Scott AFB Illinois PCS Guide: Housing, Schools & St. Louis Metro
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)
Scott AFB hosts 13,000+ personnel as Air Mobility Command (AMC) headquarters in the St. Louis metro area (Illinois side). It offers Midwest affordability, St. Louis city amenities, low cost of living (10% below national avg), and family-friendly suburbs—but humid summers (90-100°F), tornado risk (Midwest), and flat/landlocked terrain (no mountains/ocean).
Key Numbers:
- BAH vs. Rent: Comfortable (BAH $1,500-1,800 covers $1,200-1,600 rent)
- Median 3BR Rent: $1,400/month (Midwest affordable)
- School Quality: EXCELLENT (O'Fallon/Shiloh schools 8-9/10)
- Deployment Tempo: MODERATE-HIGH (AMC = airlift, deployments common)
What This Guide Covers: St. Louis metro living, Midwest affordability, AMC headquarters culture.
Quick Facts
Installation Overview:
- Official Name: Scott Air Force Base
- Location: Belleville, Illinois (14 miles east of St. Louis, MO)
- Size: 3,700 acres
- Population: 13,000+ (5,000 active duty + 8,000 family/civilians)
- Branch: Air Force (AMC headquarters)
- Major Units: HQ Air Mobility Command, 375th Air Mobility Wing, 932nd Airlift Wing (Reserve)
- Mission: Airlift, air refueling, global mobility
- Climate: Humid continental (hot/humid 90-100°F summers, cold 20-40°F winters, tornado risk)
- Nearest City: St. Louis, MO (14 miles west)
Need granular neighborhood intel? Use Base Navigator → (Premium) for live rent comps, school performance, and commute scoring.
Want official data? Check DFAS BAH Calculator for current BAH rates.
Housing & BAH
BAH Rates for Belleville
Official rates from DFAS (updated annually in our database)
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.
Reality Check: BAH COMFORTABLE—$1,500-1,800 covers $1,200-1,600 rent with $200-400 buffer.
Housing Neighborhoods
Top Tier Off-Base (Ranked)
1. O'Fallon, IL (5 miles north)
- Commute: 10 min via IL-158 or I-64
- Median 3BR Rent: $1,450-1,750/month
- Schools: O'Fallon District 90 & O'Fallon Township High (8-9/10)
- Why Families Choose It: Best schools, new subdivisions, parks, strong youth sports.
- Watch Outs: Property taxes higher; homes move fast (PCS season competition).
2. Shiloh, IL (3 miles west)
- Commute: 5-7 min
- Median 3BR Rent: $1,300-1,600/month
- Schools: Shiloh Elementary (feeds into O'Fallon HS)
- Why Families Choose It: Closest suburbs, quiet cul-de-sacs, family-friendly events.
- Watch Outs: Limited rentals—connect with military-friendly realtors early.
3. Mascoutah, IL (9 miles southeast)
- Commute: 12-15 min via IL-177
- Median 3BR Rent: $1,200-1,500/month
- Schools: Mascoutah District 19 (7-8/10) serves on-base housing as well.
- Why Families Choose It: Small-town feel, new construction, lower rent, great for dual-military families using on-base schools.
- Watch Outs: Limited shopping; plan trips to O'Fallon/Fairview Heights.
4. Belleville, IL (6 miles west)
- Commute: 10-15 min via IL-15
- Median 3BR Rent: $1,200-1,500/month
- Why Families Choose It: Most affordable, historic homes, revitalized Main Street with cafés.
- Watch Outs: Older housing stock—budget for utilities + potential renovations.
5. Fairview Heights, IL (7 miles north)
- Commute: 10-12 min via I-64
- Median 3BR Rent: $1,350-1,650/month
- Why Families Choose It: Retail hub (Target, Dillard's, restaurants), quick interstate access, close to hospitals.
- Watch Outs: Traffic near mall; verify school zoning (Wolf Branch vs. Belleville).
