Arkansas Per Diem Rates, FY2027 (2026-27)
GSA sets 1 special per diem locality in Arkansas for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027). Everywhere else in the state uses the standard rate: $113 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals (M&IE).
Source: U.S. General Services Administration, FY2027 rates, read 2026-10-15. Rates exclude lodging taxes.
All Arkansas per diem localities
Lodging is per night and can change by month; M&IE is per full day. The weekly figure is (lodging + M&IE) × 7, the most a tax-free travel stipend can be for a full week there.
| Locality | County / area | Lodging / night | M&IE / day | Weekly max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs | Garland | $115 | $68 | $1,281 |
| Standard rate | All other locations in Arkansas | $113 | $68 | $1,267 |
What stands out in Arkansas
- Highest ceiling: Hot Springs, up to $115 a night plus $68 M&IE ($1,281 a week at its peak).
- Seasonal localities: none; every locality is flat all year.
- Standard rate: $113 lodging + $68 M&IE, $1,267 a week, for any place not listed above.
How to use these rates
Find the locality that contains your destination. GSA defines localities by county or city limits, so a suburb can fall inside a named locality, or outside it on the standard rate.
On the first and last day of travel, M&IE is 75% of the daily rate. Lodging is per night, before taxes.
Calculate a trip's per diemArkansas cities on the standard rate
These cities are not inside a GSA locality, so they use $113 lodging and $68 M&IE.
For travel nurses
An agency can pay housing and meal stipends tax-free only up to these rates, and only if you keep a qualifying tax home. Anything above the rate for your assignment location should be taxed as wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the per diem rate in Arkansas for 2026-27?
GSA sets per diem by locality, not by state. In Arkansas, 1 locality has their own rates for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027), with lodging from $115 to $115 a night depending on place and month. Everywhere else in Arkansas uses the CONUS standard rate: $113 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals (M&IE).
How much is per diem for the first and last day of travel in Arkansas?
On the first and last day of travel, M&IE is paid at 75% of the daily rate. For Arkansas's rates that is $68 → $51.00, per GSA's M&IE breakdown. Lodging is paid per night, so a trip has one fewer night than days.
When do Arkansas per diem rates change?
Every October 1, when the new federal fiscal year starts. None of Arkansas's localities change rates by month in FY2027.
How much can a travel nurse receive tax-free in Arkansas?
For a traveler with a qualifying tax home, tax-free housing and meal stipends are capped at the GSA rate for the assignment location: (lodging + M&IE) × 7 a week. In Arkansas that is $1,267 a week in standard-rate areas and up to $1,281 a week in Hot Springs at its peak month.
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