GSA Rate Explorer 2026
Search, filter, and sort FY2026 GSA per diem rates for 220 travel nurse markets — with the monthly housing allowance math and the stipend margin against real local rent.
218 of 220 cities currently have a stipend surplus — the GSA allowance beats local 1BR rent.
How the numbers here are checked
Tax figures are computed from published IRS and SSA sources and per diem from GSA, each carrying a citation and a retrieval date; our build fails if any loses one. Pay, rent and cost-of-living figures are our own editorial estimates. This page has not been reviewed by a licensed professional — see our methodology, and consult a CPA about your own situation.
220 of 220 cities · click a column to sort
| City | Lodging/night ▼ | M&IE/day | Housing Allowance/mo | 1BR Rent/mo | Stipend Margin/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $365 | $92 | $11,096 | $2,400 | +$8,696 |
| New York, NY | $358 | $92 | $10,883 | $3,000 | +$7,883 |
| Bozeman, MT | $326 | $80 | $9,910 | $1,300 | +$8,610 |
| San Francisco, CA | $325 | $92 | $9,880 | $3,200 | +$6,680 |
| Alexandria, VA | $295 | $92 | $8,968 | $1,800 | +$7,168 |
| Charleston, SC | $288 | $92 | $8,755 | $1,300 | +$7,455 |
| Seattle, WA | $255 | $92 | $7,752 | $2,100 | +$5,652 |
| San Diego, CA | $249 | $86 | $7,570 | $2,200 | +$5,370 |
| Hialeah, FL | $244 | $92 | $7,418 | $1,800 | +$5,618 |
| Miami, FL | $244 | $92 | $7,418 | $1,800 | +$5,618 |
| Chicago, IL | $238 | $92 | $7,235 | $1,700 | +$5,535 |
| Elgin, IL | $238 | $92 | $7,235 | $1,150 | +$6,085 |
| Chandler, AZ | $232 | $86 | $7,053 | $1,300 | +$5,753 |
| Glendale, AZ | $232 | $86 | $7,053 | $1,200 | +$5,853 |
| Mesa, AZ | $232 | $86 | $7,053 | $1,300 | +$5,753 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $232 | $86 | $7,053 | $1,400 | +$5,653 |
| Scottsdale, AZ | $232 | $86 | $7,053 | $1,700 | +$5,353 |
| Nashville, TN | $230 | $86 | $6,992 | $1,400 | +$5,592 |
| Aurora, CO | $227 | $92 | $6,901 | $1,400 | +$5,501 |
| Denver, CO | $227 | $92 | $6,901 | $1,700 | +$5,201 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $227 | $92 | $6,901 | $1,500 | +$5,401 |
| Hilton Head, SC | $226 | $80 | $6,870 | $1,400 | +$5,470 |
| Duluth, MN | $220 | $86 | $6,688 | $1,000 | +$5,688 |
| San Jose, CA | $218 | $92 | $6,627 | $2,600 | +$4,027 |
| Portland, ME | $216 | $80 | $6,566 | $1,300 | +$5,266 |
| Burlington, VT | $214 | $86 | $6,506 | $1,300 | +$5,206 |
| Cape Coral, FL | $213 | $80 | $6,475 | $1,300 | +$5,175 |
| St. Petersburg, FL | $212 | $80 | $6,445 | $1,300 | +$5,145 |
| Tampa, FL | $212 | $80 | $6,445 | $1,400 | +$5,045 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $212 | $74 | $6,445 | $1,300 | +$5,145 |
| Tucson, AZ | $208 | $80 | $6,323 | $1,100 | +$5,223 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $208 | $80 | $6,323 | $1,100 | +$5,223 |
| Atlanta, GA | $207 | $86 | $6,293 | $1,400 | +$4,893 |
| Eugene, OR | $202 | $80 | $6,141 | $1,200 | +$4,941 |
| Meridian, ID | $201 | $86 | $6,110 | $1,000 | +$5,110 |
| Anaheim, CA | $199 | $86 | $6,050 | $2,100 | +$3,950 |
| Long Beach, CA | $199 | $86 | $6,050 | $1,900 | +$4,150 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $199 | $86 | $6,050 | $2,450 | +$3,600 |
| Santa Ana, CA | $199 | $86 | $6,050 | $2,000 | +$4,050 |
| Missoula, MT | $199 | $74 | $6,050 | $1,200 | +$4,850 |
| Bend, OR | $195 | $86 | $5,928 | $1,400 | +$4,528 |
| Arlington, TX | $192 | $80 | $5,837 | $1,300 | +$4,537 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $192 | $80 | $5,837 | $1,200 | +$4,637 |
| Durango, CO | $190 | $80 | $5,776 | $1,300 | +$4,476 |
| Pensacola, FL | $188 | $74 | $5,715 | $1,000 | +$4,715 |
| New Orleans, LA | $188 | $80 | $5,715 | $1,300 | +$4,415 |
| Savannah, GA | $186 | $80 | $5,654 | $1,100 | +$4,554 |
| Portsmouth, NH | $186 | $74 | $5,654 | $1,500 | +$4,154 |
| Louisville, KY | $185 | $80 | $5,624 | $1,100 | +$4,524 |
| Austin, TX | $184 | $80 | $5,594 | $1,500 | +$4,094 |
| Dallas, TX | $184 | $80 | $5,594 | $1,400 | +$4,194 |
| Garland, TX | $184 | $80 | $5,594 | $1,150 | +$4,444 |
| Irving, TX | $184 | $80 | $5,594 | $1,200 | +$4,394 |
| Reno, NV | $183 | $80 | $5,563 | $1,200 | +$4,363 |
| Orlando, FL | $178 | $80 | $5,411 | $1,300 | +$4,111 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $176 | $86 | $5,350 | $1,200 | +$4,150 |
| Jersey City, NJ | $175 | $86 | $5,320 | $1,000 | +$4,320 |
| Newark, NJ | $175 | $86 | $5,320 | $1,000 | +$4,320 |
| Paterson, NJ | $175 | $86 | $5,320 | $1,000 | +$4,320 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $173 | $86 | $5,259 | $1,300 | +$3,959 |
| Rapid City, SD | $173 | $74 | $5,259 | $1,000 | +$4,259 |
| Wilmington, NC | $170 | $74 | $5,168 | $1,200 | +$3,968 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $170 | $86 | $5,168 | $1,000 | +$4,168 |
| Yonkers, NY | $168 | $92 | $5,107 | $1,900 | +$3,207 |
| Cleveland, OH | $167 | $80 | $5,077 | $1,100 | +$3,977 |
| Parma, OH | $167 | $80 | $5,077 | $900 | +$4,177 |
| Baltimore, MD | $166 | $86 | $5,046 | $1,500 | +$3,546 |