6. Swansea, IL (6 miles northwest)
- Commute: 12 min
- Median 3BR Rent: $1,300-1,600/month
- Why Families Choose It: Quiet neighborhoods, access to MetroLink commuter rail, close to YMCA/parks.
- Watch Outs: Limited rentals; more owner-occupied homes.
On-Base Housing
Scott AFB On-Base Housing:
- Units: 1,800+ (2BR-4BR)
- Wait Times: 6-18 months
- Neighborhoods: Patriots Landing, Shiloh West, Cardinal Creek (townhomes + duplexes)
- Reality: On-base popular (AMC HQ = high demand), expect 6-18 month wait. Mascoutah School District serves base housing (highly rated).
Schools
Schools & Childcare
O'Fallon District 90 (K-8) + O'Fallon Township High School (9-12)
- Blue Ribbon schools, 1:1 devices, AP courses, strong athletics.
- Middle schools (Carriel/Fulton) offer STEM labs and gifted programs.
Mascoutah District 19 (K-12)
- Serves on-base housing + Mascoutah city. 8/10 ratings, brand-new high school (built 2011), robust AFJROTC.
- Scott Elementary (on base) feeds into Mascoutah Middle/High—popular with base families.
Private / Parochial Options
- Althoff Catholic HS (Belleville), Faith Lutheran School (O'Fallon), Calvary Academy (Springfield).
- Tuition $4K-10K/year; limited bus service.
Childcare
- CDC & Youth Programs (on base): Full-day, part-day, hourly care; waitlist 3-6 months—submit DD 2606 early.
- Family Child Care (FCC): Licensed providers in base housing neighborhoods.
- Off-Base Daycares: The Goddard School (O'Fallon), La Petite Academy (Belleville), KinderCare (Fairview Heights).
Homeschool / Virtual
- Illinois Virtual School and Scott AFB Homeschool Network provide co-ops, classes, field trips.
- O'Fallon Library offers homeschool resource rooms, maker space.
Enrollment Tips
- Bring orders, immunization records (Illinois requires meningitis for 6th/12th grade), proof of residency (lease or utility bill).
- Registration windows open May-July; schedule counselor meeting for high schoolers transferring AP/IB credits.
- Check bus route eligibility—some neighborhoods may require parent drop-off.
Local Intel
Cost of Living
Overall: 10% LOWER vs. US (Midwest affordable)
Housing: BAH covers with buffer ($200-400 left over)
Groceries: 10% cheaper (Midwest pricing)
Gas: $3-3.50/gallon (avg)
Monthly Budget (E5 + 2 Kids): $4,000-4,500
State Taxes: Illinois state tax 4.95%, Missouri 4.5% (if you live MO side)
Spouse Employment & Higher Ed
- Top Employers: Scott AFB (GS/NAF), St. Elizabeth's Hospital (O'Fallon), Memorial Hospital (Belleville), Boeing, Emerson, World Wide Technology (St. Louis tech corridor), Mascoutah/O'Fallon school districts.
- Remote Work: Reliable fiber (Spectrum/AT&T) supports telework. Time zone (Central) aligns with East Coast/West Coast schedules.
- Licensing: Illinois offers temporary military spouse licenses (teaching, nursing, counseling) via expedited process (45-60 days). Base legal provides guidance.
- Education: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) offer degree completion + tuition assistance. St. Louis University and Washington University 45-60 min away.
- Networking: Scott AFB Spouses' Club, St. Louis Military Spouse Professional Network, Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois.
Healthcare & Dental
- 375th Medical Group (Scott Clinic): Primary care, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health. No inpatient services.
- Barnes-Jewish Hospital / St. Louis Children's Hospital: Level I trauma & specialty care (40 min west).
- HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital (O'Fallon) & Memorial Hospital (Belleville): Labor & delivery, ER, imaging (10-15 min).
