Arkansas Military Relocation Guide 2026 | PCS to Little Rock AFB
PCS · LRAFB · CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Military Relocation to Central Arkansas
Serving active duty, veterans & military families PCSing to Little Rock Air Force Base. VA loans, BAH guidance & top-rated neighborhoods.
Arkansas Military Relocation Guide 2026: Everything You Need to Know About PCS to LRAFB
This is the most comprehensive military relocation guide for Little Rock Air Force Base on the internet. Whether you just got orders, are doing advance research, or are helping a family member PCS to Central Arkansas, every question you have is answered here. Ashley Watters wrote this guide as a military spouse who has lived this experience — not as a salesperson.
About Little Rock Air Force Base
- Official name: Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB)
- Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas (Lonoke County) — approximately 17 miles northeast of downtown Little Rock
- Mission: Home of the 314th Airlift Wing, the Air Force’s largest C-130 training wing. Also hosts the 189th Airlift Wing (Arkansas Air National Guard)
- Aircraft: C-130H and C-130J Hercules
- Installation size: Approximately 6,400 acres
- Military population: ~7,000 active duty, guard, and reserve personnel plus family members
- Main gate ZIP: 72099
Housing Near Little Rock AFB: Your Options
On-Base Housing (Balfour Beatty Communities)
On-base housing at LRAFB is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. There are typically waitlists for on-base housing, especially for larger family sizes. Waitlist times vary from a few weeks to several months depending on rank and family size. If you’re on a waitlist, you receive BAH to use for off-base housing in the interim.
Contact Balfour Beatty at LRAFB Housing Office: (501) 988-3840
Off-Base Housing: Buy vs. Rent
The vast majority of LRAFB families live off-base in the surrounding communities. The decision to buy vs. rent depends on your assignment length and personal preference, but buying almost always makes more financial sense in Central Arkansas when using a VA loan:
- Rental market is tight — good properties go fast
- VA loan requires zero down payment
- Mortgage payments are often LOWER than rental rates on comparable homes
- You build equity instead of paying a landlord
- When you PCS, you can sell (typically at a profit) or rent the home as an investment
Best Communities for LRAFB Families
🥇 Cabot — #1 Choice for Families with Children
15–20 min to main gate | Median price: ~$255,000 | Schools: Cabot SD (8/10)
Cabot is consistently the top choice for military families, particularly those with school-age children. The Cabot School District is one of Arkansas’s strongest, new construction is plentiful, and the community has a deep military culture. BAH at E-6+ covers a comfortable home in Cabot.
🥈 Jacksonville — Best for BAH Coverage & Proximity
5–10 min to main gate | Median price: ~$185,000 | Schools: Jacksonville-North Pulaski SD
Jacksonville is the closest community and most affordable. E-4 BAH fully covers a home here. For short tours, single service members, or those on a tight budget, Jacksonville is the pragmatic choice. The city has been investing significantly in revitalization.
🥉 Sherwood — Established Suburban Feel
15–20 min | Median price: ~$195,000
Sherwood sits between Jacksonville and North Little Rock, offering established neighborhoods at affordable prices. Popular with military families seeking more polish than Jacksonville without the commute of Cabot.
Also Popular: Conway (35–40 min), Maumelle (20–30 min), Bryant (35–40 min)
Officers and senior NCOs often choose Conway for its college-town amenities and excellent schools, Maumelle for its outdoor lifestyle and tight-knit community, or Bryant for top-ranked Bryant School District. Each involves a longer commute but offers excellent quality of life.
2026 BAH Rates for LRAFB
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents | Buys (w/dep, VA loan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4 | $1,137 | $1,008 | ~$175K home in Jacksonville |
| E-5 | $1,479 | $1,206 | ~$230K home |
| E-6 | $1,575 | $1,299 | ~$245K home in Cabot |
| E-7 | $1,674 | $1,413 | ~$260K home in Cabot |
| O-3 | $1,872 | $1,584 | ~$295K in Cabot or Conway |
| O-4 | $2,007 | $1,719 | ~$315K in any community |
VA Loan Fast Facts for LRAFB Members
- ✅ Zero down payment — no savings required to buy
- ✅ No PMI — saves $130–$200/month vs FHA or conventional
- ✅ Lower rates — typically 0.25–0.5% below conventional
- ✅ BAH counts as income — boosts your qualifying loan amount
- ✅ No loan limits for members with full entitlement
- ✅ Disabled veterans exempt from VA funding fee entirely
- ✅ Can reuse — use your VA loan benefit again after selling
Arkansas Veteran Benefits Summary
- Property tax exemption: 100% exemption for 100% P&T disabled veterans
- Military retirement tax: 100% exempt from Arkansas state income tax
- Vehicle tax: 100% P&T veterans exempt from personal property tax on vehicles
- Education: Arkansas National Guard Tuition Incentive Program (full tuition)
- Employment: Veterans’ preference in Arkansas state employment
Schools Near LRAFB: Quick Reference
- Cabot School District (Cabot) — Rated 8/10, consistently top-ranked in Arkansas. Recommended for families with school-age children.
- Jacksonville-North Pulaski SD (Jacksonville) — Improving under recent leadership; adequate for most families, especially younger children.
- Pulaski County Special SD (Sherwood, Maumelle) — Large district, quality varies by school; research individual school ratings.
- Conway School District (Conway) — Well-regarded, strong athletics and academics.
- Bryant School District (Bryant) — Among Arkansas’s top-rated systems; ideal for academic-focused families.
PCS Timeline: What to Do and When
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| 6+ months out | Research communities, contact Ashley for virtual tour, get pre-approved for VA loan |
| 3–6 months out | Narrow down neighborhoods, start active home search, schedule house hunting trip (HHT if authorized) |
| HHT trip | Tour homes with Ashley, make offers, get under contract before returning |
| Under contract | Home inspection, VA appraisal, loan underwriting (30–45 days to close) |
| Closing | Sign documents, get keys — can close remotely if needed before you arrive |
| After arrival | Apply for property tax exemption (if disabled), update Arkansas driver’s license (60 days), register vehicles |
Ashley Watters: Your LRAFB Military Relocation Specialist
Ashley Watters is a military spouse, award-winning REALTOR®, and VA loan specialist with eXp Realty. She has personally helped dozens of military families navigate the LRAFB PCS process — from remote home buying during deployments to last-minute short-notice orders. She understands the military timeline, the VA loan process, and exactly what each community offers military families at every rank and pay grade.
Her service is completely free to buyers. Sellers pay buyer agent commissions. You get a full-service, military-experienced agent at zero cost to you.
(501) 951-9200
Text or call — she responds fast, even on weekends.
Free consultation. No pressure. Just answers.
Complete LRAFB Resource Library
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📋 Resources & Tools
Full entitlement = no limit, zero down payment. County conforming limit $806,500. 10 FAQs answered.