Naval Station Great Lakes PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Local Intel

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Naval Station Great Lakes is the Navy's only boot camp with 40,000 recruits annually. Home to Recruit Training Command, "A" schools, and training commands. This is where every Navy sailor starts their career.

Key Numbers:

• BAH vs. Rent: Tight fit (E5 BAH barely covers median 3BR house, Chicago metro is expensive)
• Median 3BR Rent: $2,100/month (expensive—Chicago metro pricing)
• School Quality: Live in Libertyville/Gurnee (8-9/10), avoid Waukegan/North Chicago (4-6/10)

What This Guide Covers: Housing neighborhoods with real prices, school ratings by name, Chicago-area local intel, and training command realities.

Want real-time data? This guide provides 2025 rates and static intel. For live housing prices, current school ratings, and personalized recommendations, use Base Navigator → (Premium)

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Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

• Official Name: Naval Station Great Lakes
• Location: Great Lakes, IL (North Chicago, Lake County) - 40 miles north of Chicago
• Size: 1,628 acres
• Population: 7,000 active duty + 5,000 civilians + 13,000 students (recruits, "A" school)
• Branch: Navy (Recruit Training Command, Training Support Center)
• Major Commands: Recruit Training Command (boot camp), Center for Information Warfare Training, Navy Medicine Training Support Center
• Climate: Cold snowy winters (10-30°F), hot humid summers (75-90°F), brutal lake-effect weather
• Nearest Major City: Chicago, IL (40 miles south)

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BAH Rates

BAH rates sourced from Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), updated annually. See official source →

Key Insight: BAH barely covers rent in good areas (Libertyville/Gurnee). Chicago metro is expensive—you'll pocket $0-200/month at best. Live in better suburbs (Libertyville) and break even, or live in cheaper areas (Waukegan) and pocket $300-500 but sacrifice schools. This is a break-even post, not a money-saver.

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Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

🏆 Tier 1 - Best for Families (Live Here)

Libertyville, IL (Northwest of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $2,300/month
• Commute: 10-15 minutes to main gate
• Schools: 9/10 (Libertyville schools—best in area)
• Vibe: Upscale suburb, safe, family-oriented, downtown charm
• Best Areas: Central Libertyville, near downtown
• Why: Best schools, safe, close commute, but BAH barely covers rent (pocket $0-100/month)

Gurnee, IL (West of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $2,000/month
• Commute: 10-15 minutes to main gate
• Schools: 8/10 (Warren Township High School District 121)
• Vibe: Suburban, family-friendly, Six Flags Great America nearby
• Best Areas: Near Six Flags, west Gurnee
• Why: Good schools, slightly cheaper than Libertyville, pocket $100-200/month

Mundelein, IL (Southwest of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,900/month
• Commute: 15-20 minutes to main gate
• Schools: 7-8/10 (Fremont School District 79)
• Vibe: Suburban, growing, mix of old and new
• Why: More affordable than Libertyville, decent schools, pocket $200-300/month

⚠️ Tier 2 - Livable But Research Carefully

Lake Bluff, IL (North of base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $2,500/month
• Commute: 5-10 minutes to gate
• Schools: 9/10 (Lake Bluff schools—elite)
• Vibe: Affluent, lakefront, expensive
• Trade-off: Best schools but BAH won't cover (need $300-500/month out of pocket)

Waukegan, IL (Adjacent to base):

• Median 3BR Rent: $1,500/month
• Commute: 5-10 minutes to gate
• Schools: 4-6/10 (Waukegan schools—weak)
• Vibe: Urban, industrial, high poverty, mixed areas
• Safe Pockets: West Waukegan near Amstutz Expressway
• Trade-off: Cheapest option, pocket $500-700/month, but sacrifice schools and safety

❌ Tier 3 - Avoid Unless You Know What You're Doing

North Chicago, IL (Base borders):

• High crime, terrible schools (3-5/10), run-down
• Not worth the $200-300/month savings
• Even base proximity doesn't justify the risk

Pro Tip: Libertyville (9/10 schools) or Gurnee (8/10 schools) are the best bets for families—safe, good schools, short commute, but BAH barely covers rent. Mundelein is the value play (7-8/10 schools, pocket $200-300/month). Avoid Waukegan/North Chicago unless you're desperate to save money.

