PCS Cost Estimator — 2026 Rates
Estimate your total PCS move entitlements — DLA, mileage (MALT), per diem, TLE, and PPM/DITY profit potential — all from one place. Uses 2026 DTMO rates for all ranks. Compare government move vs. PPM to see which puts more money in your pocket.
Service Member
Affects per diem calculation only
Move Details
Use the official DTOD calculator for the authorized distance on your orders.
Optional
Total estimated PCS entitlements
$4,120
Based on 2026 rates · 2 travel days · 500 miles
Entitlement Breakdown
2026 DTMO rates — verify with your Finance Office
With dependents · one-time payment
500 mi × $0.205 × 1 POV
2 days · first/last day at 75% · standard CONUS rate
75% of member rate per dependent (approx.)
Per diem shown at standard CONUS rates. Actual PCS per diem depends on your orders and may vary — verify with your Finance Office.
HHG weight allowance — E-5 (SGT/PO2/SSgt)
JTR Table 5-37 · 2026
9,000 lbs
Before you move
Consider a partial PPM
mediumGovernment moves ship most items for free — but if you move any portion yourself, you receive additional PPM reimbursement. Even a small self-moved load can put money in your pocket.
Check your BAH at the gaining station
highYour housing allowance changes with every PCS. Look up the E-5 with/without dependents BAH rate at your new duty station ZIP code before making housing decisions.
Learn more →Buying at your new duty station instead of renting?
mediumVA loans require $0 down payment and no PMI — your BAH can cover the mortgage while you build equity instead of paying rent. See how VA loans work at VARefinance.com.
Learn more →Recalculate total compensation at new duty station
lowA new duty station changes your BAH, potentially your base pay (promotion timing), and your overall compensation picture. Run the full comparison before accepting off-post housing.
Learn more →What is DLA?
Dislocation Allowance (DLA) is a one-time payment intended to partially reimburse the cost of disruption that a PCS causes to your household. It is paid per move — not per mile — and varies by rank and dependency status.
DLA is not the same as your moving reimbursement. It covers the incidental costs of uprooting a household: utility hookups, lease break fees, initial supplies at a new location. Keep it separate in your mental accounting from HHG shipping costs.
MALT and the DTOD distance
MALT (Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation) reimburses you for driving your POV at a flat per-mile rate — $0.205/mile in 2026. The reimbursable distance is the official DTOD (Defense Table of Official Distances) route, not what your GPS shows.
DTOD distances are typically slightly different from Google Maps or Waze. Look up the official DTOD mileage at dtod.sddc.army.mil to get the exact number to use in your voucher.
PPM (Personally Procured Move)
A PPM move (formerly DITY — Do It Yourself) lets you move your own household goods and get reimbursed at the government's cost to do the same move commercially. The difference between the reimbursement and your actual costs is your profit.
PPM profit is taxable income. The calculator estimates after-tax profit at a ~22% federal effective rate — your actual tax will depend on your filing status and total income. Keep all receipts for the weight ticket, truck rental, fuel, and supplies.
TLE: Temporary Lodging Expense
TLE reimburses temporary lodging costs at your old or new duty station when your household goods have been shipped or haven't arrived yet. Maximum 14 days combined between both locations.
This calculator uses the standard CONUS per diem rate ($179/day) as a TLE estimate. Actual TLE is based on your documented lodging receipts and M&IE — you must submit receipts to your finance office to receive reimbursement.
Weight allowances
The weight allowance is the maximum household goods weight the government will ship or reimburse for a PPM move. Exceeding your allowance means paying out-of-pocket for the overage. The allowance increases significantly with rank.
Pro-gear (professional books, papers, equipment) may not count against your weight allowance — check with your TMO for details. Unaccompanied baggage and items in temporary storage may have separate limits.
Per diem travel days
Travel days for PCS per diem are calculated per JTR: 1 day for the first 400 miles, then 1 day per 350 miles thereafter (with a rounding rule for remainders). The first and last travel day are paid at 75% of the full daily rate.
Dependents traveling with you receive approximately 75% of the member's per diem rate (per JTR, for dependents age 12 and older). Younger dependents may receive a lower rate — verify the current JTR rules if this applies to your family.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates based on published 2026 DoD rates. Actual entitlements depend on your specific orders, authorized DTOD route, and Finance Office approval. DLA rates from DTMO (verify at travel.dod.mil). MALT rate: $0.205/mile. Per diem at standard CONUS rates. PPM reimbursement rates are approximate — actual rates vary by distance and origin/destination, and are calculated by your installation's Transportation Office (TMO). TLE estimate uses standard CONUS per diem; actual TLE requires documented lodging receipts. Always verify your specific entitlements with your TMO and Finance Office before making financial decisions about your move.
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