to look at things. In case you do have a fam with you then base housing is your best bet. Also, if you want new construction look for rentals in Hoopili in Ewa Beach, Kapolei areas thats the bulk of new stuff on island.

    15. heaving_souls on

      Sure, you won’t get 2000+ square feet, but just a quick zillow search shows me about 75 results under 250k. Some are garbage, but others are decent. That your options into consideration and realize that you’re going to hate the upfront “loss,” but when you leave and make 100-200k on your sale in 3 years, you’ll be happy. I’m almost positive you’d have to go to hell and back to find anything livable in a good part of San diego for 250k.

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