What is the COLA index at Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson?

The OCONUS COLA index at Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson is 128, meaning everyday goods and services cost approximately 28% more than the U.S. average. COLA is a tax-free allowance that offsets this difference. Source: DTMO, January 2026.

Is military pay at Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson taxable?

The planner treats Basic Pay as taxable and BAH, OCONUS COLA, and BAS as non-taxable allowances. It does not estimate a tax-free percentage when a required allowance is unavailable.

What currency is used at Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson?

Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson is in Alaska, which uses the US Dollar (USD). The approximate exchange rate is 1 USD = 1 USD. OHA and COLA are paid in USD but fluctuate with the exchange rate.

Housing allowance availability reviewed September 17, 2026

Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson Overseas Pay & BAH Information

Alaska

Air Force / Army

COLA Index: 128

BAH

Available military pay components for Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson, Alaska. Housing uses BAH. Missing allowances make compensation totals unavailable.

Overseas Station Planner

Review pay, allowances, housing, and cost of living. Totals are unavailable when a required allowance is missing.

Select Your Duty Station

Duty Station

Your Profile

Pay Grade

Years of Service: 4

Number of Dependents: 0

Used for housing allowance dependency status and OCONUS COLA. Dependency status differs from whether family accompanies you.

Housing Situation

Off-base housing uses BAH in Alaska and Hawaii, and OHA elsewhere. Eligibility and the applicable rate require verification.

Select a duty station above

Available Basic Pay, housing allowance, COLA, and BAS information will appear here.

Data availability: Unverified OHA figures have been withdrawn. Missing allowances are not treated as zero. Alaska and Hawaii use BAH. Available components remain estimates. COLA indices are from January 2026. Basic pay reflects 2026 DFAS tables. Verify current rates with your finance office or at travel.dod.mil.

About this tool: The Overseas Station Planner combines data from DFAS basic pay, housing allowance availability, OCONUS COLA, and exchange-rate context. Confirm current entitlements with your finance office.

Data Sources

OHA lookup (rates unavailable here): DTMO. OCONUS COLA: DTMO. Basic Pay: DFAS 2026. BAS: DFAS. All allowances are estimates and vary by family size and location.

Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson BAH

Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson uses Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Alaska and Hawaii are BAH locations. See the installation BAH page for rates by exact pay grade and dependency status.

View Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson BAH rates

Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson OCONUS COLA : Cost of Living

COLA Index

128

Cost Above US Baseline

+28%

Index Effective Date

November 16, 2025

OCONUS COLA is a non-taxable allowance that offsets higher overseas living costs. Your actual COLA amount depends on pay grade, years of service, and number of dependents. Source: DTMO, January 2026. Index updated multiple times per year.

Additional Allowances & Data Sources

BAS (Enlisted)	$453/mo : tax-free. Source: DFAS, effective Jan 1, 2026.
BAS (Officer)	$312/mo : tax-free. Source: DFAS, effective Jan 1, 2026.
Basic Pay	DFAS 2026 pay tables (3.8% increase). Varies by grade and years of service.
BAH	Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson uses Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Alaska and Hawaii are BAH locations. See the installation BAH page for rates by exact pay grade and dependency status.
COLA Index	DTMO, January 2026. Updated multiple times per year based on local costs and exchange rates.

Last reviewed: September 17, 2026. Verify at travel.dod.mil and dfas.mil.

Understanding Your Pay at Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson

Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson uses Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Alaska and Hawaii are BAH locations. See the installation BAH page for rates by exact pay grade and dependency status. You may also receive OCONUS COLA to help cover higher living costs.

How Housing Allowances Work

The biggest difference: BAH is a fixed monthly amount you keep regardless of your actual rent. OHA only reimburses what you actually pay, up to the rental ceiling. If your rent is below the OHA ceiling, you receive less than the maximum. If it exceeds the ceiling, you pay the difference out of pocket. OHA rates also fluctuate with the US Dollar exchange rate.

Tax Advantages at Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson

The planner treats Basic Pay as taxable and BAH, OCONUS COLA, and BAS as non-taxable. A tax-free percentage and civilian salary comparison require every allowance component.

About Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson

Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, commonly referred to as JBER, is a United States military facility located in Anchorage, Alaska. It is a joint base formed from the merger of the United States Air Force's Elmendorf Air Force Base and the United States Army's Fort Richardson, which occurred in 2010. The installation hosts the headquarters for the United States Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, 11th Airborne Division, and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. Read on to find out how to transition into your new home at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson.

Location of Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson

Elmendorf AFB

The main gate and visitor center for Elmendorf AFB is the Boniface Gate Visitor Control Center located at:

Read the full Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson guide →

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