PCS Move Cost & Entitlement Estimator
Estimate what a CONUS Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move should pay: Dislocation Allowance (DLA), mileage (MALT), travel per diem, Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) and the PPM (personally procured move, formerly DITY) incentive. The example is filled in: an O-4 with a spouse, a teen and a younger child driving 1,650 miles with two cars.
How the estimate works
- DLA is a flat amount by grade and whether you have dependents, paid once per fiscal year except for listed exceptions (DTMO DLA rates). Only the grades in the rates box are built in; for other grades, type your amount from the DTMO table.
- Travel days: 1 day up to 400 miles; beyond that, 1 day per 350 miles plus a day for a remainder of 51+ miles (JTR 050205, DTMO mileage page). Use the official distance from your orders/transportation office, not a map app.
- MALT = miles × the PCS mileage rate on your departure date × cars (max 2).
- Per diem = travel days × the standard CONUS rate for your departure fiscal year for you; 75% for each dependent 12+ and 50% for each under 12. Flying: 1 travel day at the flat air rate, with the same 75%/50% for dependents (multi-day air itineraries with overnight stops aren't modeled).
- TLE: member + first dependent = 100% of the locality rate, +35% per extra dependent 12+, +25% per extra dependent under 12 (65% if traveling alone). Lodging is the lesser of actual cost or the percentage of the lodging rate; capped at $290/day; 21 days max for CONUS moves, 7 days at the CONUS origin when moving overseas; when returning from overseas, TLE applies only at the CONUS destination (the overseas end uses TLA, not estimated here) (DFAS TLE). Look up locality rates with the DTMO per diem tool.
- PPM: incentive = GCC × incentive %. The part above documented moving expenses is taxable and has withholding taken (Military OneSource: Moving Your Personal Property).
- DLA, MALT, per diem and TLE are generally non-taxable; the PPM incentive above documented expenses is taxable.
Rates used (as of 2026-10-25)
| Rate | Value | Effective | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLA (w/o / w/ deps): E-5 2,389.42/3,548.02; E-7 2,468.19/3,551.31; O-4 4,247.61/4,885.43; O-5 4,583.51/5,542.06 | 2026-01-01 | Verified 2026-10-21, DTMO PDF. 2027 table due Jan 1: rate pending official confirmation | |
| MALT | $0.205/mi from 2026-01-01; $0.235/mi from 2026-07-01 | as shown | Verified 2026-10-21, DTMO. Departures 6+ months after the last rate get a warning; later rates: rate pending official confirmation |
| Standard CONUS per diem (lodging + M&IE) | FY2027: $113 + $68 = $181/day (FY2026: $178) | 2026-10-01 | Verified 2026-10-25, GSA FTR Bulletin 27-01 (Federal Register) |
| Dependent per diem 75% (12+) / 50% (under 12) | 0.75 / 0.50 | JTR ch. 5 | Verified 2026-10-25, DFAS dependents; applies to air too (Army 2026 PCS help sheet) |
| Air travel day per diem | $51 | FY2026 | FY2027 figure: rate pending official confirmation |
| TLE percentages, $290/day cap, 21 days CONUS, 7 days to OCONUS | see above | current | Verified 2026-10-21, DFAS. 21 days from OCONUS: rate pending official confirmation |
| PPM incentive | 100% of GCC | current | rate pending official confirmation |
| PPM federal withholding | 22% | TY2026 | rate pending official confirmation (IRS Pub 15 supplemental rate; confirm DFAS practice) |
| Weight allowances (JTR Table 5-37) | by grade | current | Verified 2026-10-21, NAVSUP |
Not official. Not financial, tax or legal advice. DuffelMath is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense, DFAS, the VA or any military service. Estimates only; your finance office, transportation office and DFAS decide what you are actually paid. Rates as of 2026-10-25; check the linked official sources.