Redstone Arsenal PCS Guide: BAH Rates, Housing, Schools & Rocket City Life

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Redstone Arsenal is the Army's premier missile/aviation hub in Huntsville, Alabama ("Rocket City"), home to 38,000 military/civilian/contractors. Low deployment tempo, high tech mission, affordable housing, growing city with NASA culture.

Key Numbers:

BAH vs. Rent: Very comfortable (Alabama is affordable, BAH exceeds rent significantly)
Median 3BR Rent: $1,500/month (Southern affordability)
School Quality: Good to Excellent (Madison City 8-9/10, Huntsville City 7-8/10)
Deployment Tempo: Low (missile/aviation support, CONUS assignments, predictable schedules)
Mission: Army Materiel Command HQ, Aviation & Missile Command, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

What This Guide Covers: Huntsville housing realities, "Rocket City" tech culture, school options, and Alabama local intel.

Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

Official Name: Redstone Arsenal (established 1941, World War II chemical weapons facility, now missile/space hub)
Location: Huntsville, Alabama (Northern Alabama, 100 miles north of Birmingham, 100 miles south of Nashville)
Size: 38,000 acres (includes NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Population: 38,000 military + civilian + contractors (Army Materiel Command, NASA, defense contractors)
Branch: Army (but joint tenant: NASA Marshall, FBI, FBI Academy, Missile Defense Agency)
Major Units: Army Materiel Command (AMC) HQ, Aviation & Missile Command (AMCOM), Space & Missile Defense Command, PEO Aviation, 3,000+ NASA employees
Climate: Humid subtropical (hot summers 85-95°F, mild winters 35-50°F, occasional snow)
Nearest Major Cities: Birmingham, AL (100 miles south), Nashville, TN (100 miles north), Atlanta, GA (200 miles southeast)

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

BAH Rates

BAH Rates for Redstone Arsenal

Official rates from DFAS (updated annually in our database)

Select Your Rank

BAH rates are updated annually by DFAS. Actual amount depends on your rank, dependency status, and duty station. These rates are tax-free and designed to cover average housing costs in your area.

Key Insight: BAH comfortably exceeds rent in Huntsville. E5 BAH is $1,800-2,000, median 3BR rent is $1,500 = $300-500 buffer. Alabama is affordable - you can save money here. Madison (north, best schools 8-9/10, $1,600-1,900) and South Huntsville ($1,400-1,700) are top choices. On-base housing waitlist is 6-12 months but rent is great off-post.

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

Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

Top Tier: Best Value + Quality

1. Madison (North) - BEST OVERALL

Median 3BR Rent: $1,700/month
Commute: 15-20 minutes to Redstone (Research Park Blvd)
Schools: Madison City Schools (8-9/10) - BEST in area, nationally ranked
Pros: Best schools (Madison HS 9/10), family-friendly, safe, growing, new construction, restaurants/shopping
Cons: Slightly more expensive than Huntsville, traffic growing (rapid development)
Best For: Families prioritizing schools, willing to pay modest premium

2. South Huntsville (Hampton Cove/Jones Valley)

Median 3BR Rent: $1,600/month
Commute: 20 minutes to Redstone
Schools: Huntsville City Schools (7-8/10) - Solid, improving
Pros: Upscale neighborhoods, low crime, golf courses, close to Target/Whole Foods, scenic (mountains nearby)
Cons: Slightly longer commute, higher rent than North Huntsville
Best For: Families wanting upscale feel, scenic location

3. North Huntsville (Near Arsenal)

Median 3BR Rent: $1,400/month (MOST AFFORDABLE)
Commute: 10 minutes to Redstone (CLOSEST)
Schools: Huntsville City Schools (6-7/10) - Mixed, some schools excellent (Grissom HS 8/10)
Pros: Closest to Arsenal, most affordable, diverse, easy commute
Cons: Some older neighborhoods, mixed school quality (research specific schools)
Best For: Families prioritizing commute + affordability

4. Harvest/Monrovia (Northwest)

Median 3BR Rent: $1,550/month
Commute: 25 minutes to Redstone
Schools: Madison County Schools (7-8/10) - Good suburban schools
Pros: Newer subdivisions, family-friendly, affordable, growing
Cons: Longer commute, limited dining/shopping (car-dependent)
Best For: Families wanting new construction, suburban feel

On-Base Housing

Redstone Arsenal Family Housing (Managed by Corvias)

Waitlist: 6-12 months (moderate demand, many live off-post for better schools/space)
Quality: 7/10 (renovated homes, well-maintained)
Rent: Free (BAH goes to Army Housing)
Pros: No commute, on-post schools (7/10), security (gated installation, NASA adjacency), community support, pocket BAH
Cons: Waitlist, limited availability, on-post schools good but Madison City Schools better (8-9/10)
Best For: Families willing to wait, prioritizing savings over elite schools

Reality Check: Many families live off-post in Madison (best schools) or South Huntsville (upscale). On-post is solid but off-post options are EXCELLENT and affordable. Apply for on-post if you want it, but don't stress - off-post is great.

