Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Kailua, Hawaii · Marine Corps
Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay is home to the 3rd Marine Regiment and Marine Aircraft Group 24 — the Marine Corps' forward-deployed force in the Pacific, on Oahu's windward coast.
MCB Hawaii sits on Oahu's windward coast — arguably the most beautiful side of the island. Kailua's beach-town charm comes with premium prices, and the Honolulu MHA's high BAH still gets stretched thin. Many Marine families choose on-base housing to simplify the math and enjoy the stunning Kaneohe Bay setting.
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Showing E-5 with dependents for the Honolulu County, HI MHA.
E-5 w/dep BAH
$3,663/mo
Tax-free housing allowance
Median rent
$3,000/mo
Zillow / PCS Pay It Forward 2025–2026
Monthly surplus
+$663/mo
BAH minus median rent
What Your BAH Buys Here
If you rent at median, you keep about $663/month. But what about buying?
Median home price
$900,000
Zillow / Redfin 2026
Est. monthly mortgage (PITI)
$6,000–$6,600/mo
$0 down, ~6.5% rate, ~0.35% property tax + insurance
At $3,663/month BAH and an estimated $6,000–$6,600/month PITI on a median-priced home, BAH may not fully cover a typical mortgage, but it can significantly offset your monthly housing cost — though actual costs vary based on rate, taxes, insurance, and individual circumstances.
Housing cost estimates are approximate and based on publicly available market data. Actual mortgage costs depend on interest rate, property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, maintenance, credit profile, and lender requirements. This is not financial advice — use these numbers as a starting point for your own research.
How This Market Compares
Marine Corps Base Hawaii BAH for E-5 with dependents is $1,602/mo above the national average — and the Honolulu MHA is one of the highest in the country, though Kailua rents still stretch it thin
E-5 w/dep BAH here
$3,663/mo
Natl median E-5 w/dep
$2,061/mo
vs. natl avg
+$1,602/mo
2026 BAH Rates — Honolulu County, HI
Monthly rates for all pay grades. Source: DTMO 2026 BAH data. BAH is not taxable income.
E-4 w/dep: $3,333/mo·E-5 w/dep: $3,663/mo·E-6 w/dep: $3,912/mo
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Enlisted | ||
| E-1 (PVT/SR/Amn/Pvt) | $3,333 | $2,598 |
| E-2 (PV2/FA/A1C/PFC) | $3,333 | $2,598 |
| E-3 (PFC/SA/SrA/LCpl) | $3,333 | $2,598 |
| E-4 (SPC/Cpl/SN/Cpl) | $3,333 | $2,598 |
| E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt) | $3,663 | $2,856 |
| E-6 (SSG/PO1/TSgt) | $3,912 | $3,036 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO/MSgt) | $4,098 | $3,348 |
| E-8 (MSG/1SG/SCPO) | $4,302 | $3,720 |
| E-9 (SGM/CSM/MCPO) | $4,518 | $3,783 |
| Warrant Officer | ||
| W-1 (WO1) | $3,930 | $3,222 |
| W-2 (CW2) | $4,182 | $3,717 |
| W-3 (CW3) | $4,434 | $3,795 |
| W-4 (CW4) | $4,551 | $3,951 |
| W-5 (CW5) | $4,692 | $4,146 |
| Officer (Prior Enlisted) | ||
| O-1E (2LT — prior enlisted) | $4,137 | $3,660 |
| O-2E (1LT — prior enlisted) | $4,398 | $3,768 |
| O-3E (CPT — prior enlisted) | $4,572 | $3,903 |
| Officer | ||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS/2ndLt) | $3,702 | $2,997 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG/1stLt) | $3,909 | $3,555 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT/Capt) | $4,428 | $3,819 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR/Maj) | $4,737 | $4,110 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR/LtCol) | $4,959 | $4,224 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT/Col) | $5,001 | $4,413 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML/BGen) | $5,040 | $4,494 |
O-8, O-9, and O-10 receive the same BAH as O-7. Rates effective January 1, 2026.
Local cost of living context
Overall cost of living is roughly roughly 30–50% above the national average.
Hawaii taxes military pay at up to 11% at the top marginal rate. BAH and BAS remain tax-free.
What to know before you move
Kaneohe Bay is on the windward (east) side of Oahu, and the H-3 tunnel to Honolulu is the only quick route over the mountains. The mistake is living in Ewa Beach or Kapolei (leeward side) for newer homes and then sitting in 45+ minutes of cross-island traffic. Kailua and Kaneohe are right next to base — more expensive, but the commute savings are worth it.
Housing data is approximate and provided for informational and educational purposes only. Median rents and home prices reflect market estimates at time of publication and may not reflect current conditions. School ratings are sourced from third-party services and reflect their methodology. MilPayTools does not endorse specific neighborhoods, properties, landlords, or housing decisions. Always verify figures independently and consult with a qualified professional before making financial commitments.
What to do next
BAH is the starting point. Here are the calculations that matter most for your PCS decision.
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Data Source & Disclaimer
BAH rates are from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) 2026 BAH data, effective January 1, 2026. Rates are set by Military Housing Area (MHA), not individual ZIP code — all ZIPs in the same MHA receive identical rates. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with DoD, DTMO, or any government agency. Verify your entitlement at travel.dod.mil.