- Mental Health: Embedded military family life counselors, Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute, telehealth via TRICARE.
- Dental: Base dental for active duty; families use off-base (Performance Dental O'Fallon, Signature Smile).
Transportation & Commute
- Vehicles: One vehicle works if living near base, but two recommended for families due to spread-out suburbs.
- Traffic: I-64 congestion around Fairview Heights during rush hour (0730-0830, 1600-1730). Use back roads (Green Mount Rd, Seibert Rd).
- Public Transit: MetroLink light rail to downtown St. Louis (Shiloh-Scott Station). Many dual-military ride bikes from on-base housing.
- Air Travel: Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (45 min). Mid-America St. Louis Airport adjacent to base (Allegiant flights).
- Weather Prep: Winter ice storms (Dec-Feb). Keep emergency kits, soft water heater blankets, and plan for occasional snow days.
Utilities & Services
- Electric/Gas: Ameren Illinois (budget billing helpful). Expect $180-220/month winter, $130-160 summer.
- Water/Trash: City-run (O'Fallon ~$60/month). Recycling curbside in most suburbs.
- Internet: Spectrum, AT&T Fiber (multi-gig in O'Fallon/Shiloh), T-Mobile 5G Home Internet.
- Storm Prep: Tornado season (Apr-Jun). Keep NOAA weather radio, identify shelter space, review siren procedures.
Commissary, Markets & Shopping
- Scott Commissary: Good for staples; restocked Mon/Wed/Fri.
- Off-Base Grocers: Schnucks, Dierbergs, Aldi, Fresh Thyme (O'Fallon). Costco in Edwardsville (35 min) & St. Peters, MO (45 min).
- Shopping: St. Clair Square Mall (Fairview Heights), Edwardsville boutiques, St. Louis Premium Outlets (Chesterfield).
- Dining Scene: St. Louis BBQ (Pappy’s, Sugarfire), Belleville Main Street cafés, O'Fallon breweries (Global Brew), St. Louis Hill Italian restaurants.
Recreation & Family Fun
- Local: SAFB Air Mobility Park, Eckert’s Family Farms (picking fruit), Far Oaks & Stonewolf golf courses, MCT bike trails.
- St. Louis: Gateway Arch, Forest Park (zoo, science center, art museum—free), City Museum, Cardinals baseball, Blues hockey, MLS St. Louis CITY SC.
- Weekend Trips: Chicago (4.5 hrs), Nashville (5 hrs), Smoky Mountains (8 hrs), Branson (4 hrs).
- MWR: Outdoor recreation equipment rentals, RV storage, discounted St. Louis attraction tickets, ITT riverboat cruises.
St. Louis Metro Reality
Why Scott = Good Assignment:
- St. Louis city 14 miles: Gateway Arch, MLB Cardinals, NHL Blues, museums, BBQ
- Affordability: 10% below US average (rent $1,200-1,600)
- Midwest culture: Friendly, family-oriented, slower pace
- Seasons: All 4 seasons (hot summer, cold winter, beautiful spring/fall)
Weather:
- Summer: Hot/humid (90-100°F, July-Aug)
- Winter: Cold (20-40°F, Jan-Feb), snow 10-15 inches/year
- Tornado season: April-June (Midwest = tornado alley)
Pro Tip: St. Louis has EVERYTHING—pro sports (Cardinals, Blues), world-class zoo (FREE), City Museum, Forest Park (1,300 acres, FREE), BBQ culture.
Mission Tempo
AMC HQ = MODERATE-HIGH:
- Air Mobility Command headquarters = global airlift operations
- Reality: MODERATE-HIGH tempo (deployments common for aircrew, HQ = desk jobs but ops tempo high)
What's It Like at Scott AFB?
