Key takeaways
- The standard FY 2027 per diem rate is $181 a day: $113 for lodging and $68 for meals and incidental expenses.
- The standard lodging rate rose $3 after a freeze in FY 2026; the M&IE rate did not change.
- 295 non-standard areas have higher rates, with lodging as high as $499 a night in Park City, Utah, in winter.
- The rates apply from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.
The General Services Administration sets the maximum amounts federal employees can be reimbursed for lodging, meals and incidental expenses on official travel in the continental US. Contractors, hotels and many state and local governments use the same rates.
The FY 2027 standard rate
| Component | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | $110 | $113 | +$3 |
| Meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) | $68 | $68 | None |
| Total standard rate | $178 | $181 | +$3 |
The standard rate applies anywhere in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia that GSA hasn't given its own rate. Alaska, Hawaii and US territories use rates set by the Defense Department, and foreign rates are set by the State Department.
M&IE tiers for FY 2027
Every location falls into one of five meals and incidental expense tiers. GSA last changed the tiers in FY 2025 and plans to review them for FY 2028.
| Daily M&IE | First and last travel day (75%) |
|---|---|
| $68 (standard) | $51.00 |
| $74 | $55.50 |
| $80 | $60.00 |
| $86 | $64.50 |
| $92 | $69.00 |
FY 2027 per diem rates in major cities
Lodging rates in many cities change with the season. The range shows the lowest and highest monthly lodging rate for FY 2027; check GSA's lookup for the rate in a specific month.
| # | City | Lodging (per night) | M&IE | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, D.C.Includes Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, Montgomery and Prince George's | $192–$295 | $92 | Highest from March through June and in September and October. |
| 2 | New York CityAll five boroughs | $189–$358 | $92 | Peaks at $358 in the fall. |
| 3 | Boston and Cambridge, Mass. | $213–$365 | $92 | Peaks at $365 in September and October. |
| 4 | San Francisco | $232–$325 | $92 | Highest January through March. |
| 5 | ChicagoCook and Lake counties | $148–$238 | $92 | Lowest in winter, highest in spring. |
| 6 | SeattleKing County | $188–$255 | $92 | Highest June through October. |
| 7 | Denver and Aurora, Colo. | $170–$227 | $92 | Highest April through October. |
| 8 | San Diego | $208–$249 | $86 | Highest in June and July. |
| 9 | Los AngelesLos Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties, except Santa Monica | $199 | $86 | Same rate all year. |
| 10 | AtlantaFulton and DeKalb counties | $188–$207 | $86 | Highest January through March. |
| 11 | Phoenix and Scottsdale, Ariz. | $122–$232 | $86 | Peaks in February and March; lowest in summer. |
| 12 | Austin, TexasTravis County | $184 | $80 | Same rate all year. |
Sources: GSA per diem rates (gsa.gov/perdiem and the GSA per diem API, FY 2027); GSA Per Diem Bulletin FTR 27-01 in the Federal Register, Sept. 10, 2026; GSA FY 2027 per diem highlights. The highest FY 2027 lodging rate is $499 a night in Park City, Utah, from December through March. Lodging rates exclude taxes.
How per diem works
- Lodging is a cap. Travelers are reimbursed actual lodging costs up to the rate; taxes are reimbursed separately.
- M&IE is a flat daily amount. It covers meals and incidentals such as tips, and drops to 75% on the first and last travel day.
- Rates follow the location, not the traveler's home. The rate is set by where the traveler stays overnight.
- Actual expense exceptions exist. The Federal Travel Regulation allows agencies to approve higher actual expenses when the rate isn't enough, such as during a major event.
- GSA sets lodging rates from hotel data. Rates are based on trailing average daily rates for mid-priced hotels, minus 5%.
What per diem means for government sellers
- Contractor travel. On cost-reimbursement federal contracts, travel costs are generally allowable only up to the per diem rates, so price travel accordingly.
- Events and training. Conference organizers and training providers often negotiate hotel blocks at or below per diem so government attendees can stay on site. See our public sector conferences list.
- Hospitality vendors. Hotels compete for government travelers by offering per diem rates, and some states require them for state travel.
- State and local travel. Many states, counties and cities adopt the GSA rates for their own employees, though some set their own.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities, including the meetings that make a trip worth taking. We line up agency meetings around conferences and site visits so your travel budget goes further. Book a call to plan your next trip.