📍 CONUS COLA Calculator 2026

Continental US Cost of Living Allowance | 18 Eligible Areas • 2,612 ZIP Codes

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Calculate Your CONUS COLA

Enter your duty station ZIP code, rank, years of service, and dependency status to see your 2026 CONUS COLA rate.

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Your Monthly CONUS COLA:

$0

Annual Value: $0

⚠️ Taxable: Unlike BAH, CONUS COLA is taxable income. It will appear on your W-2 and is subject to federal and state income tax.

🚫 Not in a CONUS COLA Area

ZIP code is not in one of the 18 designated high-cost CONUS areas for 2026.

CONUS COLA is only paid at duty stations where living costs significantly exceed the national average. See the eligible locations below.

📊 2026 CONUS COLA by Location

Compare monthly COLA across all 18 eligible areas. Adjust rank, YOS, and dependents to see how rates change.

🗺️ All 18 CONUS COLA Eligible Areas (2026)

Only these locations qualify for CONUS COLA in 2026. Eligibility is reviewed annually and areas can be added or removed.

Location Index % Above Average ZIP Codes

What is CONUS COLA?

CONUS COLA (Continental United States Cost of Living Allowance) is a supplemental allowance paid to military members stationed in high-cost areas within the 48 contiguous states. While BAH covers housing costs, CONUS COLA addresses the higher costs of goods and services like groceries, transportation, childcare, and utilities. For 2026, approximately 127,000 service members across 18 designated areas receive CONUS COLA payments totaling roughly $99 million annually.

Unlike OCONUS COLA paid overseas, CONUS COLA is a taxable allowance — it appears on your W-2 and is subject to federal and state income taxes. Despite this, it represents meaningful additional compensation: an E-5 with dependents stationed in San Francisco receives $384/month ($4,608/year) in CONUS COLA on top of their base pay and BAH.

How CONUS COLA is Calculated

CONUS COLA uses a formula based on three factors: your pay grade base rate (which varies by rank and years of service), a location index (1-8, reflecting how expensive the area is), and your dependency status. The formula is simple: Monthly COLA = Base Rate × Location Index. San Francisco has the highest index at 8, while most eligible areas share the lowest index of 1.

Rates are set once per year and take effect January 1st. Unlike OCONUS COLA which fluctuates with exchange rates, CONUS COLA is stable throughout the calendar year. The Department of Defense reviews eligible areas annually based on cost-of-living surveys, and areas can gain or lose eligibility from year to year — in 2026, 9 areas lost eligibility while 6 new areas were added.

CONUS COLA vs BAH vs OCONUS COLA

These three allowances serve different purposes. BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) covers rent and housing costs and is tax-free. CONUS COLA covers non-housing expenses in high-cost CONUS areas and is taxable. OCONUS COLA covers non-housing expenses overseas and is tax-free. A service member in San Francisco receives all three: BAH for their housing costs, plus CONUS COLA for the elevated cost of everything else. Understanding how these stack together is key to evaluating your total compensation at different duty stations.

Eligible Locations for 2026

The 18 CONUS COLA areas for 2026 are concentrated in California (San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Camp Pendleton, Marin/Sonoma), New York (NYC, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester), Washington state (Seattle, Everett), Maryland (Baltimore), Virginia (Warrenton), Illinois (Chicago), and Massachusetts (Nantucket). If your duty station ZIP code falls within one of these designated areas, you automatically receive CONUS COLA — no application required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply for CONUS COLA?

No. CONUS COLA is automatically calculated based on your duty station ZIP code. If your duty station is in an eligible area, the allowance appears on your LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) without any action on your part.

Is CONUS COLA taxed?

Yes. Unlike BAH and OCONUS COLA, CONUS COLA is subject to federal and state income tax. It is included in your gross taxable income on your W-2. Depending on your tax bracket, you'll keep roughly 75-85% of the CONUS COLA amount after taxes.

What if I live off-base in a nearby area?

CONUS COLA is based on your duty station ZIP code, not where you live. If your installation is in an eligible ZIP code, you receive CONUS COLA even if your off-base residence is in a non-eligible ZIP code.

Can I receive both CONUS COLA and BAH?

Yes. BAH and CONUS COLA are separate entitlements. BAH offsets housing costs while CONUS COLA offsets non-housing costs. Receiving one does not reduce or eliminate the other. Service members in high-cost CONUS areas benefit from both.

How does CONUS COLA compare to OCONUS COLA?

CONUS COLA is taxable and changes once per year. OCONUS COLA is tax-free and can change as often as every two weeks due to exchange rate fluctuations. OCONUS COLA rates are generally higher because overseas costs can be substantially more than stateside. You cannot receive both simultaneously — you get whichever applies to your current duty station.

Use the Full Compensation Calculator to see how CONUS COLA fits into your total military pay alongside base pay, BAH, BAS, and other allowances. For overseas assignments, check the OCONUS COLA Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CONUS COLA?

CONUS COLA (Continental United States Cost of Living Allowance) is a taxable allowance paid to military service members stationed in high-cost areas within the continental US. It compensates for non-housing costs like groceries, transportation, and services that exceed the national average. As of 2026, 18 locations across California, New York, Washington, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts qualify.

How much is CONUS COLA for an E-5?

CONUS COLA for an E-5 with 4 years of service and dependents ranges from $48/month in Baltimore and San Diego (index 1) to $384/month in San Francisco (index 8). Los Angeles and Sacramento pay $144/month, New York City and Seattle pay $192/month, and Oakland pays $288/month. The exact amount depends on your pay grade, years of service, dependency status, and duty station ZIP code.

Is CONUS COLA taxable?

Yes, CONUS COLA is taxable income, unlike BAH and OCONUS COLA which are tax-free. CONUS COLA appears on your LES and is included in your W-2 taxable wages. Despite being taxable, it still provides a net benefit for service members in high-cost areas.

How do I know if my ZIP code qualifies for CONUS COLA?

Only 2,612 ZIP codes across 18 high-cost areas qualify for CONUS COLA. Enter your duty station ZIP code in the calculator above to check. Qualifying areas include San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Clara County, New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Long Island, Westchester County, Baltimore, Chicago, San Diego, Camp Pendleton, Marin/Sonoma, Everett, Warrenton, Staten Island, and Nantucket.

How is CONUS COLA calculated?

CONUS COLA is calculated using three factors: a base rate determined by your pay grade and years of service, multiplied by a location index (1-8) assigned to your duty station ZIP code. The formula is: Monthly COLA = Base Rate × Location Index. San Francisco has the highest index (8) while locations like Baltimore and Chicago have the lowest (1).