CONUS Cost of Living Allowance (CONUS COLA)

Start Here If You Are New to CONUS COLA

CONUS COLA is a taxable allowance for Marines stationed at high-cost CONUS PDS locations. The Uniformed Services cost of living for the area exceeds the CONUS average by at least 5 percent. Rate depends on PDS location, pay grade, YOS, and dependent status (with-dependent or without). The DTMO publishes the CONUS COLA rate table.

This page walks you through CONUS COLA from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• How a high-cost area is designated (5 percent threshold)
• The PDS-based eligibility rules
• The dependent status rules (with vs. without dependent)
• Concurrent CONUS COLA and OCONUS COLA scenarios
• The rate table source (DTMO)

Every fact on this page comes from DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 67 (December 2024) and Title 37 U.S.C.Title 37 U.S.C.

What CONUS COLA Is

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 1.1, CONUS COLA is the cost of living allowance for Marines assigned in the CONUS at a high-cost area. The chapter specifies the rates payable and the effect that a dependent has upon those rates.

High-Cost Area Definition

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 2.1, an area is a high-cost area for a fiscal year if the Uniformed Services cost of living for that area for the base period (the 12-month period ending on June 30 of the year in which the fiscal year begins) exceeds the average cost of living in CONUS for that base period by at least the threshold percentage.

The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the other administering Secretaries, establishes the threshold percentage. The threshold percentage is not less than 5 percent. Administering Secretaries are allowed to prescribe a higher threshold percentage for a fiscal year.

Service Member With a Dependent

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 2.2, a Marine is with a dependent if the Marine is authorized BAH at the with-dependent rate (or would be authorized at the with-dependent rate if Government quarters were not occupied).

This does NOT include a Marine authorized BAH at the with-dependent rate solely based on paying child support.

A spouse who is also a Service Member on Active Duty does not qualify as a dependent for CONUS COLA purposes.

Service Member Without a Dependent

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 2.3, a Marine is considered without a dependent if any of these conditions apply.

• The Marine is authorized BAH at the without-dependent rate.
• The Marine would be authorized the without-dependent BAH rate if Government quarters were not occupied.
• The Marine is authorized the with-dependent BAH rate solely based on paying child support.

CONUS COLA Eligibility

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 3.1.

PDS-Based Eligibility

CONUS COLA rates are based on the Marine's PDS, home port, designated place, or the primary dependent's location in a CONUS high-cost area when authorized.

Start and End Dates

CONUS COLA based on a PDS begins on the day the Marine reports to the PDS and ends the day before reporting to the next PDS.

The CONUS COLA rate applicable to the primary dependent's permanent residence starts on the date the primary dependent arrives at the new residence OR the date the Marine reports to the new PDS in connection with the transfer, whichever is later.

When a Marine is departing from a PDS OCONUS and the new PDS is in CONUS, the Marine is authorized CONUS COLA for the new PDS starting on the reporting date at the new PDS.

CONUS COLA on Leave

The CONUS COLA rate paid to the Marine does not change when the Marine is on leave. CONUS COLA continues at the PDS rate while on leave.

Two Married Service Members

If two married Service Members maintain a joint residence with a dependent, CONUS COLA is paid to one spouse at the with-dependent rate and to the other spouse at the without-dependent rate.

Service Member Assigned to a Ship or Afloat Staff

Per paragraph 3.1.2, regardless of BAH eligibility, a Marine assigned to a ship or afloat staff is eligible for CONUS COLA unless the Marine is already drawing CONUS COLA for a dependent at another location. The CONUS COLA rate is based on the home port of the Marine's assigned ship or afloat staff.

TDY in Route

Per paragraph 3.1.1.4, when a Marine is on PCS to a new PDS in CONUS and has TDY in route, CONUS COLA at the new PDS rate begins the day after per diem stops, provided.

• The TDY is near but not at the PDS.
• The Marine commutes to the TDY location from what will become the permanent quarters after reporting to the new PDS.

Concurrent CONUS COLA and OCONUS COLA

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 3.3, concurrent payment of OCONUS COLA and CONUS COLA is allowed only when.

• The Marine is OCONUS in an unaccompanied status with the dependent in CONUS at a high-cost area.

In this case, the Marine receives OCONUS COLA at the OCONUS rate plus CONUS COLA at the without-dependent rate for the dependent's CONUS location.

