Cloud computing has garnered the attention of the Department of Defense as data and computer processing needs grow and budgets shrink. Programs are interested in the potential of cloud computing to control growing data management costs, but reliable literature on the costs of cloud computing in the government is still limited. Researchers found that cloud provider costs can vary in value compared with traditional information system alternatives because of cost structure variations, and analyzed the cost drivers for several data management approaches for one acquisition program to develop structured cost considerations for analysts evaluating new cloud investments. These considerations can help analysts be comprehensive in their analysis until the DoD develops official guidance on cloud computing cost analysis.