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Schools

Top Elementary Schools

• Rockland Elementary (Libertyville) - 9/10 - Best in area
• River Trail Middle School (Gurnee) - 8/10 - Warren Township
• Fremont Elementary (Mundelein) - 8/10 - Fremont SD 79

Top Middle Schools

• Oak Grove Middle (Libertyville) - 9/10 - Excellent
• River Trail Middle (Gurnee) - 8/10 - Warren Township

Top High Schools

• Libertyville High (Libertyville) - 9/10 - Best high school near base
• Warren Township High (Gurnee) - 8/10 - Solid academics, large school
• Mundelein High (Mundelein) - 7/10 - Decent option

Schools to Avoid

• Waukegan Public Schools - 4-6/10 - Underfunded, low test scores
• North Chicago Schools - 3-5/10 - Struggling district, avoid

School District Strategy: Libertyville (9/10) is the gold standard but expensive ($2,300 rent). Gurnee (8/10) is solid and cheaper ($2,000). Mundelein (7-8/10) is the value play ($1,900). Waukegan/North Chicago (3-6/10) are weak—avoid unless saving money is your only priority.

For live school ratings and neighborhood analysis: Base Navigator →

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Local Intel (What You Actually Need to Know)

Cost of Living

Overall: +8% higher — Chicago metro = expensive
Housing: +15% higher — BAH barely covers rent in good areas
Groceries: +5% higher — Commissary helps but off-base is pricey
Gas: +8% higher — Illinois gas tax is brutal

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in Gurnee): $2,000
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $220
• Groceries: $850
• Gas (commute + errands): $180
• Internet/Streaming: $110
• Kids (activities, daycare part-time): $500

Total: ~$3,860/month (E5 BAH + BAS barely covers housing + groceries, pocket $50-150/month)

State Taxes

• Illinois: 4.95% state income tax (flat rate)
• Property Taxes: Highest in nation (if buying, avoid)
• Military Benefit: Active duty can claim home state of record (tax advantage if from no-income-tax state)

BAH Reality: E5 with dependents BAH (~$2,200) barely covers Gurnee rent ($2,000) with $200 left over. Live in Libertyville ($2,300) and you're $100 short. Live in Waukegan ($1,500) and pocket $700, but schools are 4-6/10. This is NOT a money-saving post.

Pro Tip: Chicago metro is expensive. Budget carefully. Use the commissary (saves 20-30%), avoid eating out in Chicago ($$$), and don't expect to pocket much BAH. This is a break-even duty station.

Traffic & Commute

• Rush Hour: 7-9am, 4-6:30pm (brutal if commuting to Chicago)
• Best Roads: IL-137 (Buckley Road), IL-132 (Grand Avenue)
• Worst: I-94 south to Chicago (gridlock daily, 1+ hour in traffic)
• Pro Tip: Live within 10-15 min of base (Libertyville/Gurnee), don't commute to Chicago daily

Commissary & NEX

• Best Times: Weekday mornings, early afternoons
• Worst Times: Weekends (packed), paydays (madhouse)
• Off-Base Alternative: Jewel-Osco (expensive), Walmart (Gurnee), Costco (membership needed)

Things You Should Know

• Winter is brutal: -10°F with lake-effect snow, black ice, 50 mph winds off Lake Michigan
• Boot camp noise: Constant marching cadences, drills, reveille 24/7
• Training base: High turnover (recruits every 8 weeks, "A" school students 3-6 months)
• Chicago proximity: 40 miles south—great city (museums, food, sports), but $$$
• No deployments: If you're at Recruit Training Command or schoolhouse staff, mostly CONUS

Hidden Gems

• Chicago, IL (40 miles) - World-class museums, food, Navy Pier, Millennium Park
• Milwaukee, WI (45 miles north) - Breweries, lakefront, cheaper than Chicago
• Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, 10 min) - Theme park, season passes common
• Illinois Beach State Park (Zion, 10 min) - Beach, trails, free camping
• Weekend Trips: Madison WI (2 hours), Door County WI (3.5 hours), Starved Rock State Park (2 hours)

Areas to Avoid

• North Chicago (high crime)
• Waukegan south of Washington Street (rough areas)
• Chicago South Side (very high crime, 50 miles away)

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What's It Like to Live at Naval Station Great Lakes?

