Moving to Little Rock Air Force Base
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Jacksonville, Arkansas.
Also known as: Little Rock AFB
Little Rock Air Force Base, near Jacksonville, Arkansas, is the largest C-130 training base in the world. Families PCSing here settle in Jacksonville right outside the gate or the growing suburb of Cabot, in an affordable central Arkansas market with strong schools and low home prices.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-base housing serves families with the usual waitlists. Off-base, Jacksonville wraps around the gate with the most affordable inventory, Cabot to the north is the family favorite for its top schools and newer homes, and Sherwood and North Little Rock offer more options closer to the city. Low Arkansas prices make buying with a VA loan easy.
Where military families live near Little Rock Air Force Base
Families PCSing to Little Rock Air Force Base most often settle in Jacksonville, Cabot, Sherwood / North Little Rock. The table below shows typical rents, home prices, and drive time to the gate for each.
| Area | 3-bed rent | Home prices | To gate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $950-$1,400 | $170k-$260k | 5-15 min | Right outside the gate; most affordable and shortest commute. |
| Cabot | $1,150-$1,600 | $220k-$320k | 15-25 min | Top schools and newer homes to the north; family favorite. |
| Sherwood / North Little Rock | $1,100-$1,550 | $200k-$300k | 20-30 min | More options closer to the city and amenities. |
2026 BAH near Little Rock Air Force Base
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Little Rock Air Force Base is set by the AR010 (Little Rock, AR) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,848 | $1,548 |
| E-7 | $1,959 | $1,758 |
| O-3 | $1,974 | $1,902 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Little Rock Air Force Base
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabot High School | High | Cabot School District | Cabot |
| Jacksonville High School | High | Jacksonville-North Pulaski | Jacksonville |
| Warren Dupree Elementary | Elementary | Jacksonville-North Pulaski | Jacksonville |
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Where do most families live near Little Rock AFB?
Jacksonville, right outside the gate, has the most affordable homes and the shortest commute. Cabot, to the north, is the family favorite for its top-rated schools and newer homes, about 15 to 25 minutes away. Sherwood and North Little Rock offer more options closer to the city for those wanting metro amenities.
Is central Arkansas affordable for military families?
Yes. The Little Rock area has home prices well below the national average, so buying with a VA loan is easy for most ranks and a housing allowance often covers a mortgage with room to spare. Cabot’s strong schools draw many families, while Jacksonville offers the shortest commute at the lowest prices.
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More: Air Force bases · Bases in Arkansas