7 Worst Cities For Navy Families To Live In

If you’re a Navy family, here are 7 cities that you may want to avoid if possible. Many factors influence a city’s suitability, from the local veteran unemployment rate to the availability of VA health facilities. Let’s look at some locations often cited as difficult for those in the military community, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force personnel.

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Table of Contents:

• 1. San Diego, California
• 2. Washington, D.C.
• 3. Honolulu, Hawaii
• 4. New York City, New York
• 5. Anchorage, Alaska
• 6. San Francisco, California
• 7. Los Angeles, California
• Factors Contributing to a City’s Ranking
• Comparing Challenging Cities
• Finding the Right Fit Despite Challenges
• Conclusion

1. San Diego, California

San Diego boasts beautiful weather and beaches, but it frequently appears on lists of challenging locations for military personnel and military veterans. The primary reason is the exceptionally high cost of living. Housing costs, in particular, often outstrip the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) provided to service members, forcing families into long commutes or smaller living spaces than they might prefer.

Finding affordable housing near major bases like Naval Base San Diego or Marine Corps Air Station Miramar can be a significant source of stress. The competitive rental market further complicates the situation. Beyond housing, everyday expenses like groceries, gas, and childcare are substantially higher than the national average, straining family budgets.

2. Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital region, including parts of Virginia and Maryland, hosts numerous military installations, but it comes with a steep price tag. The cost of living is among the highest in the country. Housing near the Pentagon or Joint Base Andrews requires a significant financial commitment, often exceeding BAH rates and impacting the search for high quality, affordable homes.

Traffic congestion is legendary in the D.C. metro area. Commutes can easily consume several hours each day, significantly reducing time available for family, fitness, or personal pursuits. This daily grind contributes to stress and can detract from the overall quality of life, making the transition to civilian life here potentially more draining.

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

Assignment to Hawaii often sounds like a dream, but the reality for military families can be challenging due to factors beyond the beautiful scenery. The cost of living is extremely high, driven by the need to ship most goods to the islands. Groceries, utilities, and gasoline consistently rank among the most expensive in the United States.

Island isolation is another major factor affecting military life in Honolulu. Being thousands of miles from the mainland United States makes visiting family and friends costly and infrequent. This separation can lead to feelings of homesickness and detachment, particularly during long deployments or for families without a strong local support network.

4. New York City, New York

New York City presents an extreme version of the challenges found in other expensive urban areas. The cost of living, particularly housing, is astronomical. Military families assigned to Fort Hamilton or Coast Guard Sector New York often face daunting choices: live in minuscule apartments within the city or endure lengthy, costly commutes from more affordable suburbs in New York or New Jersey.

The sheer scale and pace of NYC can be overwhelming for families accustomed to the structured environment of military bases or smaller towns. Building a sense of community can be difficult amidst the city’s anonymity. Finding affordable, family-friendly activities and reliable childcare adds another layer of difficulty.

While NYC offers unparalleled cultural and career opportunities, accessing them can be tough on a military budget and schedule. The job market is vast but intensely competitive, potentially making it hard for spouses to secure employment matching their skills. The lack of readily accessible green space compared to other duty stations can also be a drawback for families with children.

Serving at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) near Anchorage offers unique outdoor experiences but also significant challenges. The subarctic climate, with its long, dark winters and short summers, can be a difficult adjustment. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real concern, and families must adapt to different recreational activities and lifestyle adjustments, impacting overall veterans health and well-being.

Similar to Hawaii, Anchorage experiences a higher cost of living due to its remote location. Shipping costs elevate the price of groceries, consumer goods, and even utilities. While BAH helps offset costs, families often find their purchasing power reduced compared to postings in the lower 48 states.

Isolation is also a factor in Alaska. Travel to visit family or friends in other states is expensive and time-consuming. While the military community at JBER is strong, the distance from extended support networks can be keenly felt, especially during challenging times like deployments or transitioning to civilian life after service.

6. San Francisco, California

The San Francisco Bay Area is notorious for its exorbitant cost of living, making it exceptionally difficult for military families. Housing costs are among the highest globally, far outpacing BAH rates for personnel stationed at Travis Air Force Base or Coast Guard facilities in the region. This often necessitates living far from the base, resulting in punishing commutes.

Commute times frequently exceed an hour each way due to severe traffic congestion, impacting family time and increasing daily stress. The overall high cost of living permeates every aspect of life, from groceries and gas to childcare and entertainment. This financial pressure can make it hard for families to thrive or save money.

7. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles shares many challenges with San Diego and San Francisco, primarily driven by high living costs and housing unaffordability. Military families stationed at Los Angeles Air Force Base or other installations in the sprawling metropolitan area face immense difficulty finding reasonably priced housing near their duty location. This forces many into lengthy, soul-crushing commutes on congested freeways.

The sheer size of the LA basin can also contribute to feelings of isolation. Unlike smaller towns or more centralized military communities like those found near Fort Worth or Colorado Springs, building a close-knit support network can be harder in such a vast, dispersed area. Accessing essential services, including quality schools or specialized VA health facilities, can also depend heavily on which neighborhood a family can afford.

The job market is large but competitive, and spouses may struggle to find military skill-related jobs or positions offering sufficient pay to offset the high cost of living. The area’s high crime rate in certain neighborhoods adds another layer of concern for families seeking a safe environment. While LA offers endless entertainment, accessing it often comes at a high price, further straining budgets.

Factors Contributing to a City’s Ranking

Several metrics often contribute to why certain cities are less than ideal for military families and veterans. A personal finance website or think tank might analyze cities based on a weighted average score derived from various categories. These often include economic environment, quality of life, and access to health care.

Key economic indicators include the veteran unemployment rate, the overall unemployment rate, job growth rate, median annual income for veterans, and the poverty rate among veterans. Cities with high unemployment or slow job growth offer fewer employment opportunities for transitioning service members and military spouses. A low median annual income, especially when paired with a high cost of living, signals financial strain.

Quality of life metrics might assess housing affordability, commute times, crime rate, school quality, and community support for military families. Access to health care focuses on the availability and quality of VA health facilities and VA benefits administration facilities. A city might rank poorly if it has few VA health options or long wait times, despite having a large veteran population.

Comparing Challenging Cities

To provide a clearer picture, let’s compare some negative aspects of these challenging cities. Note that these are generalizations and specific data points can change.

Cities often considered more favorable for military families, such as some in Texas, Virginia Beach, North Carolina, or near Colorado Springs, tend to offer a better balance. They might boast a lower cost of living, reasonable housing markets, strong veteran employment numbers, ample VA benefits administration support, and welcoming communities.