Naval Station Great Lakes is THE Navy boot camp—every sailor starts here. If you're stationed here permanently, you're likely Recruit Training Command (RTC) staff, schoolhouse cadre, or medical/support. The base is transient—40,000 recruits annually, plus "A" school students rotating through. You'll hear marching cadences and reveille constantly. This is NOT a fleet base—it's a training factory.

Mission Reality:

• RTC Staff: CONUS shore duty, minimal deployments, repetitive training schedule
• Schoolhouse Cadre: Teaching "A" school students, stable CONUS job
• Medical/Support: Hospital, dental, galley staff—shore duty
• Students: Recruits (8 weeks), "A" school students (3-6 months)—constant turnover

Quality of Life:

• Expensive: Chicago metro pricing, BAH barely covers rent ($0-200/month savings)
• School Divide: Libertyville/Gurnee (8-9/10) vs Waukegan/North Chicago (3-6/10)
• Location: 40 miles to Chicago (world-class city, but expensive)
• Weather: Winter is brutal (-10°F, lake-effect snow, 6 months of cold)

The Good:

• Chicago is 40 min away (museums, food, sports, culture)
• Shore duty = stable schedule, no deployments (RTC/schoolhouse)
• Libertyville/Gurnee schools are excellent (8-9/10)
• Milwaukee 45 min north (breweries, cheaper than Chicago)

The Not-So-Good:

• BAH barely covers rent (pocket $0-200/month at best)
• Winter is miserable (cold, snow, lake-effect weather 6 months)
• Waukegan/North Chicago schools are terrible (3-6/10)
• Boot camp noise 24/7 (marching, cadences, drills)
• High cost of living (groceries, gas, everything more expensive)

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Cost of Living Breakdown

Cost of Living

Overall: +8% higher — Chicago metro = expensive
Housing: +15% higher — BAH barely covers rent
Groceries: +5% higher — Use commissary to save
Transportation: +8% higher — Gas + tolls expensive

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

• Rent (3BR off-base in Gurnee): $2,000
• Utilities (electric, water, trash): $220
• Groceries: $850
• Gas (commute + errands): $180
• Internet/Cable: $110
• Childcare (part-time): $500
• Car Insurance: $160
• Misc (restaurants, entertainment): $200

Total: ~$4,220/month
E5 BAH + BAS: ~$4,300/month (barely covers everything, pocket $50-100)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH (~$2,200) covers Gurnee rent ($2,000) with $200 left over. Live in Libertyville ($2,300) and you're $100 short. Live in Mundelein ($1,900) and pocket $300. This is a break-even post.

Savings Potential: Low—pocket $0-200/month at best. Use commissary (saves 20-30%), cook at home, avoid Chicago restaurants ($$$). You won't save money here.

Pro Tips:

• Gurnee = best value (8/10 schools, pocket $100-200/month)
• Commissary is critical (saves 20-30% vs off-base)
• Avoid Chicago dining ($50+ per person, adds up fast)
• Illinois tolls everywhere (budget $50-80/month for I-Pass)

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Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Chicago metro has a strong job market (healthcare, finance, tech, manufacturing), but you'll compete with millions. Remote work is your best bet for flexibility and avoiding brutal Chicago commutes. Local Lake County jobs (Waukegan/Gurnee) are limited to retail, healthcare, or education.

Top Spouse Employers:

1. On-Base Contractors: Serco, SOC (IT, admin, medical support - $45K-75K)
2. Healthcare: Vista Medical Center (Waukegan), Advocate Condell (Libertyville) - RN $70K-85K
3. Education: Lake County schools (teachers start $45K)
4. Chicago Healthcare (40 min) - Northwestern, Rush, UChicago - RN $80K-95K (but commute brutal)
5. Retail: Gurnee Mills (mall), Target, Costco - flexible hours, $26K-35K
6. Remote Work: Best option—Chicago companies hiring remote ($50K-80K)

Average Spouse Salaries:

• Healthcare (RN): $70,000-85,000 (local), $80,000-95,000 (Chicago)
• On-base contractor (admin/IT): $45,000-75,000
• Teaching (IL): $45,000-60,000
• Retail management: $28,000-38,000
• Remote work (varies): $50,000-80,000

Military Spouse Preference:

• Naval Station Great Lakes has large NAF workforce (CDC, NEX, MWR)
• Fleet & Family Support has job assistance programs
• MyCAA grants available for education/certifications
• Chicago job market is strong but competitive and expensive commute

