Moving is expensive. Between rental cars, flights, U-Hauls, packing supplies, and the daily costs of meals and gas on the road, the bills add up quickly. Fortunately for service members, the military provides several entitlements to cover the core expenses of a PCS. However, because reimbursements rarely cover 100% of your costs, it is essential to know precisely what the government will pay for and where you’ll need to bridge the gap with your own budget.
Before diving into the specifics of what is covered, here is one essential tip: save every receipt related to your PCS. While the military provides several upfront entitlements, many out-of-pocket expenses can be reimbursed later—but only if you have the documentation to back them up.
Transportation & Per Diem Costs
One of the costliest parts of moving is transporting your belongings from your old home to your new one. In most cases, you’ll probably need to book flight or train tickets. Before you go ahead and purchase them yourself, check with your transportation office. Usually, your tickets are booked through the military’s travel system and paid for using a Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC). This means you won’t have to pay anything up front out of your personal bank account.
But what if you want to drive? If you’re moving a few states over and prefer to drive your own vehicle, you are entitled to MALT (Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation). This is a mileage reimbursement for the distance traveled between duty stations.
Additionally, the military provides a daily Per Diem for each authorized travel day. This flat daily rate is meant to cover your hotels, meals, and incidentals.
Mileage rates are updated annually and can be checked on the Defense Travel Management Office website. For example, in 2025, the standard reimbursement rate for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move is $0.21 per mile.
Note: Unlike flights, you usually pay for your own hotels and gas while driving and then receive the Per Diem and MALT money as a lump sum after you file your travel claim at your new base.
Moving Household Goods & Furniture
In addition to moving yourself, you’ll need to transport your belongings—most of which won’t fit in a checked bag. The military calls these items Household Goods (HHG). To get your furniture and boxes to your new home, you generally have three main options: have the military arrange movers, do it all yourself, or a partial mix of both.
Government-arranged move: If you choose this option, the military will hire a professional moving company to pack, load, deliver, and unload your belongings.
- Pros: This is the most stress-free option as the military pays the movers directly. You won’t have to worry about the logistics, heavy lifting, or coordinating truck rentals.
- Cons: You must stay within your authorized weight allowance (based on your rank and dependency status). If your belongings exceed this weight, you will be billed for the overage. You also have less control over the specific dates your items arrive.
Personally procured move (PPM): Doing the move entirely “DIY” style is more work, as you are in charge of arranging the truck, packing, and labor. However, this is a popular way to earn extra cash.
- Pros: The military pays you an incentive—typically 100% of what it would have cost the government to move you. If you manage your move for less than that amount, you get to pocket the difference as a profit.
- Cons: You are responsible for all the labor and logistics. You also bear the risk; if you break your own furniture during the move, it isn’t covered by government insurance, as it would be with professional movers.
A partial mix of both: A partial PPM allows the military to move your largest pieces (think furniture and heavy appliances), while you move smaller boxes, clothes, and valuables in your own vehicle.
- Pros: You save yourself the headache of heavy lifting, but still receive an allowance for the goods you move yourself. It ensures your essentials (and breakables) are with you on day one rather than waiting weeks for a moving truck.
- Cons: You won’t make as much profit as a full PPM. Additionally, you are still required to go through the administrative process of getting certified weight tickets (empty and full) for your vehicle to claim the payment.
Storage Options: Short-term vs. Long-Term
Sometimes your new home isn’t ready when you arrive, or you might be moving overseas and can’t take all of your belongings with you. The military offers two types of storage to help in these cases: Storage in Transit (SIT) and Non-Temporary Storage (NTS).
Storage in transit is a short-term solution for when you are waiting for your new home to become available at your destination. The military will typically cover up to 90 days of SIT, including the cost of moving your items into the warehouse and out to your residence.
Non-Temporary Storage (NTS) is a long-term option intended for the entire duration of an assignment, most commonly used for overseas moves. Unlike SIT, NTS facilities are generally not climate-controlled, so keep this in mind when packing your belongings. Additionally, remember that storage counts toward your total weight allowance; if your combined shipment and storage exceed your rank’s limit, you will be billed monthly for the overage.
Extra Costs You Need to Budget For
While the military covers a significant portion of your relocation, several out-of-pocket expenses depend on your personal needs and spending habits.
Some of the most common non-reimbursable costs include restocking your home with fresh groceries, perishables, and cleaning supplies that couldn’t be shipped. You may also need to budget for new decor like curtains, rugs, or hardware to fit your new layout. Additionally, be prepared to use upfront cash for security deposits and utility connection fees, as standard travel reimbursements do not always cover these.
Beyond the home, expenses for vehicles and pets frequently exceed government allowances. The military typically only ships one vehicle for overseas moves, leaving you to pay for the shipping or storage for any secondary cars. While pet relocation is now partially reimbursed, the final bill for specialized vet certificates, shipping crates, and boarding fees often exceeds the authorized cap.
Additionally, as your children transition to new schools or daycares, you may face a financial gap while waiting for a spot to open. Through a current pilot program, the military will reimburse certain travel costs for a designated childcare provider if a spot is unavailable at a Child Development Center (CDC) within 30 days of your arrival. However, you may still need to pay for temporary babysitting, new school uniforms, or extracurricular registration fees in the meantime.
Budgeting For Your Next Move
PCSing is a complex process, but understanding your entitlements is the best way to minimize stress and financial strain. By planning for out-of-pocket gaps and keeping organized records of every expense, you can ensure your transition to a new duty station is as smooth and affordable as possible.