Fort McCoy vs Naval Station Great Lakes
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Naval Station Great Lakes has the higher housing allowance ($2,427 vs $1,395 for an E-5 with dependents, a $1,032/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Fort McCoy is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Fort McCoy | Naval Station Great Lakes | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Army | Navy |
| Location | Sparta, WI | North Chicago, IL |
| Personnel | 4,000+ | 18,000+ |
| Cost of living | Low | High |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $1,395 | $2,427 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $1,875 | $2,853 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $1,923 | $3,018 |
| Typical home price | $200k-$290k | $300k-$430k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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