CONUS COLA and Dependent Circumstances

Per Chapter 67 section 4.0, several circumstances affect CONUS COLA.

• A Marine who acquires a dependent who is in CONUS receives CONUS COLA based on the new with-dependent rate.
• Physical custody of a child affects CONUS COLA per the Chapter 67 Table 67-1 framework.
• Advance and delayed dependent travel to a PDS OCONUS triggers specific transition rules.
• A Marine serving in an unaccompanied status OCONUS continues CONUS COLA based on the dependent's CONUS location.

CONUS COLA and Unusual Circumstances

Per Chapter 67 section 5.0, unusual circumstances such as evacuations, emergency leave, hospitalization, and other special situations follow the framework in the chapter tables. Coordinate with your S-1 against the specific table for the unusual circumstance.

Reserve Component Members

Per Chapter 67 section 6.0 and Table 67-9, RC Marines on AD orders qualify for CONUS COLA based on the PDS and dependent status. The same high-cost area framework applies. RC Marines on inactive duty (drill weekends) do not qualify for CONUS COLA.

Rate Source

The CONUS COLA rate table is published at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/CONUS-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/.

Rates depend on.

• Marine Corps Installation (MCI) or other CONUS PDS location.
• Pay grade.
• Years of Service.
• Dependent status (with or without).

CONUS COLA and Taxes

CONUS COLA is taxable income. It is included in the Marine's W-2 wages and reported on the federal income tax return. This differs from BAH, which is non-taxable.

Verifying CONUS COLA on the LES

A monthly LES check confirms CONUS COLA entries.

Step 1. Pull Your LES

Through MyPay each payday at the high-cost CONUS PDS.

Step 2. Verify the CONUS COLA Line

The LES shows CONUS COLA as a line item under Entitlements. Verify the rate against the DTMO CONUS COLA table for your PDS, pay grade, YOS, and dependent status.

Step 3. Resolve Discrepancies

Coordinate with your S-1. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am stationed at MCB Camp Pendleton (San Diego high-cost area). Do I get CONUS COLA?

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 3.1, yes if San Diego is on the DTMO CONUS COLA list for the current fiscal year. The rate depends on your pay grade, YOS, and dependent status. Verify the current rate against the DTMO table.

I PCS from Camp Pendleton to MCB Camp Lejeune (low-cost area). When does my CONUS COLA stop?

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 3.1.1.1, CONUS COLA based on the old PDS ends the day before you report to the new PDS. CONUS COLA at the new PDS begins the day you report to the new PDS, but only if the new PDS is in a high-cost area. If Camp Lejeune is not on the high-cost list, CONUS COLA stops on the day before you report to Camp Lejeune.

I am OCONUS in unaccompanied status with my family in San Francisco (high-cost area). Do I get OCONUS COLA AND CONUS COLA?

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 3.3, yes. You receive OCONUS COLA for your OCONUS PDS plus CONUS COLA at the without-dependent rate for the dependent's CONUS location (San Francisco).

I am dual-military with my Marine spouse. We share a residence with one child at a high-cost CONUS PDS. How is CONUS COLA paid?

Per Chapter 67 paragraph 3.1.1.3, CONUS COLA is paid to one spouse at the with-dependent rate and to the other spouse at the without-dependent rate.

Is CONUS COLA taxable?

Yes. CONUS COLA is taxable income. It is included in W-2 wages. This contrasts with BAH and BAS which are non-taxable allowances.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• CONUS COLA rate verification. The DTMO CONUS COLA table at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/CONUS-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/.
• High-cost area designation for your PDS. The DTMO table or coordinate with your S-1.
• LES corrections for CONUS COLA. Your S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Pay and Entitlements landing page lists all the pay topics.
• BAH covers the parallel housing allowance.
• OCONUS COLA covers the parallel OCONUS allowance.

Related Roles

• Leaders surface CONUS COLA eligibility for Marines arriving at high-cost CONUS PDS locations.
• Admin at S-1 processes CONUS COLA starts and stops on PCS through the reporting unit.
• Commanders verify CONUS COLA entitlement during PCS reviews.

CONUS COLA recognizes the higher cost of living at certain CONUS PDS locations. Verify the rate against the DTMO table monthly. The 5 percent threshold is the eligibility gate. CONUS COLA is taxable.