Calculate your full PCS entitlements and compare move-type scenarios using 2026 JTR rates
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move is one of the most significant financial events in a military member's career. Whether you are relocating from Fort Campbell to Fort Hood, across the country, or simply planning your next duty station assignment, understanding the full cost picture — including every allowance you are entitled to and every dollar you may spend out of pocket — can make the difference between a smooth transition and a financial hardship. This PCS Move Cost Calculator is designed to give service members across all branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force) a comprehensive, honest estimate of exactly what a PCS move will cost them and what the government will pay. Unlike narrow DITY/PPM calculators that focus only on the personally procured move incentive, this tool covers the complete financial picture: Dislocation Allowance (DLA), Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT), per diem for travel days, Household Goods (HHG) reimbursement under a PPM, Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) estimates, advance pay eligibility, and federal tax implications on surplus PPM profit. You can also compare all three move type scenarios side by side — Government Move, Full PPM, and Partial PPM — to determine which option maximizes your financial outcome for your specific rank, dependent status, and move distance. All rates in this calculator are based on the 2026 Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), the authoritative Department of Defense source governing military travel entitlements. The MALT rate is $0.21 per mile per privately-owned vehicle (POV), the per diem rate for CONUS moves is $178 per day for the service member ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE), and the HHG incentive rate is $208.51 per hundredweight (cwt). The DLA rates are pay-grade and dependent-status specific and are updated to reflect the 2026 schedule. TLE is calculated at a maximum of $290 per day for up to 14 days in CONUS. The weight allowance system is foundational to understanding PCS entitlements. Every service member is assigned an authorized weight allowance based on their pay grade and dependent status, ranging from 5,000 pounds for a single E-1 to 18,000 pounds for an O-6 with dependents. If you move more weight than your authorized allowance, you pay the overage cost yourself — which can be thousands of dollars. The built-in weight estimator in this calculator (using the 1,500 lbs per room heuristic) and the BulletChart weight gauge help you understand your utilization before you start packing. For service members considering a PPM (Personally Procured Move, formerly called DITY), the key calculation is simple: the government will reimburse you 100% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC) for moving your weight allowance, which works out to $208.51 per hundredweight. If your actual moving expenses are less than that reimbursement, you pocket the difference — but 22% federal tax withholding applies to the taxable surplus. This calculator shows your gross profit, the estimated federal tax, and your net after-tax gain so you can make an informed decision. The Partial PPM scenario is powerful but often overlooked. By splitting your shipment — having the government move some of your goods and self-moving the rest — you can capture PPM profit on the portion you self-move while reducing your risk and effort. The partial split percentage slider in this calculator lets you model different splits to find your optimal scenario. Special eligibility rules affect DLA. If you are separating from service, DLA is not authorized. If this is your first permanent duty station assignment without dependents, DLA may also be zero. Use the Special Circumstances section to flag these conditions and get an accurate DLA figure. Similarly, pro-gear (professional books, papers, and equipment) up to 2,000 lbs for the member and 500 lbs for a spouse is not counted against your weight allowance, which can meaningfully increase your effective reimbursable weight. Finally, this calculator provides a move-type scenario comparison table showing your estimated net financial position under each move type, advance pay availability (60% of HHG reimbursement available before the move), and a TLE estimate to help you plan your lodging budget during transition. Whether you are an E-3 making your first PCS or an O-5 managing a complex family relocation, this tool gives you the complete financial picture you need to plan with confidence.
Understanding PCS Move Entitlements
What Is a PCS Move?
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move is an official military relocation to a new duty station. Unlike Temporary Duty (TDY), a PCS move changes your permanent home of record for the duration of that assignment — typically 2–4 years. PCS moves are authorized by official orders, and the Department of Defense provides a structured package of financial entitlements to help offset the cost. These entitlements are governed by the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) and include the Dislocation Allowance (DLA), Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT) for POV travel, per diem for travel days, and Household Goods (HHG) entitlements — either government-arranged or a PPM incentive. OCONUS (outside the continental US) moves also include Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) and POV shipment coverage.
How Are PCS Allowances Calculated?
PCS entitlements are computed from four primary inputs: pay grade, dependent status, travel distance, and HHG weight. DLA is a flat one-time payment based on your pay grade and whether you have dependents — it ranges from ~$1,019 to ~$6,386 under 2026 rates. MALT is computed as distance × number of POVs (max 2) × $0.21/mile. Per diem is calculated over authorized travel days (1 day for up to 400 miles, then one additional day per 350 miles beyond that) at $178/day for the member, $133.50/day for each dependent over 12, and $89/day for each dependent under 12. HHG reimbursement for a PPM is the lesser of your actual weight or your authorized weight allowance, divided by 100, times $208.51. The government constructed cost (GCC) represents what it would cost the government to move your weight, and PPM members receive 100% of that amount.
Why Does Move Type Matter?
The choice of move type — Government Move, Full PPM, or Partial PPM — is the biggest financial decision of your PCS. With a Government Move (GTC), the government contracts a mover and pays them directly. You receive DLA, MALT, and per diem, but no HHG reimbursement since the government absorbs the moving cost. With a Full PPM, you arrange your own move and receive HHG reimbursement at the GCC rate. If your actual moving cost is below the GCC rate, you keep the difference (minus 22% federal tax on the surplus). With a Partial PPM, you split the shipment — the government moves part of your goods and you move the rest, capturing PPM profit only on the self-moved portion. For most moves under 1,000 miles with moderate HHG weight, a Full PPM can be profitable. For OCONUS or complex family moves, a Government Move may be less stressful despite lower cash benefit.