| Portland, OR | $161 | $86 | $4,894 | $1,700 | +$3,194 |
| Providence, RI | $161 | $80 | $4,894 | $1,000 | +$3,894 |
| Richmond, VA | $161 | $80 | $4,894 | $1,200 | +$3,694 |
| Detroit, MI | $160 | $74 | $4,864 | $1,100 | +$3,764 |
| Brownsville, TX | $160 | $74 | $4,864 | $900 | +$3,964 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $157 | $80 | $4,773 | $1,300 | +$3,473 |
| Muskegon, MI | $157 | $68 | $4,773 | $1,000 | +$3,773 |
| Sacramento, CA | $156 | $86 | $4,742 | $1,500 | +$3,242 |
| St. Louis, MO | $156 | $86 | $4,742 | $950 | +$3,792 |
| Athens, GA | $154 | $74 | $4,682 | $1,000 | +$3,682 |
| Bloomington, IN | $154 | $74 | $4,682 | $1,000 | +$3,682 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $153 | $92 | $4,651 | $1,400 | +$3,251 |
| Chapel Hill, NC | $153 | $80 | $4,651 | $1,300 | +$3,351 |
| Oakland, CA | $152 | $92 | $4,621 | $2,400 | +$2,221 |
| San Antonio, TX | $149 | $74 | $4,530 | $1,100 | +$3,430 |
| Huntsville, AL | $146 | $74 | $4,438 | $1,000 | +$3,438 |
| Asheville, NC | $145 | $80 | $4,408 | $1,300 | +$3,108 |
| Buffalo, NY | $144 | $80 | $4,378 | $950 | +$3,428 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $144 | $80 | $4,378 | $1,000 | +$3,378 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $144 | $80 | $4,378 | $1,200 | +$3,178 |
| Charlotte, NC | $143 | $80 | $4,347 | $1,400 | +$2,947 |
| Tacoma, WA | $143 | $86 | $4,347 | $1,400 | +$2,947 |
| Raleigh, NC | $142 | $74 | $4,317 | $1,300 | +$3,017 |
| Worcester, MA | $140 | $80 | $4,256 | $1,300 | +$2,956 |
| Rochester, MN | $139 | $80 | $4,226 | $1,000 | +$3,226 |
| Kansas City, MO | $139 | $80 | $4,226 | $1,100 | +$3,126 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $138 | $80 | $4,195 | $1,000 | +$3,195 |
| Columbus, OH | $138 | $80 | $4,195 | $1,100 | +$3,095 |
| Madison, WI | $138 | $80 | $4,195 | $1,200 | +$2,995 |
| Fresno, CA | $136 | $86 | $4,134 | $1,300 | +$2,834 |
| Manchester, NH | $136 | $74 | $4,134 | $1,000 | +$3,134 |
| Nashua, NH | $136 | $74 | $4,134 | $1,000 | +$3,134 |
| Rochester, NY | $136 | $80 | $4,134 | $1,000 | +$3,134 |
| Syracuse, NY | $136 | $80 | $4,134 | $950 | +$3,184 |
| Odessa, TX | $136 | $74 | $4,134 | $900 | +$3,234 |
| Memphis, TN | $135 | $74 | $4,104 | $1,000 | +$3,104 |
| Albany, NY | $133 | $86 | $4,043 | $1,150 | +$2,893 |
| Houston, TX | $133 | $80 | $4,043 | $1,300 | +$2,743 |
| Lafayette, IN | $132 | $74 | $4,013 | $950 | +$3,063 |
| Augusta, GA | $131 | $74 | $3,982 | $950 | +$3,032 |
| Springfield, MA | $131 | $74 | $3,982 | $1,200 | +$2,782 |
| Greensboro, NC | $130 | $74 | $3,952 | $1,000 | +$2,952 |
| Orem, UT | $130 | $74 | $3,952 | $1,000 | +$2,952 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $129 | $68 | $3,922 | $900 | +$3,022 |
| Knoxville, TN | $129 | $74 | $3,922 | $1,000 | +$2,922 |
| Omaha, NE | $128 | $80 | $3,891 | $1,000 | +$2,891 |
| Wilmington, DE | $127 | $74 | $3,861 | $1,000 | +$2,861 |
| Brockton, MA | $127 | $80 | $3,861 | $1,000 | +$2,861 |
| New Bedford, MA | $127 | $80 | $3,861 | $1,000 | +$2,861 |
| Mobile, AL | $126 | $74 | $3,830 | $900 | +$2,930 |
| Spokane, WA | $126 | $86 | $3,830 | $1,100 | +$2,730 |
| Lexington, KY | $125 | $80 | $3,800 | $1,000 | +$2,800 |
| Roanoke, VA | $125 | $74 | $3,800 | $1,000 | +$2,800 |
| Durham, NC | $124 | $74 | $3,770 | $1,300 | +$2,470 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $124 | $68 | $3,770 | $1,000 | +$2,770 |
| Reading, PA | $122 | $74 | $3,709 | $1,000 | +$2,709 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $121 | $80 | $3,678 | $950 | +$2,728 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $120 | $80 | $3,648 | $1,000 | +$2,648 |
| Dayton, OH | $120 | $74 | $3,648 | $850 | +$2,798 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $120 | $74 | $3,648 | $950 | +$2,698 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $115 | $68 | $3,496 | $1,000 | +$2,496 |
| Auburn, AL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Decatur, AL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Dothan, AL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Fort Smith, AR | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,150 | +$2,285 |
| Greeley, CO | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Pueblo, CO | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Dover, DE | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,300 | +$2,135 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,200 | +$2,235 |
| Rome, GA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Valdosta, GA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Council Bluffs, IA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Iowa City, IA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,150 | +$2,285 |
| Waterloo, IA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Bloomington, IL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Champaign, IL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Normal, IL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Rockford, IL | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $850 | +$2,585 |
