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).

• Do you qualify for COLA?
• Learn important details about your COLA
• Calculate your 2009 COLA rate
• Search by Zip Code
• Overseas "OCONUS" COLA
• COLA FAQs

COLA Eligibility

• 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

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