Pros:
- ✅ Affordable (10% below US, BAH covers + buffer)
- ✅ Excellent schools (O'Fallon 8-9/10)
- ✅ St. Louis amenities (pro sports, zoo, museums, BBQ)
- ✅ AMC HQ prestige (career boost for AF)
- ✅ Midwest friendly (slow pace, family-oriented)
Cons:
- ❌ Humid summers (90-100°F, July-Aug)
- ❌ Tornado risk (April-June)
- ❌ Flat/landlocked (no mountains, no ocean)
- ❌ Illinois taxes (4.95% state)
- ❌ On-base wait (6-18 months)
Honest Assessment: Scott is best for Midwest-friendly families who value affordability + stability—excellent schools, St. Louis city amenities, low cost living—but humid summers, tornado risk, flat terrain. Best for: Families prioritizing schools, affordability, and Midwest living. Worst for: Those needing mountains/ocean, low humidity, or adventure.
Common Questions
Q: Is Scott AFB a good assignment?
A: YES for families—affordable, excellent schools (O'Fallon 8-9/10), St. Louis amenities, AMC prestige.
Q: Can we save money?
A: YES—10% below US, BAH leaves buffer ($200-400/month). Save $3,000-5,000/year.
Q: How bad are summers?
A: Humid—90-100°F + humidity (July-Aug). AC MANDATORY.
Q: Where should we live?
A: O'Fallon for schools (8-9/10), Shiloh for proximity (5 min), Belleville for affordability ($1,200-1,500).
Q: Do tornadoes hit Scott?
A: Low risk but possible—April-June = tornado season. Base has sirens + bunkers.
Q: Where do we get medical care?
A: Scott Clinic for routine, St. Elizabeth’s/Memorial for urgent care, Barnes-Jewish in St. Louis for specialty/trauma. Keep TRICARE Prime Remote contacts handy.
Q: How long is the commute to downtown St. Louis?
A: 35-45 min by car, 55 min via MetroLink from Shiloh-Scott station. Great for Cardinals/Blues games or dining.
Q: Are there jobs for spouses?
A: Yes—healthcare, education, tech, logistics, and remote work all hiring. O'Fallon and St. Louis tech corridor (Boeing, WWT) seek cleared talent.
Q: How is childcare availability?
A: CDC waitlist 3-6 months. Utilize FCC homes, local daycares, and YMCA programs. Register before arrival.
Q: What about pets?
A: Base housing allows pets (breed restrictions). Plenty of vets, dog parks, and pet-friendly rentals in O'Fallon/Shiloh.
Q: What can we do on weekends?
A: Explore St. Louis (Forest Park, Arch, zoo), wineries in Augusta, hiking in Pere Marquette State Park, or day trips to Nashville/Chicago.
Next Steps
1. Check BAH & COLA (if TDY overseas)
DFAS BAH Calculator →
2. Lock Housing Strategy
Apply for on-base housing + connect with O'Fallon/Shiloh/Mascoutah realtors (see spouse pages). Verify school boundaries before leasing.
3. Register Schools & Childcare
O'Fallon CUSD 203 → | Mascoutah CUSD 19 → | Submit DD 2606 for CDC/FCC waitlists.
4. Build PCS Budget & Tornado Kit
Use PCS Copilot → to model expenses. Assemble NOAA weather radio, go-bags, and shelter plan.
5. Transfer Medical/Dental Records
Enroll with 375th Medical Group, identify preferred hospitals, and update EFMP (if applicable).
6. Map Commute Options
Test drive I-64, Green Mount Road, and MetroLink routes during rush hour.
7. Explore St. Louis
Plan first-month excursions (Gateway Arch, Forest Park, City Museum) to anchor family morale.
8. Ask Questions
Use Ask Military Expert → for Scott-specific questions, school comparisons, or commute planning.
9. Analyze ZIP-by-ZIP intel
Run Base Navigator → for rent comps, school ratings, and commute scoring.
Official Resources
- DFAS BAH Calculator - BAH rates
- Scott AFB Official Site - Base information
- MilitaryOneSource - 24/7 support
Last verified: January 24, 2025. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.