Important Limitations
This calculator uses 2026 JTR rates and standard CONUS formulas. OCONUS moves (Alaska, Hawaii, overseas) have significantly different rules including TLA up to 60 days, Unaccompanied Baggage (up to 2,000 lbs), POV shipment coverage (1 vehicle), and NTS (Non-Temporary Storage) at government expense — these are noted but not fully calculable without location-specific data. Per diem calculations assume standard CONUS rates; actual rates vary by duty station locality. The 22% federal tax estimate is a flat withholding approximation — your actual tax liability depends on your full year income and filing status. Pro-gear claims require proper documentation and command certification. Always verify your specific entitlements with your transportation office (TMO/PPPO) before making move decisions, as individual circumstances may affect eligibility.
如何使用此计算器
Enter Your Service Information
Select your military branch, pay grade, and dependent status. These inputs drive your authorized weight allowance and DLA rate. Choose 'With Dependents' if any family members are relocating with you, and enter the number of dependents over and under 12 for accurate per diem calculation.
Select Your Move Type
Choose Government Move, Full PPM, or Partial PPM. Government Move means the DoD contracts a mover — you get DLA, MALT, and per diem but no HHG cash. Full PPM means you arrange your own move and receive HHG reimbursement at the government rate. Partial PPM lets you split the shipment to capture profit on the portion you self-move.
Enter Distance and HHG Weight
Enter your travel distance in miles (use DTOD for the official figure). For HHG weight, use your actual weight from a previous move, get a binding estimate from a mover, or use the room estimator (roughly 1,500 lbs per room). The calculator will show your authorized weight allowance and flag any overweight risk.
Add Expenses and Review Scenarios
If doing a PPM, enter your estimated or actual moving expenses (truck, fuel, packing, labor, tolls, weight tickets). Use the itemized builder for a detailed breakdown. Review the scenario comparison card to see your net financial position under each move type, then export to CSV or print for your records.
常见问题
What is the difference between a PPM and a Government Move?
A Government Move (GTC) means the DoD selects and pays a licensed moving company to transport your household goods. You receive DLA, MALT, and per diem, but no HHG cash since the government pays the mover directly. A PPM (Personally Procured Move) means you arrange your own move — renting a truck, hiring movers, or using a portable storage unit. The government reimburses you at the Government Constructed Cost (GCC) rate, which is $208.51 per hundredweight in 2026. If your actual cost is below the reimbursement, you keep the profit (minus 22% federal tax). PPMs can be financially lucrative for short-to-medium distance moves with moderate HHG weight, but carry more logistical risk and responsibility.
What is DLA (Dislocation Allowance) and who qualifies?
DLA is a one-time flat payment designed to offset the costs of establishing a new household at your new duty station. It is based on your pay grade and dependent status, ranging from approximately $1,019 for a single E-1 to over $6,385 for an O-7 or above with dependents. DLA is authorized for most PCS moves, but there are key exceptions: if you are separating or retiring from service, DLA is not authorized. If this is your first permanent duty station assignment and you do not have dependents, DLA may also be excluded. You also generally receive only one DLA per PCS, even if the move takes multiple steps. Always verify your eligibility with your transportation office.
How is MALT calculated and how many vehicles qualify?
MALT (Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation) compensates you for driving your privately-owned vehicles to your new duty station instead of shipping them at government expense. The 2026 MALT rate is $0.21 per mile per POV, and a maximum of two POVs are authorized. The calculation is straightforward: distance in miles × number of POVs (max 2) × $0.21. For example, a 1,000-mile move with two vehicles earns $420 in MALT ($0.21 × 1,000 × 2). MALT is paid regardless of your move type — Government Move, PPM, or Partial PPM — as long as you are driving your own vehicle to the new station.
What is pro-gear and how does it affect my weight allowance?
Pro-gear (professional gear) refers to professional books, papers, and equipment that are essential to your military duties — such as technical manuals, professional library volumes, and certain instruments. Up to 2,000 lbs for the service member and 500 lbs for a spouse (total up to 2,500 lbs for a couple) of properly documented pro-gear is authorized to move free of charge and is NOT counted against your weight allowance. This means pro-gear effectively increases your usable reimbursable weight. To claim pro-gear, you must document each item and have it certified by your command before the move. Weight tickets must show pro-gear weighed separately.
How does TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) work?
TLE is a CONUS allowance that helps pay for temporary lodging during the transition period before you can occupy permanent housing at your new duty station, or after vacating your old housing. TLE is authorized for up to 14 days total — it can be split between the old and new duty stations. The maximum TLE rate is $290 per day in 2026, though actual entitlement depends on your local per diem rate and family size (the calculation uses a percentage of lodging + M&IE based on how many adults and children are in your party). For OCONUS moves, the equivalent is TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance), which can be authorized for up to 60 days at OCONUS-specific per diem rates.
What expenses qualify for PPM reimbursement?
For a PPM move, you receive the government constructed cost (GCC) based on your weight — not reimbursement of your actual expenses. However, eligible expenses you can deduct from your gross PPM reimbursement when calculating taxable profit include: truck or trailer rental, fuel, packing materials and boxes, hired loading and unloading labor, weight tickets (typically $25–$150 each, two required — empty and loaded), tolls, and hotel accommodation during transit. Items not eligible include your personal meals (covered by per diem), tipping beyond reasonable amounts, and storage costs beyond the authorized SIT period. Keep all receipts because you will need them when submitting your travel voucher (DD Form 1351-2) after the move.