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Spouses/Duffle Bag/PCS Housing Calculator
Life Admin & PCS

PCS Housing Calculator

Compare BAH at your current and next duty station. Calculate move-in costs, monthly bills, and whether renting or buying makes sense.

Factors in DLA, TLA/TLE, BAH differential, and the reality that you might PCS again in 2-3 years.

Current Station

$800$4,000

New Station

$800$4,000

Approx. $2,200 for most ranks in 2026

Moving Method

Move-In Day Total

First Month Rent

$1,800

Security Deposit

$1,800

Moving Costs

$3,000

DLA Offset

-$2,200

Total Out-of-Pocket on Move-In Day

$4,400

Monthly Comparison

Current Station

BAH
$1,800
Rent
$1,600
Surplus+$200/mo

New Station

BAH
$2,100
Rent
$1,800
Surplus+$300/mo

You'll pocket $300/month in BAH surplus at your new station.

That's $3,600/year you can save or invest.

First-year cost (current station)$19,200
First-year cost (new station, incl. move-in)$24,200
Difference+$5,000
DLA (Dislocation Allowance) is a one-time payment to offset PCS costs. For 2026, it's approximately $2,200 for most ranks. TLA/TLE covers temporary lodging for up to 10 days.

VTS Duffle Bag tools are for informational purposes only. All calculations run in your browser — no data is collected or stored. Verify amounts with official sources before making financial decisions.

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