Moving to Scott Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to O'Fallon, Illinois.
Also known as: Scott AFB
Scott Air Force Base, in the Metro East area across the river from St. Louis, hosts U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command. Families PCSing here settle in O’Fallon, Shiloh, or Mascoutah, in an affordable Illinois-side market with strong schools and easy access to the St. Louis metro.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families near the flightline, with the usual waitlists. Off-base, O’Fallon and Shiloh are the family favorites for schools and newer neighborhoods, Mascoutah sits right by the base with the shortest commute, and Belleville offers the most affordable inventory. Low Metro East prices make buying with a VA loan common.
Where military families live near Scott Air Force Base
Families PCSing to Scott Air Force Base most often settle in O'Fallon / Shiloh, Mascoutah, Belleville. The table below shows typical rents, home prices, and drive time to the gate for each.
| Area | 3-bed rent | Home prices | To gate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon / Shiloh | $1,250-$1,750 | $240k-$350k | 10-20 min | Family favorites with strong schools and newer neighborhoods. |
| Mascoutah | $1,150-$1,600 | $220k-$320k | 5-10 min | Right by the base with the shortest commute and small-town feel. |
| Belleville | $1,050-$1,500 | $180k-$280k | 15-25 min | Most affordable inventory and a larger town nearby. |
2026 BAH near Scott Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Scott Air Force Base is set by the IL093 (Scott AFB, IL) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,542 | $1,422 |
| E-7 | $2,076 | $1,557 |
| O-3 | $2,208 | $1,830 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Scott Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon Township High School | High | O’Fallon Township HSD 203 | O'Fallon |
| Mascoutah High School | High | Mascoutah CUSD 19 | Mascoutah |
| Hickory/Wren Hollow Elementary | Elementary | O'Fallon CCSD 90 | O'Fallon |
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Where do most families live near Scott AFB?
O’Fallon and Shiloh are the family favorites for their strong schools and newer neighborhoods, about 10 to 20 minutes from base. Mascoutah sits right by the gate with the shortest commute and a small-town feel. Belleville offers the most affordable homes and a larger town a bit farther out.
How close is Scott AFB to St. Louis?
Scott AFB is about 25 miles east of downtown St. Louis in the Metro East area of Illinois, roughly a 30-minute drive. Families get the affordability of the Illinois side while still reaching St. Louis for jobs, sports, and amenities. MetroLink light rail also connects the base area to the city.
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