Illinois is home to several important military installations, including Naval Station Great Lakes and Scott Air Force Base.
Because of this, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates in Illinois vary depending on location, rank, and dependent status.
Housing costs in the state differ significantly between major metro areas like Chicago and more affordable regions such as St. Clair County or Rock Island.
On this page, you’ll find the current Illinois BAH rates for key military housing areas, along with insights into local housing markets.
Related Article – South Carolina BAH Rates
Table of Contents
Illinois Housing Costs & BAH Overview
Housing costs in Illinois vary depending on the region and proximity to major cities.
For example:
- Chicago is one of the most expensive housing markets in the Midwest, especially closer to downtown.
- Naval Station Great Lakes area has moderate housing costs due to its suburban location near Chicago.
- Scott Air Force Base (St. Clair County) offers more affordable housing options compared to larger cities.
- Rock Island and surrounding areas are among the most affordable locations in the state.
Because of these differences, BAH rates are adjusted based on local housing markets.
Many service members choose to live outside major cities to maximize their housing allowance.
Major Military Bases in Illinois
Illinois has a smaller but still significant military presence, including:
- Naval Station Great Lakes
- Scott Air Force Base
- Rock Island Arsenal
These installations influence housing demand in their respective regions and play a key role in determining BAH rates.
BAH For Chicago
Chicago is the third largest city in the country.
As a result, the city (along with the surrounding metropolitan area) features a plethora of housing options.
However, finding something affordable is often another struggle in Chicago, IL.
Regardless, the city is a wonderful place to reside if you can find the right fit for your needs.
Chicago offers freshwater access to Lake Michigan as well as nightlife options downtown.
Military families appreciate that certain neighborhoods in Chicago rank high for education and health care.
Furthermore, O’Hare International Airport provides a way for external families to visit.
Additionally, the Chicago metropolis is your top destination for troops stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes (more information, below).
Review the Illinois BAH rates for Chicago, IL:
Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $3,174 | $2,415 |
| E-2 | $3,174 | $2,415 |
| E-3 | $3,174 | $2,415 |
| E-4 | $3,174 | $2,415 |
| E-5 | $3,438 | $2,736 |
| E-6 | $3,702 | $2,937 |
| E-7 | $3,723 | $3,186 |
| E-8 | $3,732 | $3,498 |
| E-9 | $3,771 | $3,567 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $3,720 | $3,090 |
| W-2 | $3,729 | $3,495 |
| W-3 | $3,741 | $3,579 |
| W-4 | $3,795 | $3,660 |
| W-5 | $3,900 | $3,720 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1E | $3,726 | $3,150 |
| O-2E | $3,735 | $3,495 |
| O-3E | $3,810 | $3,615 |
| O-1 | $3,477 | $2,841 |
| O-2 | $3,699 | $3,195 |
| O-3 | $3,738 | $3,540 |
| O-4 | $3,927 | $3,675 |
| O-5 | $4,086 | $3,735 |
| O-6 | $4,122 | $3,780 |
| O-7 | $4,152 | $3,825 |
BAH For Naval Station Great Lakes
The Great Lakes Training Center serves as boot camp for the United States Navy and supports Recruit Training Command.
Moreover, it’s the largest training facility operated by the U.S. Navy in the country.
The Great Lakes area offers a more affordable alternative to living in Chicago while still providing access to the metro area.
Many service members stationed here find housing in nearby suburbs where BAH is more closely aligned with local rental prices.
Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,202 | $1,653 |
| E-2 | $2,202 | $1,653 |
| E-3 | $2,202 | $1,653 |
| E-4 | $2,202 | $1,653 |
| E-5 | $2,427 | $1,854 |
| E-6 | $2,760 | $2,067 |
| E-7 | $2,853 | $2,211 |
| E-8 | $2,955 | $2,499 |
| E-9 | $3,120 | $2,592 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $2,778 | $2,133 |
| W-2 | $2,895 | $2,496 |
| W-3 | $3,021 | $2,604 |
| W-4 | $3,120 | $2,724 |
| W-5 | $3,240 | $2,850 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1E | $2,886 | $2,280 |
| O-2E | $3,000 | $2,520 |
| O-3E | $3,102 | $2,640 |
| O-1 | $2,532 | $2,001 |
| O-2 | $2,754 | $2,328 |
| O-3 | $3,018 | $2,595 |
| O-4 | $3,195 | $2,820 |
| O-5 | $3,300 | $2,880 |
| O-6 | $3,330 | $2,940 |
| O-7 | $3,354 | $2,970 |
Related Article – Alaska BAH Rates
BAH For Scott Air Force Base
Scott AFB is an iconic military base in Illinois with origins that date back to World War I.
