As a servicemember, you can expect to be stationed virtually anywhere in the country. During your career, you are likely to be assigned to a variety of low-, moderate- and high-cost locations. Although private sector pay scales tend to reflect local living costs in U.S. locations, military pay tables do not. To make up for this imbalance, you are eligible to receive a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) if you are stationed in certain "high-cost" locations in the continental United States (CONUS).

COLA Eligibility

You qualify for COLA under any of these conditions:
  • You are assigned to a high-cost area in the continental United States (CONUS). As of this writing, there are less than 50 such locations (military housing areas, or MHAs) in the U.S.
  • You are assigned to an unaccompanied tour of duty outside the continental United States if the primary dependent of the member resides in a high cost area in the continental United States.
  • It is determined that your primary dependent must reside in a high cost area in the continental United States due to your duty location or other circumstances.

Important details

  • CONUS COLA is based on the zip code of your duty station, not your home address.
  • CONUS COLA is a taxable allowance; an amount is added to cover an average income tax rate
  • COLA is computed separately for members with and without dependents.
  • 2009 COLA rates dropped for many areas.
  • According to the DoD Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee website, servicemembers residing in the following locations will no longer be eligible for COLA:
    - Edwards AFB/Palmdale Ca.
    - Ventura, Ca.
    - Monterey Ca.
    - San Louis Obispo, Ca.
    - Travis AFB/Fairfield/Vallejo, Ca.
    - Bakersfield, Ca.
    - West Palm Beach Fl.
    - Joliet Army Depot, Il

Calculate Your 2009 CONUS COLA Payment

To figure out if you qualify for a CONUS COLA payment, follow these five easy steps:

  1. Check off whether you have a dependent or not.
  2. Select your pay grade.
  3. Select your minimum Time in Service.
  4. Select your location.

    Note: If your location is not listed, you are not eligible for a CONUS COLA payment.  Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and other overseas locations are considered OCONUS and are not listed here. Go to the OCONUS COLA web page for more information.
  5. Click on the "Submit" button to find out how much you should be paid.

You can hit the "Reset" button at any time if you make a mistake.

2009 CONUS COLA Payment Calculator
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