Military Move Calculator

Moving as part of military service can be complicated—but budgeting for it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re facing a PCS (Permanent Change of Station), TDY (Temporary Duty), or ETS (End of Term of Service), understanding your expected costs and reimbursements is critical for financial planning. That’s where the Military Move Calculator comes in.

This intuitive tool is designed to help service members calculate the cost of a military move, estimate reimbursement amounts, and assess out-of-pocket expenses—all based on rank, dependents, weight, and distance of the move.

How to Use the Military Move Calculator: Step-by-Step

Here’s how to make the most of the Military Move Calculator:

1. Choose Your Move Type

Select the appropriate move type from:

• PCS (Permanent Change of Station)
• TDY (Temporary Duty)
• ETS (End of Term of Service)

2. Select Your Rank

Pick your current military rank range:

• E1-E4
• E5-E6
• E7-E9
• O1-O3
• O4-O6

3. Specify Dependents

Indicate whether you’re moving with or without dependents, as this impacts your Dislocation Allowance (DLA).

4. Enter Weight and Distance

• Weight to Move: Input how much weight (in pounds) you’re transporting (between 500–20,000 lbs).
• Distance (miles): Enter how far you’re moving (up to 5,000 miles).

5. Estimated Cost Per Pound

Insert your estimated moving cost per pound (this can vary by location and vendor).

6. Advance DLA Received

Input any DLA you’ve already received in advance (optional but helpful for net cost projection).

7. Click “Calculate”

Press the Calculate button to process your inputs. A loading bar will appear while the system calculates.

8. Review Your Results

The calculator will return a detailed breakdown including:

• Estimated Move Cost
• DLA Estimate
• PPM (DITY) Incentive
• Total Reimbursement Estimate
• Out-of-Pocket Cost
• Advance DLA Received

You’ll also see options to copy or share your results.

Example: A Realistic Use Case

Scenario:

• Move Type: PCS
• Rank: E5
• Dependents: Yes
• Weight: 5,000 lbs
• Distance: 1,200 miles
• Cost per Pound: $1.20
• Advance DLA: $1,000

Estimated Results:

• Estimated Move Cost: $6,000
• DLA Estimate: $2,500
• PPM Incentive: $5,700
• Total Reimbursement: $8,200
• Out-of-Pocket: $0
• Advance DLA: $1,000

In this case, the service member would receive a reimbursement that exceeds their move costs, resulting in no out-of-pocket expenses.

Key Benefits and Features

✅ Accurate Financial Planning

Estimate how much you’ll be reimbursed and how much, if anything, you’ll owe out-of-pocket.

✅ Tailored to Your Rank and Status

Built-in rate tables use rank and dependent status to provide realistic DLA estimates.

✅ PPM (DITY) Incentive Estimation

Understand how much you’ll earn by moving your household goods yourself under the Personally Procured Move (PPM) program.

✅ Easy-to-Use Interface

Clear inputs, responsive calculations, and user-friendly results display make this tool perfect for on-the-go use.

✅ Share and Copy Results

Export estimates quickly for record-keeping or consultation with your finance office.

Common Use Cases

• Budgeting for an upcoming PCS move
• Estimating how much you’ll earn through a DITY (PPM) move
• Comparing move options based on cost-effectiveness
• Providing backup documentation for household budgeting or loans
• Preparing for separation or retirement

Tips for Best Results

• Contact your base’s Finance Office to confirm official rates.
• Use average local moving costs for more accurate “Cost per Pound” input.
• Update the tool as move details change (e.g., weight, route, or cost).
• Save or print the results to review later or share with your command.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a military move calculator?

It’s a tool designed to estimate the cost and reimbursement of military-related moves, such as PCS, TDY, or ETS.

2. Who should use this tool?

Active duty service members, reservists, or those planning a separation or retirement move.

3. What does DLA mean?

Dislocation Allowance (DLA) helps offset the costs of moving when relocating your household.

4. What is a PPM or DITY move?

Personally Procured Moves (DITY) allow service members to handle their own move and get reimbursed.

5. How accurate are the DLA values?

The calculator uses estimated 2025 DLA rates. Actual values may vary slightly.

6. How is the PPM incentive calculated?

It’s roughly 95% of what it would cost the government to move your belongings.

7. Do I have to input the Advance DLA?

No, but including it will give you a clearer out-of-pocket projection.

8. Can I use this tool for international moves?

While designed for CONUS moves, you can input any mileage and weight estimates to calculate a baseline.

9. Does this calculator guarantee reimbursement?

No. It’s an estimator. Final reimbursement depends on official DoD rates and actual receipts.

10. Is the calculator mobile-friendly?

Yes, it’s designed for mobile and desktop devices.

11. Can I share my results with others?

Yes! Use the “Share” or “Copy” buttons to export your results.

12. What’s the best way to estimate cost per pound?

Contact local movers or use online national averages ($1.00–$1.50/lb is common).

13. What if I don’t know my move weight yet?

Use an estimate based on your housing size:

• 1-bedroom: ~3,000 lbs
• 2-bedroom: ~5,000 lbs
• 3-bedroom: ~7,500 lbs

14. Will the calculator show how much I can profit from a PPM?

Yes. If your reimbursement exceeds your costs, it reflects your savings.

15. Is this calculator secure?

Yes. It does not collect or transmit your personal data.

16. Do I need a login to use the tool?

No account is required. It’s completely free and open.

17. What happens when I reset the calculator?

All fields will clear and the page will reload.

18. Can I use this for back-to-back PCS moves?

Yes. Just update the input fields for each move.

19. Is the incentive amount taxable?

PPM incentives are generally considered taxable income—consult your finance office.

20. What’s the benefit of using this over other tools?

It’s simple, accurate, rank-adjusted, and tailored specifically for military personnel.

Final Thoughts

The Military Move Calculator is more than just a budgeting tool—it’s a practical solution for planning and peace of mind. By offering clear insights into DLA, PPM incentives, and estimated costs, it empowers service members to make smart, informed decisions about their relocations.

Start using the calculator today to take control of your next move with confidence.