Today, the United States Air Force oversees operations at the airfield.
Scott Air Force Base is the headquarters of Air Mobility Command (AMC) and U.S. Transportation Command.
St. Clair County is considered one of the more affordable housing markets in Illinois.
Service members stationed at Scott Air Force Base often find that their BAH comfortably covers rent or mortgage payments, especially in suburban or rural areas.
Illinois BAH stipends for Scott AFB and St. Clair County residents:
Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,536 | $1,233 |
| E-2 | $1,536 | $1,233 |
| E-3 | $1,536 | $1,233 |
| E-4 | $1,536 | $1,233 |
| E-5 | $1,542 | $1,422 |
| E-6 | $1,998 | $1,530 |
| E-7 | $2,076 | $1,557 |
| E-8 | $2,157 | $1,638 |
| E-9 | $2,325 | $1,770 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $2,019 | $1,551 |
| W-2 | $2,109 | $1,635 |
| W-3 | $2,211 | $1,788 |
| W-4 | $2,367 | $2,013 |
| W-5 | $2,562 | $2,094 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1E | $2,088 | $1,566 |
| O-2E | $2,193 | $1,740 |
| O-3E | $2,397 | $1,992 |
| O-1 | $1,602 | $1,527 |
| O-2 | $1,995 | $1,560 |
| O-3 | $2,208 | $1,830 |
| O-4 | $2,625 | $2,073 |
| O-5 | $2,928 | $2,196 |
| O-6 | $2,952 | $2,214 |
| O-7 | $2,970 | $2,229 |
Related Article – Washington (State) BAH Rates
BAH For Arsenal Island / Rock Island
Arsenal Island, located directly on the Mississippi River, exists approximately halfway between Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, IL.
The U.S. Army utilizes the secluded island for the site of its Rock Island Arsenal.
The facility (which dates back to the 1880s) manufacturers military equipment and ordnance for the government.
Those stationed at Arsenal Island or employed by the government rely on nearby Rock Island, IL.
The small community is very military-friendly with a population of less than 40,000.
On the other hand, service members may discover housing in neighboring Moline and East Moline.
Meanwhile, cities in Iowa (like Davenport and Bettendorf) are within a very reasonable drive from the military base in Illinois.
The Illinois BAH for Rock Island, IL is as follows:
Enlisted Rates For 2026
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $1,722 | $1,389 |
| E-2 | $1,722 | $1,389 |
| E-3 | $1,722 | $1,389 |
| E-4 | $1,722 | $1,389 |
| E-5 | $1,908 | $1,476 |
| E-6 | $2,238 | $1,680 |
| E-7 | $2,262 | $1,728 |
| E-8 | $2,283 | $1,980 |
| E-9 | $2,388 | $2,073 |
Warrant Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $2,259 | $1,695 |
| W-2 | $2,268 | $1,977 |
| W-3 | $2,301 | $2,085 |
| W-4 | $2,379 | $2,196 |
| W-5 | $2,493 | $2,292 |
Officer
| Rank | Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $1,890 | $1,545 |
| O-1E | $2,271 | $1,863 |
| O-2 | $2,247 | $1,833 |
| O-2E | $2,286 | $1,998 |
| O-3 | $2,313 | $2,091 |
| O-3E | $2,424 | $2,178 |
| O-4 | $2,559 | $2,286 |
| O-5 | $2,463 | $2,352 |
| O-6 | $2,481 | $2,022 |
| O-7 | $2,493 | $2,052 |
Illinois Prep Military Schools are abundant in the state. Check out our review, here.
Is BAH Enough to Cover Housing in Illinois?
In many parts of Illinois, BAH is sufficient to cover housing costs, particularly in areas like St. Clair County or Rock Island.
However, in higher-cost areas such as Chicago, housing prices may exceed BAH depending on the neighborhood and type of housing.
Because of this, many military families choose to live in surrounding suburbs to make their housing allowance go further.
- About the Author
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Nick has been serving on Active Duty in the U.S. Navy for the last 10 years. He graduated from Saint Leo University with his B.A. in Accounting and is a graduate student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, pursuing an M.B.A. in Finance.
Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Nick enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. During his deployments onboard the USS Fort McHenry, he traveled to 23 countries on four continents, sailing roughly 42,000 nautical miles across 30 seas and five oceans.
He currently resides in Meridian, Mississippi, connect with him via his LinkedIn profile.