--- title: 'PCS to Scott AFB: A 2026 Guide for Military Families in Metro East Illinois' slug: pcs-to-scott-afb-2026-guide description: >- Planning a PCS to Scott AFB in 2026? Get a plain-language guide to housing, BAH, schools, healthcare, and where to live near Belleville and O'Fallon, Illinois. publishedAt: '2026-03-21T09:00:00.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-06-22T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - PCS Help - US Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/pcs-to-scott-afb-2026-guide' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: illinois --- # PCS to Scott AFB: A 2026 Guide for Military Families in Metro East Illinois If you have orders for a PCS to Scott Air Force Base, welcome to Metro East Illinois and the greater St. Louis area. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for moving from one duty station to another. Scott AFB sits in St. Clair County, Illinois, about 20 miles east of downtown St. Louis. This 2026 guide walks you through what the base does, where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, and what to do once you settle in. ## What and Where Is Scott AFB? Scott Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation in St. Clair County, Illinois. According to the [Scott AFB About Us page](https://www.scott.af.mil/About-Us/), the installation covers approximately 3,639 acres and has been an active military airfield since World War I. It sits near Belleville, O'Fallon, and Shiloh, just across the Mississippi River from the St. Louis metro. The host wing is the [375th Air Mobility Wing](https://www.scott.af.mil/Units/) (375th AMW), which enables Team Scott's missions through infrastructure, communications, and base support. What sets Scott apart from many installations is the concentration of major headquarters. [U.S. Transportation Command](https://www.ustranscom.mil/) (USTRANSCOM) — the unified combatant command responsible for projecting military power by air, land, and sea and for managing the household goods relocation program — is headquartered here. So is Air Mobility Command (AMC), which directs the global airlift of troops and cargo for the Joint Force. That means the command overseeing your own PCS move is headquartered at your next duty station. ## Where to Live When PCSing to Scott AFB Most families moving to Scott AFB settle in one of the surrounding Metro East communities or on post. Your choice comes down to commute time, school preferences, and budget. ![Approximate drive times from Metro East Illinois communities to Scott AFB, including Shiloh, O'Fallon, Mascoutah, Belleville, Swansea, Fairview Heights, and Lebanon.](/images/blog/pcs-to-scott-afb-2026-guide/where-to-live.png) *Approximate one-way drive times to Scott AFB. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.* ### Shiloh Shiloh is the closest off-post community, roughly 10 minutes from the main gate. It is a small, tight-knit village with short commutes and a practical feel. ### O'Fallon O'Fallon is one of the most popular choices for Scott AFB families, about 12 minutes from the gate. It offers a full range of housing, shopping, and restaurants, and its school system is highly regarded. ### Mascoutah Mascoutah is about 12 minutes from the installation and is notable for its direct connection to the base. Mascoutah Community Unit School District 19 (CUSD 19) operates Scott Elementary School, which sits adjacent to Scott AFB and serves students in military housing areas on post. ### Belleville Belleville is the St. Clair County seat, about 15 minutes from Scott. It has an established downtown, a wide range of housing styles and prices, and good access to services. ### Swansea Swansea is a suburb between Belleville and O'Fallon, also about 15 minutes out. It is quieter, with a mix of housing and easy access to both neighboring cities. ### Fairview Heights Fairview Heights is about 18 minutes from Scott and serves as a commercial hub with a wide range of retail and dining options. ### Lebanon Lebanon is a smaller town about 20 minutes east, with a college-town feel thanks to McKendree University and more land for the money. ## Scott AFB BAH and the Cost of Living If you live off post, the military helps cover your housing costs through BAH, which stands for Basic Allowance for Housing. BAH is a monthly, tax-free payment. The amount depends on three things: your rank, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's Military Housing Area, or MHA. An MHA is the geographic zone the Department of Defense uses to set local housing pay rates. Scott AFB falls within the Scott Air Force Base, Illinois MHA. Because BAH rates change each year and vary by rank and dependent status, we do not publish a rate table here. To find your exact figure, use the official DoD BAH calculator at [travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup](https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/). Enter your rank and ZIP code to see the current rate for your situation. Always confirm your rate before signing a lease or making an offer. If you are considering buying, a typical home value in O'Fallon, Illinois was about $287,782 as of mid-2026, according to [Zillow](https://www.zillow.com/home-values/85387/o-fallon-il-62269/). That is a typical value, not a median sale price. As of the week of June 18, 2026, [Freddie Mac](https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms) reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.47 percent. Whether buying or renting makes more sense for your family depends on how long you expect to be stationed here, so run the numbers for your own situation. If you are weighing whether a VA loan is the right tool for this purchase, read our guide to [what are the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan) and [how does a 0 down VA loan work](/blog/how-does-a-0-down-va-loan-work). You can also review [2026 VA loan limits explained for military homebuyers](/blog/2026-va-loan-limits-explained-for-military-homebuyers) to understand what you can borrow without a down payment. ## Schools Near Scott AFB The school your children attend depends on your address. Several districts serve the communities around Scott AFB, and they range from small-town districts to larger suburban systems. [O'Fallon Community Consolidated School District 90](https://www.of90.net/) serves O'Fallon for grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The district covers more than 3,900 students across seven schools. For high school, students in O'Fallon fall under [O'Fallon Township High School District 203](https://www.oths.us/), which serves O'Fallon, Shiloh, portions of Belleville, and other nearby communities. The district operates