Moving to Scott Air Force Base
Scott sits in the Illinois suburbs east of St. Louis, a mainly staff and command installation that hosts Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command. Families get big-metro amenities with low suburban housing costs, a short drive to downtown St. Louis and well-regarded Metro-East school districts.
| Branch | Air Force |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | O'Fallon / Belleville, IL |
| Airports | MidAmerica Airport (BLV) next to the base with limited service; St. Louis Lambert (STL) roughly 25-40 min |
| Climate | Hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. |
| Cost of living | Lower than the US average for housing; off-base 3-bedroom homes in O'Fallon, Belleville and Shiloh are reported around $1,000-$1,400, though Illinois taxes are a drawback. |
| On-base housing | Scott Family Housing, privatized and managed by Hunt Military Communities |
| Medical care | 375th Medical Group clinic (Memorial Hospital in Belleville is the closest civilian hospital) |
| Family support center | Airman & Family Readiness Center |
Where families live
O'Fallon
A well-known military-family favorite with newer subdivisions, shopping and highly rated districts.
Belleville
Older, established city with a historic downtown; its mailing address serves the base and the nearby hospital is here.
Shiloh
Affordable newer housing right beside the base, popular with first-time buyers and renters.
Mascoutah
Small-town feel just southeast of the base; its district has historically served some on-base children.
Edwardsville
A longer drive, but known for strong schools and a college-town atmosphere.
Schools
There are no DoDEA schools. Families live in the Metro-East districts around the base, with O'Fallon, Belleville and Edwardsville frequently cited as strong, and Mascoutah serving some on-base housing. Check current boundaries for your housing area with the School Liaison Office.
- O'Fallon District 90 and Township High School District 203 — Frequently named as top-rated and popular with military families.
- Belleville school districts — Described as excellent by families who live there.
- Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 — Strong reputation; a longer commute from base.
- Mascoutah Community Unit District 19 — Has historically served children from on-base housing.
Scott AFB School Liaison Office, through the Airman & Family Readiness Center
Things to do near Scott Air Force Base
- Gateway Arch National Parkday-tripSt. Louis' iconic arch and riverfront downtown, reachable in under an hour.
- Saint Louis Zoo in Forest ParkfamilyFree zoo in a large city park that also holds an art museum and science center.
- Busch StadiumsportsCardinals baseball in downtown St. Louis.
- City MuseumfamilyA sprawling, hands-on art-and-architecture playground downtown.
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic SitemuseumUNESCO World Heritage site preserving a large pre-Columbian Native American city.
- Julius J. Knobeloch Woods Nature PreserveoutdoorsClose-in trail preserve that allows leashed dogs.
- Skyview Drive-InfamilyOne of the last drive-in theaters in the St. Louis area.
- St. Louis barbecuefoodLocal spots such as Pappy's Smokehouse and Sugarfire are favorites for ribs and brisket.
- Missouri wine countryday-tripEasy weekend wineries across the river.
Realtors & local services
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Local programs & support
- Illinois State Parks military daysActive-duty personnel and veterans receive free admission to some Illinois state sites on designated days.
PCS tips for Scott Air Force Base
- Contact the Military Housing Office as soon as orders arrive; moderate waitlists are reported for the privatized Hunt neighborhoods.
- Compare O'Fallon, Belleville and Shiloh before committing to a lease, and match the address to the school district you want.
- Allow extra time at the main gate during peak hours; delays of 5-15 minutes are reported.
- Unaccompanied housing is available for junior enlisted members; E-1 to E-3 and some E-4s are typically required to use it.
- Ask about Illinois vehicle registration and tax rules at in-processing if you are changing your state of residence.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Midwest & Plains
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.