Childcare Situation:

• CDC Waitlist: 6-12 months (get on list at PCS orders)
• Off-Base Daycare: $200-280/week per child (expensive—Chicago metro pricing)
• FCC (Family Child Care): On-base home providers, $180-240/week
• School-Age: Before/after school programs $120-180/week

For Families:

• Schools: Libertyville (9/10) or Gurnee (8/10) - prioritize this
• Activities: Chicago museums, Six Flags, Illinois Beach State Park
• Support: Strong spouse community (training base = stable families, not transient fleet)

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Common Questions About Naval Station Great Lakes

Q: Is Naval Station Great Lakes a good duty station? A: If you're RTC staff or schoolhouse cadre, yes—stable shore duty, no deployments, near Chicago. If you expect fleet life, no—this is a training base with boot camp noise 24/7. Housing is expensive (pocket $0-200/month), but schools are good in Libertyville/Gurnee. Winter is brutal (6 months of cold), but Chicago is 40 min away. Solid "raise a family" assignment if you can handle the cost.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base? A: Off-base is better for most. On-base housing is 7/10 quality with long waitlists. Live in Gurnee ($2,000 rent, 8/10 schools) and pocket $100-200/month. Only live on-base if you're brand new to the Navy or need the convenience.

Q: What's the difference between Libertyville and Gurnee? A: Libertyville has the best schools (9/10) but costs more ($2,300 rent) and BAH barely covers it. Gurnee has good schools (8/10), cheaper rent ($2,000), and pockets $100-200/month. Most families pick Gurnee—best value. Libertyville is worth it if schools are your #1 priority and you can afford $100/month out of pocket.

Q: How bad is Waukegan? A: Mixed. Some areas are rough (high crime, 4-6/10 schools), others are livable. West Waukegan near Amstutz Expressway is safer. You'll save $500-700/month vs Libertyville, but sacrifice schools (4-6/10) and safety. Not recommended for families with kids.

Q: Can I avoid deployments at Great Lakes? A: Yes. If you're RTC staff, schoolhouse cadre, or medical/support, deployments are rare (shore duty). This isn't a fleet base—it's a training command. Expect CONUS assignments, occasional TDY, but minimal sea time.

Q: How bad is the winter? A: Brutal. -10°F to 30°F from November-March (5 months). Lake-effect snow (2-3 feet), black ice, 50 mph winds off Lake Michigan. Buy winter gear (parka, boots, ice scraper). Expect to shovel your driveway weekly. Many sailors hate it.

Q: Can my spouse find work? A: Yes, but competitive. On-base contractor jobs pay $45K-75K (IT, admin, medical). Local healthcare (RN) pays $70K-85K. Chicago has strong job market ($80K-95K RN, finance, tech), but 40-minute commute is brutal. Remote work is best option—many spouses work remotely for Chicago companies ($50K-80K).

Q: What's the cost of living? A: 8% above national average—Chicago metro is expensive. BAH barely covers rent ($0-200/month savings). Gas, groceries, tolls all higher. Use commissary to save 20-30%. You won't save money here—this is a break-even duty station.

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Next Steps: Your PCS Toolkit

This guide gave you the local intel. Now use our premium tools to execute:

1. Interactive Data (Live Updates)

Base Navigator →

• Real-time housing prices
• Current school ratings
• Weather patterns
• Neighborhood rankings

2. Your Personal PCS Plan

PCS Copilot →

• Custom 180-day timeline
• Document checklist
• JTR-compliant entitlements
• Finance office ready

Planning your PCS? Our PCS Copilot → generates your custom 180-day timeline with JTR-compliant entitlements and finance-office-ready documentation.

Based on Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Official regulations →

3. Paycheck Audit

LES Auditor →

• Scan for missing entitlements
• BAH/BAS verification
• Tax withholding check

4. Ask the Expert

Ask Military Expert →

• Great Lakes-specific questions
• Spouse employment intel
• School district comparisons

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Official Resources & References

This guide synthesizes data from official Department of Defense sources. For additional information:

• Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) - Official military pay and allowances
• Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) - PCS entitlements and regulations
• MilitaryOneSource - Free 24/7 counseling and family support
• Defense Travel Management Office - Official BAH rates and per diem

Last verified: 2025-01-15. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.