Compare Your PCS Move
Compare your current and new station side by side — BAH, CONUS COLA, state income tax, and estimated take-home pay.
Enter your current and new station, plus your rank
See side-by-side BAH, COLA, and tax differences
Make an informed PCS preference decision
E-5 · 8 yrs · w/dep · Fort Bragg → JBLM
JBLM ahead: +$922/mo
Your Situation
Current Station
📍 Fort Bragg/Pope, NC
New Station
📍 Tacoma, WA
Tacoma, WA pays $922 more per month
$11,059 more per year after estimated federal and state taxes
Tacoma, WA has no state income tax — that saves approximately $2,059/year vs. Fort Bragg/Pope, NC.
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Useful for comparing your current and new station before finalizing a PCS decision, or discussing options with family.
Full Housing Guides
Fort Bragg/Pope, NC
Fort Bragg/Pope, NC
North Carolina · ~4.0% est. state tax
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma, WA
Washington · No state income tax
Base pay
E-5 · 8 YOS
$4,300/mo
$4,300/mo
BAH
With dependents
$1,806/mo
$2,556/mo
BAS
Enlisted rate
$477/mo
$477/mo
Gross monthly
Before taxes
$6,583/mo
$7,333/mo
Est. state income tax
On base pay + COLA only · many states exempt military payOn base pay only
$172/mo (4.0%)
No state tax
Est. take-home
After fed + state taxes
$6,065/mo
$6,987/mo
Annual summary
BAH difference/yr
+$9,000
more at Tacoma, WA
State tax difference/yr
+$2,059
more at Tacoma, WA
Take-home difference/yr
+$11,059
more at Tacoma, WA
Comparison period
1 year
Multiply for longer tours
State tax estimates are approximate
Many states offer partial or full exemptions for active-duty military pay. For example, some states exempt pay earned while stationed outside the state, while others exempt all active duty pay regardless of duty station. The rates shown here are simplified effective rates that do not account for these exemptions, deductions, or your filing status.
Check with your state tax authority or a tax professional for your specific situation. Your installation's Legal Assistance office provides free tax guidance and can clarify which exemptions apply to your duty station. Federal estimates use 2026 brackets with the standard deduction for a single filer. This is not tax advice.
Fort Bragg, NC vs. Fort Hood, TX: What's the Real Financial Difference?
Scenario: E-5, 8 years of service, married with dependents — comparing total monthly compensation at Fort Bragg, NC (ZIP 28310) vs. Fort Hood, TX (ZIP 76544). Same rank, same years, two very different BAH rates. 2026 data.
What this means: The E-5 at Fort Bragg earns $4,608 more per year than their counterpart at Fort Hood — entirely due to the higher local housing market driving a higher BAH rate. Neither location qualifies for CONUS COLA. That $384/month difference is tax-free BAH that can be directed toward savings, a home down payment, or debt reduction. When evaluating PCS orders, this difference in annual compensation should factor alongside cost of living differences in the local economy.
Why the duty station you accept matters financially
Two service members at the same rank and years of service can have dramatically different take-home pay depending on where they're stationed. The differences come from three places: BAH (which varies by local housing costs), CONUS COLA (available at a small number of high-cost duty stations), and state income tax (nine states have no income tax on wages).
A single PCS move between Fort Bragg, NC and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA can mean more than $500/month in additional take-home pay — not from a raise, but from the combination of higher BAH in the Pacific Northwest and Washington's lack of state income tax.
What this calculator includes
- BAH — 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing by ZIP code, pay grade, and dependency status (DTMO official data)
- Base pay — 2026 DFAS pay tables for all grades and years of service
- BAS — 2026 Basic Allowance for Subsistence ($476.95 enlisted, $328.48 officer)
- CONUS COLA — Approximate monthly allowance if either duty station is in a qualifying high-cost CONUS area
- State income tax — Approximate effective rate on taxable income (base pay + CONUS COLA) — BAH and BAS are always federal and state tax-free
- Federal income tax — Simplified progressive calculation using 2026 brackets and standard deduction
What BAH is really worth at each location
BAH is calculated to cover approximately 95% of local median housing costs for your grade and dependency status. Because it's tax-free, a service member in the 22% federal bracket effectively needs to earn $1.28 in civilian wages to equal $1.00 of BAH.
The BAH difference between duty stations can be substantial — $500 to $1,000+/month between low-cost and high-cost areas. Combined with state tax differences, two comparable-looking sets of orders can mean a $6,000–$15,000/year difference in take-home pay.
State income tax and military pay
Nine states have no individual income tax on wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (wages only), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. A service member stationed in one of these states pays no state tax on their base pay, regardless of their home state of record (domicile) in many cases.
Many other states offer partial or full exemptions for active duty military pay, particularly for members stationed out of state. The estimated state tax shown in this calculator uses simplified effective rates and does not account for these exemptions.
For accurate state tax information specific to your situation, contact your installation's Legal Assistance office or a qualified tax professional. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) offers free tax filing services on most installations.
Related calculators
- BAH Calculator — Look up 2026 BAH for any ZIP code with exact DTMO data
- PCS Cost Estimator — Estimate DLA, MALT mileage, per diem, TLE, and PPM net proceeds for your move
- Total Military Compensation — Full compensation breakdown including tax advantages and TSP matching
- CONUS COLA Calculator — Check if your duty station qualifies for CONUS Cost of Living Allowance
Learn More
Disclaimer
MilPayTools calculators use official DoD and VA rate tables (2026) for educational purposes only. Results are estimates and may not reflect your exact situation. Always verify your pay and benefits with your unit's Finance Office, your MyPay account, or an accredited military financial counselor. Tax calculations are illustrative estimates — consult a tax professional for personalized advice. This tool is not affiliated with the Department of Defense, the VA, or any government agency.
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