Moving to Rock Island Arsenal
Housing, neighborhoods, schools, and 2026 BAH for families PCSing to Rock Island, Illinois.
Also known as: RIA
Rock Island Arsenal, on an island in the Mississippi River at the Quad Cities, is the Army’s largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal. Families PCSing here settle across the Quad Cities in Illinois or Iowa, in an affordable Midwest river market with strong schools on the Iowa side.
Last updated: 2026-07-19
On-base vs off-base housing
On-post housing is limited, so most families live in the Quad Cities. Moline and Rock Island on the Illinois side sit closest, while Bettendorf and Davenport across the river in Iowa draw families for their top schools. The Quad Cities are affordable with home prices below the national average, so buying with a VA loan is common.
Where military families live near Rock Island Arsenal
Families PCSing to Rock Island Arsenal most often settle in Bettendorf / Davenport, IA, Moline, IL, Rock Island, IL. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bettendorf / Davenport, IA | $1,200-$1,700 | $240k-$350k | 10-20 min | Top schools across the river in Iowa; family favorite. |
| Moline, IL | $1,100-$1,550 | $180k-$280k | 5-15 min | Closest Illinois-side city with good amenities. |
| Rock Island, IL | $1,000-$1,450 | $160k-$250k | 5-10 min | Right by the arsenal with the most affordable inventory. |
2026 BAH near Rock Island Arsenal
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Rock Island Arsenal is set by the IL089 (Rock Island, IL) military housing area. Rates below are monthly, by pay grade, for 2026.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $1,908 | $1,476 |
| E-7 | $2,262 | $1,728 |
| O-3 | $2,298 | $2,118 |
Source: DoD/DTMO 2026 BAH rate table (travel.dod.mil), effective January 1, 2026.
Schools near Rock Island Arsenal
| School | Level | District | Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Valley High School | High | Pleasant Valley CSD | Bettendorf |
| Moline High School | High | Moline-Coal Valley Schools | Moline |
| Riverdale Heights Elementary | Elementary | Pleasant Valley CSD | Bettendorf |
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Should I live on the Illinois or Iowa side of the Quad Cities?
Both work. Moline and Rock Island on the Illinois side sit closest to the arsenal. Bettendorf and Davenport across the river in Iowa draw families for their top schools, especially Pleasant Valley. The Quad Cities are compact, so commutes stay short from either side, and the choice often comes down to schools.
Are the Quad Cities affordable for military families?
Yes. The Quad Cities have home prices below the national average, so buying with a VA loan is realistic for most ranks. The Iowa side offers top-rated schools that draw many families, while the Illinois side near the arsenal has the most affordable inventory and the shortest commute.
Related bases
Naval Station Great Lakes
North Chicago, Illinois
Air ForceScott Air Force Base
O'Fallon, Illinois
Side-by-side comparisons: Rock Island Arsenal vs Naval Station Great LakesRock Island Arsenal vs Scott Air Force Base
More: Army bases · Bases in Illinois