Schools

Best Public Schools (Off-Post)

Madison City Schools (8-9/10) - BEST IN AREA:

Elementary:

Rainbow Elementary (9/10) - Madison, nationally ranked, excellent STEM
Mill Creek Elementary (8/10) - Madison, strong academics
Heritage Elementary (8/10) - Madison, family-friendly

Middle:

Discovery Middle (8/10) - Madison, strong academics, well-resourced
Liberty Middle (8/10) - Madison, excellent STEM

High:

Bob Jones High School (9/10) - Madison, nationally ranked, strong AP program, excellent sports
James Clemens High School (9/10) - Madison, new facility (2016), excellent academics

Huntsville City Schools (6-8/10) - MIXED BUT IMPROVING:

Elementary:

Mountain Gap Elementary (8/10) - South Huntsville, excellent
Whitesburg Elementary (7/10) - South Huntsville, solid

Middle:

Mountain Gap Middle (7/10) - South Huntsville, good academics

High:

Grissom High School (8/10) - North Huntsville, strong academics, IB program
Huntsville High School (7/10) - Downtown, improving, diverse

On-Post Option (DoDEA)

Redstone Arsenal Schools (DoDEA, On-Post)

Rating: 7/10 (DoDEA quality, K-8 + high school)
Pros: Military-connected teachers, small class sizes, on-post (no commute), safe
Cons: Madison City Schools are BETTER (8-9/10) - many families choose off-post for schools

School Reality: Redstone has EXCELLENT school options. Madison City Schools (8-9/10) are among Alabama's BEST - Bob Jones HS and James Clemens HS are nationally ranked. Huntsville City Schools are solid (6-8/10, improving). On-post DoDEA is good (7/10) but Madison schools are superior. Schools are a Redstone strength - worth choosing Madison for.

Local Intel

Cost of Living

Overall: 10% LOWER than national average — Alabama affordability (one of cheapest states)

Housing: 20% lower — Median 3BR $1,500 (very affordable), new construction $1,600-1,900

Groceries: 5% lower — Publix, Kroger, Walmart, Target

Utilities: Equal to national average — Electric $120-160 (A/C in summer), gas $60-90

Gas: Equal to national average — Alabama pricing, moderate commutes (15-25 min)

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

Rent (3BR, Madison): $1,700
Utilities (electric, gas, water): $180
Groceries: $850 (Publix, Kroger, commissary on-post)
Childcare: $900/month (if both spouses work, Alabama rates)
Gas: $180 (moderate commutes, occasional trips to Nashville/Birmingham)
Internet: $70 (Spectrum/AT&T Fiber)
TOTAL: $3,880/month

But BAH covers $1,700 rent + $100-300 buffer = net $2,080-2,180 out-of-pocket. Very affordable.

BAH Coverage

Very Comfortable: BAH ($1,800-2,000 for E5) covers $1,500-1,700 rent with $100-500 buffer

Savings Potential: HIGH - Alabama is cheap, BAH exceeds rent, save $400-700/month easily

Alabama Tax Benefit: Low state income tax (2-5%), no local income tax, low property taxes

Traffic & Commute

Average Commute: 15-25 minutes (Research Park Blvd, I-565, US-72 - light traffic)
Best Routes: Research Park Blvd (Madison), I-565 (east-west), avoid Memorial Parkway rush hour
Rush Hour: 0700-0830, 1630-1730 (light by metro standards, manageable)
No Metro: Huntsville is car-dependent, but traffic is minimal

Pro Tip: Madison/North Huntsville are 10-20 min from Redstone. South Huntsville is 20-25 min. Traffic is light - Huntsville is NOT congested. Easy commutes.

