--- title: Cost of Living in St. Louis for Military Families slug: cost-of-living-in-st-louis-for-military-families description: See how St. Louis stacks up on cost of living for military families in 2026. Connect with a VeteranPCS agent to find your next home near Scott AFB! publishedAt: 2026-03-26T22:59:00.000Z updatedAt: 2026-03-26T22:59:00.000Z author: Sherri McNeely categories: [PCS Help, Real Estate Insights] canonical: https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/cost-of-living-in-st-louis-for-military-families --- # Cost of Living in St. Louis for Military Families If you just received PCS orders to Scott Air Force Base or you are transitioning out of the military and looking for an affordable place to put down roots, St. Louis deserves a serious look. While housing costs across much of the country have climbed sharply since 2020, the St. Louis metro area remains one of the most budget-friendly major metros in the United States. Here is how St. Louis compares to other cities on the costs that matter most to military families, and why your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) goes further here than at most duty stations. ### Housing Costs: Where St. Louis Stands Out Housing is usually the biggest line item in any family budget, and this is where St. Louis gives military buyers a clear advantage. According to [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/county/1695/MO/St-Louis-County/housing-market), the median home sale price in St. Louis County was roughly $250,000 as of early 2026. Compare that to the national median of about $405,000 reported by the [U.S. Census Bureau and HUD](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MSPUS) for Q4 2025, and the savings become clear. Here is a snapshot of how St. Louis's median home prices stack up against other popular military and metro areas: - **St. Louis Metro:** ~$250,000 - **Chicago: **~$350,000 - **Denver:** ~$550,000 - **Austin:** ~$450,000 - **Los Angeles: **~$900,000+ For a military family relocating from a high-cost area like Denver or Southern California, purchasing a home in St. Louis could mean spending half as much or less while still enjoying a major metro lifestyle with professional sports, world-class parks, and a thriving food scene. This affordability is especially powerful for first-time buyers, families using their [VA Loan benefit](https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/va-loan-help/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan/), and service members looking to build long-term wealth through real estate. ### BAH at Scott AFB: Your Housing Dollar Goes Further Scott Air Force Base sits about 25 miles east of downtown St. Louis in the Metro-East region of southern Illinois. The base is home to U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command and employs roughly 12,000 military and civilian personnel. For 2026, BAH rates at Scott AFB increased by 5.9 percent, which was one of the higher jumps among Air Force installations this year, according to [Military.com](https://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/basic-allowance-for-housing/basic-allowance-for-housing-rates.html). An E-5 with dependents receives about $1,542 per month, while an O-3 with dependents receives about $2,208 per month. Because the Metro-East area's cost of living runs well below the national average, many families find that their BAH comfortably covers a mortgage payment with room left over for savings. That is not something you can say at most major installations. If you are PCSing to Scott AFB and want to learn more about homebuying timelines, check out the VeteranPCS guide on [preparing for a PCS move](https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/preparing-to-pcs-what-you-need-to-know). **Ready to see what your BAH can buy near Scott AFB? **[**Connect with a VeteranPCS agent**](https://www.veteranpcs.com/illinois)** who knows the Metro-East market inside and out.** ### Rent Prices: Savings for Families Not Ready to Buy Renters also benefit from St. Louis affordability. Average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the St. Louis area typically runs around $1,300, which is well below what you would pay in Chicago, Denver, Austin, or coastal cities where two-bedroom apartments can easily exceed $2,000 to $3,000 per month. For military families who prefer to rent during a shorter assignment or want to get the lay of the land before buying, this means more money in your pocket each month. If you are weighing whether to rent or buy, understanding [how a zero-down VA Loan works](https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/how-does-a-0-down-va-loan-work) can help you make an informed decision. ### Everyday Living Costs Housing is not the only area where St. Louis is affordable. Compared with many large metropolitan areas, the region generally has lower grocery costs, more affordable transportation, budget-friendly dining and entertainment, and lower parking expenses downtown and near popular attractions. Many residents find their overall cost of living runs roughly 15 to 30 percent lower than in other major U.S. cities, which can make a real difference for military families managing a budget on a service member's pay. ### What You Get for Your Money: Quality of Life in St. Louis Affordability alone is not what makes St. Louis appealing. The city also offers a quality of life that punches well above its price tag. Some highlights for military families include Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country with free attractions like the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the Missouri History Museum. The region also has major professional sports teams, a nationally recognized craft brewery and food scene, and historic neighborhoods with character and architectural charm. Military families stationed at Scott AFB can reach downtown St. Louis in about 25 to 30 minutes, giving you easy access to all of these amenities while living in a quieter, family-friendly suburban area. Popular neighborhoods near the base include O'Fallon, Shiloh, Belleville, and Mascoutah, all of which offer strong schools and newer housing options. ### Using Your VA Loan in the St. Louis Market The St. Louis market is especially well suited for military buyers using their VA home loan benefit. With median prices far below the national average, VA buyers can often purchase a larger home with zero down payment while keeping their monthly payment manageable. Here is why this market and the VA Loan are a strong combination: - **No down payment required.** The [Department of Veterans Affairs](https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/) backs VA Loans so eligible borrowers can buy with nothing down, which means more of your savings stays in your pocket. - **No private mortgage insurance.** Unlike conventional loans with less than 20 percent down, VA Loans do not require PMI, saving you hundreds of dollars per month. - **Competitive interest rates.** VA Loans frequently offer lower rates than conventional options, and those savings add up significantly over a 30-year term. - **BAH coverage.** With Scott AFB BAH rates and St. Louis home prices, many service members can cover their full mortgage payment with their housing allowance alone. Missouri also offers veteran-friendly tax policies that can further reduce the cost of homeownership. If you are new to VA Loans, start with the VeteranPCS guide on [VA Loan eligibility requirements](https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/va-loan-eligibility-requirements-how-to-know-if-you-qualify-for-the-va-loan) to make sure you are ready to go when you find the right home. For service members who already own a home and are PCSing to Scott AFB, you may be able to [use your VA Loan more than once](https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/can-you-use-the-va-loan-more-than-once) or even hold two VA Loans simultaneously, which can open the door to building a rental property portfolio. ### Why Buyers and Investors Are Paying Attention to St. Louis Several trends are driving growing interest in the St. Louis housing market heading into 2026. Remote workers are relocating from higher-cost states and stretching their paychecks. Investors are purchasing rental properties because of strong yields in an affordable market. And families are finding that they can buy larger, newer homes here for the same price as a small condo in a coastal city. Market analysts project steady, moderate home price growth of roughly two to four percent in 2026, according to [Zillow forecasts cited by Norada Real Estate](https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/st-louis-real-estate/). That kind of stability, combined with affordability, makes St. Louis an attractive option for military families looking to build equity and long-term financial security. ### Connect with a VeteranPCS Expert in the St. Louis Area Whether you are PCSing to Scott Air Force Base, transitioning out of the military, or simply looking for an affordable market where your VA Loan benefit goes the furthest, St. Louis is worth serious consideration. The combination of low housing costs, strong BAH coverage, a high quality of life, and a stable real estate market makes this metro one of the best-kept secrets for military homebuyers. **Connect with a **[**VeteranPCS real estate agent in the St. Louis area**](https://www.veteranpcs.com/contact-agent?form=agent&fn=Sherri&id=001Rg00000bpiOI&state=missouri)** who understands military life, VA Loans, and the local market. Let us help you find your next home.** **Share this guide with your military network to help other families discover what St. Louis has to offer.**