2023 Military CONUS COLA Rates Announced

The Department of Defense has announced the 2023 Continental United States (CONUS) Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) rates, with a mix of increases and decreases across the Military Housing Areas (MHAs) where members receive the allowance.

The monthly payments will disappear in all 20 counties that aren’t part of MHAs where members received them in 2022, as well as in three MHAs. Members in four MHAs will begin receiving the payments in 2023.

CONUS COLA is different from Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) COLA, because CONUS COLA is a taxable pay rather than a non-taxable allowance. Also unlike OCONUS COLA, it changes only once each year, rather than monthly, and is based on cost of living rather than fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies.

CONUS COLA is paid to military members stationed in high-cost areas in the U.S. The rate varies by geographic location, rank, years of service and dependency status.

Related: Frequently Asked Questions About CONUS COLA

CONUS COLA also differs from the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), because CONUS COLA factors in costs of living that are unrelated to housing costs. CONUS COLA can also be paid to service members living in base housing, in barracks or onboard ships.

2023 CONUS COLA Changes

In 2023, some recipients will see decreases and others increases to their payments for the upcoming year. Some will no longer receive the payments, while others will begin receiving them.

CONUS COLA base monthly payments range from $33 to $59 monthly for members with dependents and $22 to $45 monthly for those without dependents.

The following Military Housing Areas (MHAs), with their COLA percentages multipliers, are eligible for CONUS COLA in 2023.

CALIFORNIA

MASSACHUSETTS

Essex County – 1%
Hampden County – 1%
Martha’s Vineyard – 3%

MICHIGAN

NEW YORK

New York City – 8%
Staten Island – 1%

Check out DoD’s CONUS COLA calculator for details on your location.

Keep Up With Military Pay Updates

Military pay benefits are constantly changing. Make sure you’re up-to-date with everything you’ve earned. Subscribe to Military.com to receive updates on all of your military pay and benefits, delivered directly to your inbox.