Commissary & Shopping

Redstone Commissary (7/10) - Standard selection, saves 10-15% over civilian grocery
Redstone PX (7/10) - Full-service, good selection
Bridge Street Town Centre (Madison) - Upscale outdoor mall, Whole Foods, restaurants, Target
MidCity District (Huntsville) - Shopping, dining, Costco, Sam's Club
Parkway Place Mall (South Huntsville) - Traditional mall, department stores

Reality: On-post commissary + PX handle basics. Off-post has Publix, Kroger, Target, Whole Foods, Costco. Huntsville shopping is excellent for a mid-size city.

Healthcare

Redstone Army Health Clinic (On-post) - Primary care, pharmacy, specialty referrals (NO ER on-post)
Tricare Options: Prime (free, on-base), Select (off-base network - good in Huntsville)
Civilian: Huntsville Hospital (Level II Trauma, 15 min from post), Crestwood Medical Center (15 min)

Pro Tip: Redstone Clinic handles routine care. NO ER on-post - emergencies go to Huntsville Hospital (excellent, Level II Trauma). Healthcare is solid in Huntsville.

Weather Reality

Summer: 85-95°F (June-August), humid, thunderstorms
Winter: 35-50°F (December-February), mild (2-5 inches snow/year), occasional ice storms
Spring/Fall: Beautiful (65-80°F), tornado season (March-May)
Challenges: Summer humidity, tornado warnings (have a plan), occasional ice storms

Survival Tips:

A/C essential (humid summers)
Tornado preparedness (basement/interior room, weather radio)
Ice storms rare but disruptive (stock emergency supplies)
Enjoy mild winters (no heavy snow, outdoor activities year-round)

What's It Like to Live at Redstone Arsenal?

Redstone Arsenal is the "Rocket City" assignment. Huntsville is Alabama's tech hub - NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is ON-POST, along with Army Materiel Command HQ and 100+ defense contractors (Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop, Raytheon, Dynetics). The population is 38,000 military + civilian + contractors, making it one of the most educated cities in the South (highest per capita PhDs).

Mission Reality: Redstone is NOT combat arms - it's missiles, aviation, space, and logistics. Army Materiel Command manages Army equipment worldwide. Aviation & Missile Command develops Apache helicopters, Patriot missiles, and missile defense systems. NO combat deployments - you're supporting acquisition, logistics, and R&D. OPTEMPO is LOW - predictable 0730-1630 schedules. If you want combat arms, this isn't it. If you want tech/acquisition career, it's excellent.

"Rocket City" Culture: Huntsville is DIFFERENT from typical Southern cities. NASA's presence since the 1960s created a tech-educated, diverse, international community. You'll meet German rocket scientists' descendants, international defense contractors, and PhDs everywhere. The city is growing FAST (pop. 220,000+, 5th largest in Alabama, soon to be 2nd). It's NOT sleepy Alabama - it's a booming tech hub with U.S. Space Command arriving (2026+).

Quality of Life: Excellent. Redstone has good facilities (commissary, PX, gym, outdoor rec). Madison City Schools (8-9/10) are among Alabama's best. Huntsville offers Southern charm + tech culture - craft breweries, downtown revitalization, Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball (minor league), Monte Sano State Park hiking, free Space & Rocket Center admission (on-post ID). Cost of living is LOW - BAH exceeds rent, you can save $400-700/month. Traffic is minimal. Pace is relaxed but intellectually stimulating (NASA culture).

Pros: No combat deployments, predictable schedules, LOW cost of living (save $400-700/month), excellent schools (Madison 8-9/10), high spouse employment (NASA contractors, Boeing, Lockheed, $60-100K+), BAH buffer, growing tech city, Southern hospitality, mild winters, craft beer scene, Space & Rocket Center, outdoor recreation (Monte Sano, Tennessee River, lakes), low traffic, family-friendly.

Cons: Not traditional Army (limited combat arms progression), hot humid summers, tornado season (March-May), limited nightlife (compared to major metros), car-dependent, no public transit, some older infrastructure, conservative culture (Bible Belt), limited ethnic food diversity (improving).

Family Reality: Redstone is EXCELLENT for families. Schools are top-tier (Madison 8-9/10), housing is affordable (save money), spouse employment is abundant (NASA contractors, defense firms, $60-100K+), and Huntsville is safe/family-friendly. Outdoor recreation is excellent (Monte Sano hiking, Tennessee River, lakes, parks). Most families LOVE Redstone - quality of life + affordability + schools make it a hidden gem.

Cost of Living Breakdown

Overall: 10% LOWER vs. national average — Alabama affordability.

