2026 BAH Rates — Chicago, IL
2026 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for Chicago, IL (Military Housing Area IL325), effective January 1, 2026. BAH is a tax-free monthly allowance set by your duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and whether you have dependents.
| Pay grade | With 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 |
| W-1 | $3,720 | $3,090 |
| W-2 | $3,729 | $3,495 |
| W-3 | $3,741 | $3,579 |
| W-4 | $3,795 | $3,696 |
| W-5 | $3,900 | $3,708 |
| O-1E | $3,726 | $3,435 |
| O-2E | $3,735 | $3,552 |
| O-3E | $3,810 | $3,693 |
| O-1 | $3,477 | $2,907 |
| O-2 | $3,699 | $3,354 |
| O-3 | $3,738 | $3,603 |
| O-4 | $3,927 | $3,699 |
| O-5 | $4,086 | $3,711 |
| O-6 | $4,122 | $3,714 |
| O-7 | $4,152 | $3,756 |
Estimate your own pay with the BAH calculator and the full military pay calculator. See all BAH locations or the by-state overview.
Frequently asked questions
How much is BAH in Chicago, IL?
In 2026, an E-5 with dependents stationed in Chicago, IL receives $3,438 per month in tax-free BAH, or $2,736 without dependents. Rates vary by pay grade — see the full table above.
Is BAH taxable?
No. BAH is a tax-free housing allowance, which makes it worth more than the same amount of taxable base pay.