Duty Station Comparison

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 Liberty, 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 profit 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