Tennessee Per Diem Rates, FY2027 (2026-27)
GSA sets 5 special per diem localities in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood / Franklin | Williamson | $135 | $86 | $1,547 |
| Chattanooga | Hamilton | $120 | $74 | $1,358 |
| Knoxville | Knox | $129 | $74 | $1,421 |
| Memphis | Shelby | $135 | $74 | $1,463 |
| Nashville | Davidson | $230 | $86 | $2,212 |
| Standard rate | All other locations in Tennessee | $113 | $68 | $1,267 |
What stands out in Tennessee
- Highest ceiling: Nashville, up to $230 a night plus $86 M&IE ($2,212 a week at its peak).
- Lowest locality rate: Chattanooga, $120 a night in its lowest month.
- 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 diemTennessee 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.
Per diem in neighboring states
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the per diem rate in Tennessee for 2026-27?
GSA sets per diem by locality, not by state. In Tennessee, 5 localities have their own rates for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027), with lodging from $120 to $230 a night depending on place and month. Everywhere else in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
On the first and last day of travel, M&IE is paid at 75% of the daily rate. For Tennessee's rates that is $68 → $51.00, $74 → $55.50, $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 Tennessee per diem rates change?
Every October 1, when the new federal fiscal year starts. None of Tennessee's localities change rates by month in FY2027.
How much can a travel nurse receive tax-free in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee that is $1,267 a week in standard-rate areas and up to $2,212 a week in Nashville at its peak month.
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