CONUS COLA
Cost of Living Allowance
How this works
CONUS COLA is paid in the highest-cost stateside locations (top ~7 areas). Most CONUS duty stations get $0.
Estimate only: Real rate depends on official DTMO market basket survey + your exact paygrade, dependent status, and reporting date.
Tax-free: Like BAH, CONUS COLA is not federally taxable.
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Frequently asked questions
Common questions from service members and veterans. Your exact number comes from the calculator above; every answer cites the official source.
Why did my pay drop after I PCS'd, where did my COLA go?⌄
CONUS COLA is a taxable allowance for high-cost areas inside the continental US, set by duty-station ZIP, pay grade, years of service, and dependents. If you move to a ZIP that does not exceed the DoD cost threshold, it drops to $0 immediately with no phase-out and no BAH offset. It can also be reduced mid-tour if the area's relative costs fall. It is separate from BAH and from overseas COLA. Run the calculator with your ZIP to see if you qualify.
Source: DoD DTMO CONUS COLA
What's the 2026 retiree and VA COLA, and why is it different from the pay raise?⌄
The retiree and VA disability COLA tracks CPI (the same index as Social Security) and applies to retired pay, VA disability, SMC, DIC, and pension, effective December 1 and first seen in the January payment. The active-duty basic pay raise is a separate, usually different percentage tied to the Employment Cost Index. They are two different mechanisms for two different audiences. Both are automatic.
Source: DoD / VA.gov / SSA COLA
Do I get the COLA increase automatically or do I need to file?⌄
It is automatic. No claim, call, or form is needed. The COLA applies to VA disability ratings 10-100%, TDIU, SMC, DIC, pension, and military retired pay. A 0% rating has no monthly amount, so nothing changes there. Use the calculator to see your post-COLA monthly figure.
Source: VA.gov / DFAS
What's the difference between CONUS COLA and OCONUS COLA, and is COLA taxed?⌄
CONUS COLA covers high-cost areas inside the continental US, is TAXABLE, and adjusts yearly. OCONUS COLA covers overseas duty stations, is NON-taxable, and can change as often as monthly with currency and cost shifts. Neither is the same as the retiree/VA COLA or as BAH. The tax treatment difference catches people off guard.
Source: DoD DTMO COLA
Is COLA the same as my BAH or my combat-zone tax break?⌄
No, these are three different things. BAH is a housing allowance, COLA offsets high cost of living (CONUS taxable, OCONUS non-taxable), and the combat-zone tax exclusion removes federal tax from pay earned in a designated zone. They can all appear on one LES but follow separate rules. The calculator handles each separately so you do not double-count.
Source: DoD DTMO / IRS