Scott Air Force Base

Off-Base Neighborhoods

There are several small towns nearby that make for a quick and easy commute to Scott AFB. They include Mascoutah, O'Fallon, Lebanon, and Belleville. The housing market has grown in the last decade, bringing more options for newcomers within a 30-minute drive of base. St. Louis is also an option but will add some time to the commute, depending on where in the city you live.

On Base Housing

The housing on Scott AFB is managed by Hunt and has six neighborhoods with a total of 1,595 homes. There are historic homes, duplexes, and single-family homes available, based on family size and rank. This is one installation where historic homes are open to enlisted families, as well as officer families. The community has playgrounds and a community center with rooms to rent for functions.

Schools

There are no schools located on Scott AFB. Students living on base will attend Scott Elementary School, Mascoutah Middle School, and Mascoutah High School, all three schools are well regarded academically. Nearby Belleville also has a school district with a high school boasting a higher graduation rate than the state average.

Close to the base in Belleville proper is a community college, Southwestern Illinois College, which is a great resource for additional education with reasonable rates.

Cost of Living and BAH

Scott AFB BAH is moderate, which coincides nicely with the lower cost of living. The area immediately surrounding Scott AFB is also a lower cost of living than the state on average.

Scott AFB BAH varies depending on rank and whether or not you have dependents. To determine your BAH at Scott AFB, use our BAH calculator.

Housing Costs

Renters make up most of the population in the area around Scott AFB at over 85%. Rentals are hard to come by, and the prices may be over the BAH rates. The median sales price of a home is $120,700. Families may be more apt to buy in the Scott AFB area than other, higher-cost areas. Homes in the area have appreciated about 20% in the past 10 years.

Weather

The Scott AFB area has a typical Midwest climate, which means you'll be able to experience four, diverse and beautiful seasons. The spring and fall seasons are long and are what locals look forward to the most. Summer can be hot (some say oppressive) with high humidity, and winters can be cold, sometimes with snow. Summer may be hot and sweaty, but there are lakes and rivers nearby for fun outdoor activities and lots of beautiful hiking in the area.

Newcomers to the area may be concerned about storms, particularly tornados. The peak season for tornadoes runs from April to June. Most of the time, the storms come in the afternoon and evening. Illinois averages about 50 tornadoes a year, which may seem like a lot, but Texas has the most each year at about 150.

Base Amenities

The Scott AFB community on base has a great reputation. There are a lot of activities for families, kids, and single service members. The food options are also good, as there are a good variety of food trucks around base. If you're looking for a great burger, try one at the Cardinal Creek Golf Course.

Warmer Fitness Center and James Sports Center are options for intramural sports and fitness classes, and there's a bowling alley as well.

The commissary and main exchange are open daily, and there is a food court with favorites like Starbucks, Smoothie King, and Panda Express.

Area Attractions

Close by to Scott AFB are some great options for rain days, including a SkyZone Trampoline Park, Urban Air Adventure Park, a few movie theaters, and shopping options. There are two recreational centers: one in Fairview Heights and one near O'Fallon.

St. Louis is about a 30-minute drive and has plenty to do. The St. Louis Zoo has over 12,000 animals and is one of the few free zoos in the country. There's also an aquarium at Union Station, and The Wheel is there as well. St. Louis has a lot of free activities for families, plus annual festivals and events.

Within a four to five-hour drive are several big-city options for a long weekend, including Chicago, Nashville, and Kansas City.

Food and Drink

You can't live in the St. Louis area without learning about the St. Louis BBQ! Ribs in St. Louis are different, because in the 1930s through the 1960s, local meatpackers started making a more rectangular cut of pork spare ribs that included more meat. They called them St. Louis-style ribs. If you're looking for some of the best, big-name BBQ in St. Louis, try Pappy's Smokehouse, Salt + Smoke, or Sugarfire Smoke House.