Housing: 20% lower — Median 3BR $1,500 (Madison $1,700, North Huntsville $1,400).

Groceries: 5% lower — Publix, Kroger, Walmart, Target, commissary on-post (10-15% savings).

Utilities: Equal to national average — Electric $120-160 (A/C in summer), gas $60-90, water $40-60.

Transportation: Equal to national average — Gas prices, moderate commutes (15-25 min).

Childcare: 20% lower — $800-1,000/month (Alabama rates, much cheaper than CONUS average).

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids (Off-Post, Madison):

Rent (3BR, Madison): $1,700
Utilities (electric, gas, water): $180
Groceries: $850 (mix commissary + Publix/Kroger)
Childcare: $900/month (if both spouses work)
Gas: $180 (moderate commutes, Nashville/Birmingham trips)
Internet/Phone: $90 (Spectrum/AT&T Fiber)
Car Maintenance: $80
TOTAL: $3,980/month

But BAH covers $1,700 rent + $100-300 buffer, so net out-of-pocket: $2,180-2,280/month. VERY AFFORDABLE.

Redstone Arsenal Financial Reality:

BAH (E-5 with deps): $1,800-2,000
Rent: $1,500-1,700 (leaves $100-500 buffer)
Other Expenses: $2,100-2,500/month
Alabama State Income Tax: 2-5% (LOW)
On-Post Savings: Live on-post = pocket BAH - $1,800 expenses = save $400-600/month

Net Result: HIGH savings potential. Most families save $400-700/month at Redstone. Alabama is CHEAP - low cost of living + BAH buffer = financial winner.

Savings Tips:

Use commissary (10-15% savings over Publix)
Live Madison (best schools, worth $200/month premium)
Use Costco/Sam's Club for bulk savings
Take advantage of free Space & Rocket Center (on-post ID = free admission)
Enjoy free outdoor recreation (Monte Sano, lakes, parks)

Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality: Redstone/Huntsville is a TECH HUB - THE BEST spouse employment for aerospace/defense/STEM professionals. NASA contractors (Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop, Raytheon, Dynetics), federal agencies (NASA, FBI, Missile Defense Agency), tech startups. Security clearance = $60-100K+ salaries. Unemployment rate: 2-3% (one of lowest in Alabama).

Top Employers for Military Spouses:

NASA Contractors - Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Dynetics ($60-120K, TS/SCI premium)
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center - Scientists, engineers, admin ($50-110K)
Army Materiel Command / AMCOM - Logistics, acquisition, admin ($45-85K)
Huntsville Hospital System - Nurses, medical admin, healthcare ($45-80K)
Madison City / Huntsville City Schools - Teachers, paraprofessionals, admin ($40-65K)
Tech Startups - Growing Huntsville tech scene, software, engineering ($50-90K)
Remote Work - Tech, project management, admin (BEST FLEXIBILITY, $50-90K)

Security Clearance: Advantage at Redstone. Secret/TS/SCI = $10-30K salary premium for NASA contractor jobs.

Salary Range: $40-70K for non-STEM, $60-120K+ for aerospace/defense/STEM roles with clearance.

Military Spouse Preference: Applies to Redstone NAF jobs and federal positions.

Childcare Reality: Alabama childcare is $800-1,000/month (CHEAP compared to CONUS average). Redstone CDC has limited slots but off-post options are abundant and affordable. Dual-income is viable.

Family Support:

Army Community Service (ACS) - Excellent (Rocket City adaptation programming, spouse employment assistance)
MWR Programs - Robust (outdoor rec, Space & Rocket Center trips, Nashville/Birmingham cultural events, youth sports)
Spouses' Club - Active (monthly meetings, support groups, networking for NASA contractor jobs)

Redstone Arsenal Family Life: EXCELLENT. Schools are top-tier (Madison 8-9/10), spouse employment is abundant (NASA contractors, $60-120K+ for STEM/cleared), cost of living is LOW (save $400-700/month), and Huntsville is safe/family-friendly. Outdoor recreation is excellent (Monte Sano hiking, Tennessee River, lakes). "Rocket City" culture is unique - intellectually stimulating, diverse, growing tech hub. Most families rate Redstone as a HIDDEN GEM.

Pro Tip: Spouses should target NASA contractors (Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop) for STEM/cleared roles ($60-120K+). Remote work is also excellent (avoid commute). Huntsville is underrated for spouse careers - booming tech hub.

