Best Neighborhoods for Military Families Near Little Rock Air Force Base (2026)

Choosing Where to Live Near Little Rock Air Force Base

Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB) is located in Jacksonville, Arkansas — about 17 miles northeast of downtown Little Rock. The 19th Airlift Wing calls it home, making it one of the Air Force’s premier C-130 training installations. Thousands of active-duty airmen, Department of Defense civilians, and their families live in the communities surrounding the base.

Choosing where to live is one of the most important decisions of a PCS move. The right community depends on your priorities: school quality, commute time, home size for your budget, spouse employment options, community feel, and BAH/VA loan factors. This guide breaks down every major option so you can make the best choice for your family.

1. Cabot, AR — Best Overall for Families with School-Age Children

Distance to LRAFB main gate: ~20 miles, 20–25 minutes
Median home price: $195,000–$235,000
School district: Cabot School District (one of Arkansas’s highest-rated)

Cabot is the top choice for military families who prioritize school quality above all else. The Cabot School District consistently ranks among the best in Arkansas, with strong AP and dual-enrollment programs at Cabot High, excellent elementary campuses, and competitive athletics. The community has a substantial military presence — a significant percentage of Cabot residents are LRAFB families, which means school staff are experienced with deployments, PCS transitions, and military family dynamics.

Cabot’s housing stock ranges from older affordable neighborhoods to master-planned new construction developments. You can get a brand-new 4-bedroom home in Cabot for $230,000–$280,000 — a price point where VA loans work exceptionally well. The commute on US-67 is straightforward with minimal traffic until it merges toward the base.

Best for: Families with school-age kids, VA loan buyers, those wanting strong military community support.

2. Sherwood, AR — Best for Shortest Commute

Distance to LRAFB main gate: ~10 miles, 10–15 minutes
Median home price: $185,000–$260,000
School district: Sherwood School District (strong performance)

Sherwood is the closest incorporated city to the base with substantial housing stock. It sits between North Little Rock and Jacksonville on US-67, making it the default choice for service members who want to minimize commute time. Sherwood has excellent schools, a newer city hall and recreation center, strong parks infrastructure, and growing retail along Kiehl Avenue.

The housing market in Sherwood skews toward established 1980s–2000s neighborhoods with well-maintained yards and mature trees. New construction exists but is more limited than in Cabot or Bryant. VA loans are very active in Sherwood — expect to compete with other VA buyers in the $190,000–$240,000 range.

Best for: Short-commute priority, families wanting established neighborhoods, service members who frequently report to base early.

3. Jacksonville, AR — Best for Lowest Housing Cost

Distance to LRAFB main gate: 2–5 miles, 5–10 minutes
Median home price: $135,000–$175,000
School district: Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District

Jacksonville is the base’s host city, and living here means you’re as close to the gate as possible without living on base. Housing prices in Jacksonville are the lowest of any community in this guide — a VA loan buyer can often purchase a 3-bedroom home under $160,000, resulting in monthly payments well below BAH rates, which means keeping the difference as a housing allowance bonus.

The Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District has faced challenges and performs below Cabot and Sherwood on state metrics. Families with school-age children typically choose Cabot or Sherwood for this reason. But for single airmen, couples without children, or families using private schools, Jacksonville’s proximity and affordability are hard to beat.

Best for: Single airmen, BAH maximizers, short-tour families, private school families.

4. Beebe, AR — Best for Rural Character and Space

Distance to LRAFB main gate: ~25 miles, 25–30 minutes
Median home price: $165,000–$210,000
School district: Beebe School District (solid performance)

Beebe is a White County city of about 8,000, located north of Jacksonville along US-67. It has a small-town, rural character that many military families — particularly those coming from rural areas themselves — find refreshing after years of suburban base living. Arkansas State University-Beebe is located here, adding a college-town dimension to a small city.

Homes in Beebe offer more land per dollar than anywhere else near the base — it’s common to find 3-4 bedroom homes on half-acre or larger lots for $175,000–$200,000. The commute down US-67 is easy. Beebe’s school district performs solidly for its size.

Best for: Families wanting land and space, rural lifestyle preferences, horse/livestock owners.

5. North Little Rock, AR — Best for Urban Lifestyle

Distance to LRAFB main gate: ~15 miles, 15–20 minutes
Median home price: $165,000–$195,000
School district: North Little Rock School District / Sherwood SD (northern areas)

North Little Rock offers something none of the other communities on this list can match: genuine urban character. The Argenta Arts District, Dickey-Stephens Park, the Big Dam Bridge, Burns Park, and direct river access to Little Rock make NLR the lifestyle choice for military families who want city energy. If your spouse wants walkable restaurants, arts events, and urban density — NLR delivers that at a lower price than Little Rock proper.

Best for: Dual-income households, spouses who value urban amenities, buyers wanting to build equity in an appreciating urban market.

6. Ward, AR — The Hidden Affordable Option

Distance to LRAFB main gate: ~18 miles, 20 minutes
Median home price: $155,000–$195,000
School district: Cabot School District

Ward is technically in the Cabot School District — which gives it the district’s academic advantages — but home prices are $20,000–$40,000 lower than Cabot proper. Ward is growing fast as buyers discover this combination. New construction is expanding along US-64. For VA loan buyers who want Cabot schools at a lower entry price, Ward deserves serious consideration.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want Cabot schools, VA loan first-timers, growing families needing space.

BAH Rates and VA Loans Near LRAFB (2026)

The BAH rate for LRAFB (Zip Code 72076, Pulaski County) in 2026 for an E-5 with dependents is approximately $1,350–$1,500/month. With Central Arkansas median home prices well under $250,000, VA loan monthly payments (PITI) in the $1,200–$1,600 range are common — meaning many service members can cover their entire mortgage payment with BAH and pocket the difference as net savings compared to paying rent.

Work With a Military-Experienced REALTOR® Near LRAFB

Ashley Watters is a Central Arkansas REALTOR® with eXp Realty and a military spouse who has helped dozens of LRAFB families find their perfect community. She knows the commute times, the school districts, the neighborhoods, and the VA loan process inside and out.

📞 (501) 951-9200 | arkansashousesearch.com

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