Naval Station Great Lakes vs Scott Air Force Base
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Naval Station Great Lakes has the higher housing allowance ($2,427 vs $1,542 for an E-5 with dependents, a $885/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Scott Air Force Base is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Naval Station Great Lakes | Scott Air Force Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Navy | Air Force |
| Location | North Chicago, IL | O'Fallon, IL |
| Personnel | 18,000+ | 13,000+ |
| Cost of living | High | Low |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,427 | $1,542 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,853 | $2,076 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $3,018 | $2,208 |
| Typical home price | $300k-$430k | $240k-$350k |
BAH source: DoD/DTMO 2026 rate tables (travel.dod.mil). Home prices are typical local ranges.
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