Ohio Per Diem Rates, FY2027 (2026-27)
GSA sets 6 special per diem localities in Ohio 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 Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | Hamilton / Clermont | $170 | $86 | $1,792 |
| Cleveland Covers Cleveland, Parma | Cuyahoga | $167 | $80 | $1,729 |
| Columbus | Franklin | $138 | $80 | $1,526 |
| Dayton / Fairborn | Greene / Montgomery | $120 | $74 | $1,358 |
| Hamilton | Butler / Warren | $131 | $74 | $1,435 |
| Sandusky | Erie | $120–$174 | $68 | up to $1,694 |
| Standard rate | All other locations in Ohio | $113 | $68 | $1,267 |
What stands out in Ohio
- Highest ceiling: Cincinnati, up to $170 a night plus $86 M&IE ($1,792 a week at its peak).
- Lowest locality rate: Dayton / Fairborn, $120 a night in its lowest month.
- Seasonal localities: 1 of 6 change lodging by month.
- 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 diemFor 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 Ohio for 2026-27?
GSA sets per diem by locality, not by state. In Ohio, 6 localities have their own rates for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027), with lodging from $120 to $174 a night depending on place and month. Everywhere else in Ohio 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 Ohio?
On the first and last day of travel, M&IE is paid at 75% of the daily rate. For Ohio's rates that is $68 → $51.00, $74 → $55.50, $80 → $60.00, $86 → $64.50, per GSA's M&IE breakdown. Lodging is paid per night, so a trip has one fewer night than days.
When do Ohio per diem rates change?
Every October 1, when the new federal fiscal year starts. Within the year, 1 of Ohio's localities also change lodging rates by month, so check the month you travel, not just the headline rate.
How much can a travel nurse receive tax-free in Ohio?
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 Ohio that is $1,267 a week in standard-rate areas and up to $1,792 a week in Cincinnati at its peak month.
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