Naval Station Great Lakes vs Rock Island Arsenal
2026 BAH, cost of living, and housing compared side by side.
Naval Station Great Lakes has the higher housing allowance ($2,427 vs $1,908 for an E-5 with dependents, a $519/month difference), reflecting its higher local cost of living. Rock Island Arsenal is the more affordable market, where a housing allowance stretches further toward buying a home with a VA loan.
| Naval Station Great Lakes | Rock Island Arsenal | |
|---|---|---|
| Branch | Navy | Army |
| Location | North Chicago, IL | Rock Island, IL |
| Personnel | 18,000+ | 6,000+ |
| Cost of living | High | Moderate |
| E-5 BAH (w/dep) | $2,427 | $1,908 |
| E-7 BAH (w/dep) | $2,853 | $2,262 |
| O-3 BAH (w/dep) | $3,018 | $2,298 |
| 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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