🌍 OCONUS COLA Calculator 2026
Calculate Overseas Cost of Living Allowance for 657 locations across 196 countries and U.S. territories
No COLA Available
What is OCONUS COLA?
The Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (OCONUS COLA) is a non-taxable allowance that offsets higher costs of goods and services at overseas duty stations. It's separate from OHA (housing) and covers everyday expenses like groceries, transportation, and personal services.
COLA uses a location-specific cost index (US average = 100), your base pay, years of service, and dependents. High-cost locations like Switzerland (index 184) or Iceland (178) produce significantly more COLA than locations near US costs like Okinawa (104) or Korea (106-122).
Single members in barracks with a meal card receive approximately 63% of the standard rate since some expenses are already covered.
Use the Full Compensation Calculator to see how OCONUS COLA fits into your total pay. Check the OHA Calculator for overseas housing allowance rates, or the CONUS COLA Calculator for high-cost stateside areas.
Highest OCONUS COLA Locations (2026)
These locations have the highest cost-of-living indices, producing the most COLA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OCONUS COLA?
OCONUS COLA (Overseas Cost of Living Allowance) is a non-taxable allowance that compensates military members for higher costs at overseas duty stations. It covers everyday expenses like groceries, transportation, and personal services — not housing, which is covered by OHA. COLA amounts are based on a location cost index, your base pay, years of service, and number of dependents.
How much OCONUS COLA do you get in Germany?
OCONUS COLA in Germany varies by location. As of the most recent DTMO update, Ramstein/KMC has an index of 130, Stuttgart is 134, Wiesbaden is 138, and Grafenwöhr/Vilseck is 120. For an E-5 with 4 years of service and no dependents, Ramstein produces approximately $792/month while Stuttgart produces approximately $898/month. Rates vary significantly by rank and dependents.
How much OCONUS COLA do you get in Japan?
Japan OCONUS COLA ranges from index 102 (Shariki and Other Locations) to index 118 (Other Kyoto Prefecture). For an E-5 with 4 YOS and no dependents, Okinawa and Iwakuni (index 104) produce approximately $106/month. Tokyo (index 112) produces approximately $317/month. Japan's relatively low indices reflect the weaker yen, but rates change with currency fluctuations.
Is OCONUS COLA taxable?
No, OCONUS COLA is completely non-taxable. It does not appear as taxable income on your W-2. This makes it more valuable per dollar than taxable pay — $1,000 in OCONUS COLA is equivalent to roughly $1,300-$1,400 in taxable civilian income depending on your tax bracket.
Do barracks residents get OCONUS COLA?
Yes, but at a reduced rate. Single service members living in government quarters with a meal card receive approximately 63% of the standard COLA rate, since some living expenses are already covered by the government. Those living off-base without dependents receive the full without-dependents rate.
Which overseas location has the highest COLA?
Bern, Switzerland has the highest COLA index worldwide at 184, followed by the Faroe Islands (182), Iceland (Reykjavik at 178), and Geneva and Zurich (172). Denmark (Copenhagen at 164), Bermuda (162), and Hong Kong (156) also rank among the highest. In more common military locations, Munich and Pfullendorf, Germany (156) and Berlin (152) are the highest in Europe.
📋 Verify OCONUS COLA
All data on this page comes from official government sources. Verify independently:
📎 OCONUS COLA Rates (DTMO)📎 OCONUS COLA Calculator (DTMO)📍 This is an estimate. For official entitlements, talk to your installation's free financial resources:
Find Your Installation's Finance Office & Financial Counselors →Search for your base → Personal Financial Management / ACS / Fleet & Family Support / Airman & Family Readiness. All services are free and confidential.