The Department of War released the 2026 Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance rates today. These new rates will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. As a result of the 2026 adjustment, $99 million will be paid to approximately 127,000 uniformed service members stationed within Continental United States next year.
Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance is a supplemental allowance provided to service members and designed to help offset higher living expenses in the highest-cost locations in Continental United States. An area is considered high-cost if the non-housing cost of living for that area, inclusive of categories such as transportation and goods and services, exceeds a threshold of 107% of the national average.
By law, a Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance rate is only prescribed when the index meets a certain threshold above the Continental United States average. Service members assigned to duty stations where the non-housing cost of living is at least seven percent above the national average are eligible for Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance. Data is adjusted to account for Basic Allowance for Subsistence, which is meant to offset the costs for a service member's meals and cost savings gained from shopping at commissaries and exchanges.
For 2026, these are the Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance changes:
- Six military housing areas will begin receiving Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance;
- Eight military housing areas will receive an increase in Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance;
- Two military housing areas will continue receiving the Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance;
- Two military housing areas will receive a decrease in Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance;
- Nine military housing areas will no longer receive Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance; and
- 21 counties will lose Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance for non-military housing areas in non-metropolitan counties.
Military housing areas with the highest Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance rates:
- San Francisco, California 8%
- Oakland, California 6%
- Santa Clara County, California 5%
- Staten Island, New York 5%
- Seatle, Washington 5%
Military housing area with the largest decrease:
- Humboldt County, California 5% to 0%
Military housing area with the largest increase:
- Seattle, Washington 0% to 5%
The total amount of Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance a service member receives varies based on geographic duty location, pay grade, years of service, and dependency status. Service members can calculate their Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance rate at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/CONUS-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/CONUS-COLA-Rate-Lookup/.
Additional information about Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance can be found on the Defense Travel Management Office website at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/CONUS-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/.
