San Diego, CA BAH Rates, Housing, Education, & Cost of Living 2026 Update
Discover San Diego BAH Rates, Housing, Education, & Cost-of-Living
Find housing, employment, cost-of-living, and BAH rates for San Diego, CA. Listed below are BAH Rates, college and universities, cost-of-living information, school resources for children of military families, and things to see and do in the San Diego area.
San Diego is a major metropolitan area in California, home port of the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet, and Naval Base San Diego.
Some of the military installations in California include:
- Naval Base San Diego
- Naval Base Point Loma
- Naval Base Coronado
- Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
- Vandenberg Space Force Base
San Diego BAH Rates
| Paygrade | With | Without |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | $ 3,666 | $ 2,763 |
| E2 | $ 3,666 | $ 2,763 |
| E3 | $ 3,666 | $ 2,763 |
| E4 | $ 3,666 | $ 2,763 |
| E5 | $ 3,975 | $ 3,147 |
| E6 | $ 4,404 | $ 3,387 |
| E7 | $ 4,446 | $ 3,678 |
| E8 | $ 4,488 | $ 4,065 |
| E9 | $ 4,671 | $ 4,188 |
| W1 | $ 4,425 | $ 3,564 |
| W2 | $ 4,464 | $ 4,062 |
| W3 | $ 4,521 | $ 4,206 |
| W4 | $ 4,731 | $ 4,410 |
| W5 | $ 4,992 | $ 4,455 |
| O1e | $ 4,449 | $ 3,972 |
| O2e | $ 4,506 | $ 4,161 |
| O3e | $ 4,770 | $ 4,398 |
| O1 | $ 4,032 | $ 3,351 |
| O2 | $ 4,401 | $ 3,873 |
| O3 | $ 4,518 | $ 4,248 |
| O4 | $ 5,082 | $ 4,440 |
| O5 | $ 5,493 | $ 4,458 |
| O6 | $ 5,541 | $ 4,494 |
| O7 | $ 5,586 | $ 4,575 |
Updated with the 2026 BAH data.
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Local Colleges & Universities
The San Diego area is home to several colleges and universities. This is a partial list.
- University of San Diego
- University of California, San Diego
- San Diego City College
- San Diego State University
- San Diego Mesa College
The state of California offers a College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefit program that waives tuition and fees for public colleges and universities throughout the state. Discover more information about the multiple plans offered under this program.
To find more San Diego area schools, use the free CollegeRecon School Finder tool.
Using your GI Bill
Anyone considering using the Post 9/11 GI Bill in San Diego should know the following:
- You may be eligible for the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) if you are a full-time student.
- MHA is comparable to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents.
- MHA is calculated based on the zip code of where you physically attend most of your classes.
- Those attending only online classes receive a set MHA of approximately $1,054 (in 2023)
- Up to $1,000 in books and supplies is available each year.
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill can be transferred to a spouse or dependent, but you must still be on active duty to transfer it.
- The Yellow Ribbon Program provides financial support in specific situations where the GI Bill does not fully cover tuition at participating colleges.
Cost of Living in San Diego
San Diego is considered one of the best places to live on the West Coast because of its access to 70 miles of beaches, Mediterranean climate, and proximity to other cities along the Southern California coast. Bestplaces gives San Diego a cost-of-living score of 154.9, which is 54.9% above the national average and 3.3% above the California average.
The cost of housing in San Diego is considerably higher than the national average, significantly impacting the city’s overall cost of living. The other categories that factor into the cost of living are higher than both the state and national averages, making San Diego an expensive city to live in.
Category/Index
- Overall – 154.9
- Housing – 278.4
- Groceries – 109.7
- Transportation – 120.2
- Utilities – 102.2
Other categories to consider
- Healthcare
- Childcare
- Taxes
San Diego Housing
San Diego is filled with dynamic, family-friendly neighborhoods that have something for everyone. Understanding a new city’s housing landscape is essential when deciding where to live. According to RentCafe, the average rent in San Diego was $2,997 in 2023.
While San Diego is known for its high cost of living, it is still possible to find affordable rents in great neighborhoods. Some of the most affordable and safe neighborhoods currently include:
- Carmel Valley – $2,041 median rent price
- Rancho Bernardo – $1,732 median rent price
- Rancho Penasquitos – $1,678 median rent price
- Sabre Springs – $2,233 median rent price
- Scripps Ranch – $1,666 median rent price
Other desirable neighborhoods in San Diego include Barrio Logan, Imperial Beach, La Jolla, Hillcrest, and Ocean Beach & Point Loma. These neighborhoods are highly rated for their atmosphere, amenities, and overall experience.
According to Realtor.com, the average sale price of a home as of March 2024 is approximately $995,000. San Diego is currently a seller’s market, meaning more people are looking to buy homes than are available.
To learn more about VA Loan Program benefits, you can get a free eligibility assessment from our VA loan partner.
Primary Education
For families with school-age children, living in an area that has high-quality primary schools is essential, as it can affect children’s educational outcomes. Even for families without children, the quality of schools in the area can affect housing prices. The San Diego area is home to many top-rated primary schools and school districts. According to Greatschools.org, some of the best primary schools include:
- Green Elementary School
- Mt. Everest Academy
- Elevate Elementary
- Holmes Elementary School
- San Diego Global Vision Academy
Note that there are currently no DoDEA schools in the San Diego area, but military parents of school-aged children can learn more about the primary education landscape at Naval Base San Diego.
Employment Opportunities in San Diego
San Diego has a thriving economy, home to a diverse set of industries that offer employment opportunities for professionals from various backgrounds. According to the San Diego Department of Economic Development, the following sectors are the backbone of the local economy:
- International Trade
- Manufacturing
- Military
- Tourism
The largest employers in the San Diego area include the U.S Navy, University of San Diego, Cubic Corporation, Pulse Electronics, Scripps Health, Sony, and Sanyo.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in San Diego as of February 2024 is 4.7 percent.
Things to See and Do in San Diego
San Diego is situated on the Pacific coast and is famous for its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and plethora of outdoor activities. The city offers plenty of fun things to do, a thriving arts and culture scene, and a vibrant culinary scene.
Some of the top things to do in San Diego include:
- Spending a day at the famous San Diego Zoo, which is known for its incredible wildlife, Safari Park, and world-renowned conservation efforts
- Learning more about San Diego’s important role in military history by visiting the USS Midway Museum
- Visit iconic Balboa Park, San Diego’s cultural hub. While there, you can enjoy the botanical gardens, the Spanish-Renaissance architecture, 17 museums, and 1200 acres of beauty and culture.
- Have a day of fun in the sun at Coronado Beach, considered one of the best beaches in the country.
- Enjoy a peaceful day surrounded by nature at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
About the author
Sarah Tucci
Sarah is a Philadelphia-based writer. She comes to CollegeRecon with an interdisciplinary background in international relations and cultural heritage with an interest in understanding the intersection of armed conflict and cultural heritage, particularly in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. When not writing for CollegeRecon, Sarah enjoys traveling, watching documentaries, and hanging out with her beloved Pitbull, Brutus.