two high schools and offers a wide range of Advanced Placement and dual-credit courses. [Mascoutah Community Unit School District 19](https://www.msd19.org/) is the district most directly tied to Scott AFB. It operates Scott Elementary School, which is located adjacent to the installation and serves students in military housing areas on post, as well as schools in the city of Mascoutah for students living off post within district boundaries. CUSD 19 spans pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Belleville families are served by their own district, and several other smaller districts cover communities like Lebanon and Shiloh. School boundaries can shift, so confirm the assigned school for any specific address before you commit. ## Healthcare: 375th Medical Group On-post medical care at Scott AFB is provided by the [375th Medical Group](https://scott.tricare.mil/), located at Building 1530, 310 W. Losey Street on the installation. The clinic operates Monday through Friday and provides primary care and a range of health services to eligible patients. The 375th MDG is an outpatient clinic; it does not have urgent or emergency services. In a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For specialty care not available on post, your primary care manager will provide a referral. You can find appointment and referral details at the [375th Medical Group appointments page](https://scott.tricare.mil/Getting-Care/Appointments-Referrals). Your military health coverage runs through TRICARE. Set up your TRICARE plan early, update DEERS, and arrange any needed referrals before you arrive so there is no gap in care. ## Climate and Things to Do The Metro East area has a four-season Midwest climate. According to the [National Weather Service in St. Louis](https://www.weather.gov/lsx/cli_of_stl), summers are warm and humid with highs often reaching the upper 80s and low 90s. Winters are cold with snow and occasional ice, though generally milder than northern Midwest winters. Spring and fall are pleasant. If you are coming from a dry or coastal climate, the seasonal swings will be an adjustment. The payoff is proximity to the St. Louis metro. [Gateway Arch National Park](https://www.nps.gov/jeff/) in downtown St. Louis, just across the river, is a free national park featuring the 630-foot Gateway Arch, the Museum at the Gateway Arch, and the historic Old Courthouse. The Metro East area also offers Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and easy access to parks, lakes, and outdoor areas throughout southern Illinois. Professional sports, world-class museums, and a vibrant restaurant scene are all within 20 to 30 minutes of the base. ## Plan Your PCS to Scott AFB A smooth move comes down to the right information and the right team. If you are still building your picture of Illinois, start with our overview of [what military bases are in Illinois](/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-illinois). If you have a sibling assignment or are curious about the other major Illinois installation, see our guide to [PCS to Naval Station Great Lakes](/blog/pcs-to-naval-station-great-lakes-2026-guide). To build a solid move timeline, use [the ultimate PCS checklist and timeline for active-duty military personnel](/blog/the-ultimate-pcs-checklist-and-timeline-for-active-duty-military-personnel). And if you are thinking about buying with your VA benefit, our [complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan](/blog/complete-guide-to-buying-your-first-home-with-a-va-loan) covers the full process from preapproval to closing. When you are ready to get a local read on a specific neighborhood, commute time, or current listings, ask Lisa Diserens, a VeteranPCS agent in the Metro East area, for current listings and prices. If you plan to use your VA loan, a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, you can [connect with a VeteranPCS lender](https://www.veteranpcs.com/contact-lender) who knows the Illinois market. Know another family with orders to Scott AFB? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move too. For agents and lenders across the state, [connect with our VeteranPCS network in Illinois](https://www.veteranpcs.com/illinois). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What MHA or area is Scott AFB in for BAH? Scott AFB falls within the Scott Air Force Base, Illinois Military Housing Area for BAH purposes. Your rate depends on your rank and whether you have dependents. Look up your exact figure with the official [DoD BAH calculator](https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/) using your rank and ZIP code. ### What major commands are headquartered at Scott AFB? Scott AFB is home to USTRANSCOM, the unified combatant command responsible for global military mobility and the household goods relocation program, and Air Mobility Command (AMC), which directs the rapid global airlift of troops and cargo. The host wing is the 375th Air Mobility Wing. ### Where do military families live near Scott AFB? Common choices include Shiloh and O'Fallon for short commutes and solid schools; Mascoutah for its connection to the on-post school system; Belleville for established neighborhoods; and Swansea, Fairview Heights, or Lebanon for different feels. On-post housing is also available — ask your sponsor and the housing office about wait times. ### Which school district will my children attend near Scott AFB? It depends on your address. Families in O'Fallon typically fall under O'Fallon CCSD 90 for grades K–8 and O'Fallon Township High School District 203 for high school. Families in Mascoutah or in military housing on post are generally served by Mascoutah CUSD 19, which operates Scott Elementary on the installation. Other districts serve Belleville, Lebanon, and surrounding communities. Confirm the assigned school for any specific home before you commit. ### Where do I get healthcare at Scott AFB? On-post care is provided by the [375th Medical Group](https://scott.tricare.mil/) at Building 1530 on the installation. The clinic is an outpatient facility open Monday through Friday. Set up your TRICARE plan early, update DEERS, and arrange any referrals before you arrive so your care continues without a gap. ### What is the weather like near Scott AFB? The Metro East area has a four-season Midwest climate: warm, humid summers with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s; cold winters with snow and occasional ice; and mild, pleasant spring and fall seasons. The [National Weather Service in St. Louis](https://www.weather.gov/lsx/cli_of_stl) maintains detailed climate records for the region. This content is for informational purposes. Consult a professional for personal financial decisions.