Common Questions About Redstone Arsenal

Q: Is Redstone Arsenal a good duty station?

A: YES - Redstone is a HIDDEN GEM. No combat deployments, predictable schedules, LOW cost of living (save $400-700/month), excellent schools (Madison 8-9/10), abundant spouse employment (NASA contractors, $60-120K+ for STEM), high BAH buffer, growing "Rocket City" tech culture, mild weather, family-friendly. Only cons: not traditional Army (limited combat arms), hot humid summers, tornado season. If you want quality of life + affordability + schools, Redstone is TOP-TIER.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base at Redstone Arsenal?

A: Off-base in Madison (best schools 8-9/10, $1,700/month, 15-min commute). Madison City Schools are Alabama's best - Bob Jones HS and James Clemens HS are nationally ranked. On-post is solid (7/10 DoDEA, pocket BAH) but Madison schools are superior. North Huntsville ($1,400, 10-min commute) works for affordability. South Huntsville ($1,600, upscale) for scenic living. On-post if you want savings, Madison if you want elite schools.

Q: What's "Rocket City" culture like?

A: Huntsville is NOT typical Southern. NASA's presence since 1960s created a tech-educated, diverse, international community. Highest per capita PhDs in the South. Growing FAST (pop. 220,000+, U.S. Space Command arriving 2026+). Craft breweries, downtown revitalization, tech startups, German rocket scientist heritage. It's Southern hospitality + tech culture + intellectual vibe. Unique city.

Q: Are schools good at Redstone Arsenal?

A: EXCELLENT. Madison City Schools (8-9/10) are among Alabama's BEST - Bob Jones HS (9/10) and James Clemens HS (9/10) are nationally ranked. Huntsville City Schools are solid (6-8/10, Grissom HS 8/10). On-post DoDEA is good (7/10). Schools are a Redstone STRENGTH - worth choosing Madison for elite education.

Q: Is Redstone Arsenal affordable?

A: YES - one of the MOST affordable CONUS bases. Alabama cost of living is 10% BELOW national average. Median 3BR is $1,500, BAH is $1,800-2,000 = $300-500 buffer. Most families save $400-700/month. Childcare is $800-1,000 (cheap). Groceries, utilities, gas all affordable. Redstone is a FINANCIAL WINNER.

Q: What's spouse employment like?

A: EXCELLENT for STEM/aerospace/defense. Huntsville is a tech hub - NASA contractors (Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop, Raytheon, Dynetics), federal agencies (NASA, FBI, MDA), tech startups. Security clearance = $60-120K+ salaries. Teachers ($40-65K), healthcare (Huntsville Hospital, $45-80K), remote work ($50-90K) also abundant. Unemployment rate 2-3%. Redstone is TOP-TIER for spouse careers.

Q: What's the deployment tempo like?

A: LOW to NONE. Redstone is missile/aviation/logistics support - Army Materiel Command, AMCOM, Space & Missile Defense Command. NO combat deployments. Predictable 0730-1630 schedules. Occasional TDY for training/acquisition. If you want deployment-free acquisition/logistics career, Redstone is ideal. If you want combat arms, this isn't it.

Q: Is Huntsville growing?

A: YES - FAST. Pop. 220,000+ (5th largest in Alabama, soon to be 2nd). U.S. Space Command relocating to Redstone (2026+). FBI headquarters expansion. 100+ defense contractors. Booming tech scene. Downtown revitalization (craft breweries, restaurants, entertainment). Huntsville is one of the FASTEST-GROWING cities in the South.

Next Steps

Planning Your PCS?

Calculate Your Entitlements - 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 →

Explore Redstone Arsenal Data - Base Navigator → (Premium) - Live housing prices, school ratings, and interactive maps
Get Your Questions Answered - Ask Military Expert → (Premium) - RAG-powered AI with 6,539 embeddings of official military regulations and real community insights
Audit Your LES - LES Auditor → (Premium) - Verify your BAH matches official 2025 Huntsville rates

Essential Reading

Army Acquisition Career Guide - AMC, AMCOM, PEO pathways
Huntsville Rocket City Guide - NASA culture and local intel

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
Redstone Arsenal Official Site - Installation information and resources
Madison City Schools - School information and ratings
U.S. Space & Rocket Center - Huntsville's NASA museum (free with on-post ID)

Last verified: January 24, 2025. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.

Redstone Arsenal PCS Guide - Huntsville Tech Hub & Missiles