| Evansville, IN | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $850 | +$2,585 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $850 | +$2,585 |
| Muncie, IN | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Lawrence, KS | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Topeka, KS | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Wichita, KS | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $900 | +$2,535 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $900 | +$2,535 |
| Owensboro, KY | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,100 | +$2,335 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Monroe, LA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Frederick, MD | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Hagerstown, MD | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Bangor, ME | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Lewiston, ME | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Lansing, MI | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $950 | +$2,485 |
| Saginaw, MI | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Sterling Heights, MI | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Mankato, MN | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Joplin, MO | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Springfield, MO | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $850 | +$2,585 |
| Gulfport, MS | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Billings, MT | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Great Falls, MT | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Concord, NC | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Greenville, NC | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $950 | +$2,485 |
| Fargo, ND | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Grand Forks, ND | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Grand Island, NE | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Kearney, NE | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Lincoln, NE | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Rio Rancho, NM | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Akron, OH | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $850 | +$2,585 |
| Toledo, OH | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $800 | +$2,635 |
| Broken Arrow, OK | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Norman, OK | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Tulsa, OK | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $950 | +$2,485 |
| Medford, OR | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,200 | +$2,235 |
| Allentown, PA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,100 | +$2,335 |
| Scranton, PA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $850 | +$2,585 |
| Warwick, RI | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Greenville, SC | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Rock Hill, SC | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Murfreesboro, TN | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Abilene, TX | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Amarillo, TX | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $900 | +$2,535 |
| El Paso, TX | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $950 | +$2,485 |
| Laredo, TX | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $850 | +$2,585 |
| Lubbock, TX | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $850 | +$2,585 |
| St. George, UT | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Newport News, VA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,150 | +$2,285 |
| Norfolk, VA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,150 | +$2,285 |
| Rutland, VT | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Bellingham, WA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Yakima, WA | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Appleton, WI | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| La Crosse, WI | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Huntington, WV | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Morgantown, WV | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Casper, WY | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Cheyenne, WY | $113 | $68 | $3,435 | $1,000 | +$2,435 |
| Anchorage, AK | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,500 | −$1,500 |
| Honolulu, HI | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,100 | −$2,100 |
Housing allowance = nightly GSA lodging rate × 30.4. Stipend margin = housing allowance − average local one-bedroom rent. FY2026 rates, effective through September 30, 2026.
How to Read GSA Rates as a Travel Nurse
The GSA sets two numbers per locality: a nightly lodging rate and a daily meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) rate. Together they define the ceiling for the tax-free portion of your pay package. The highest-lodging market we track is currently Boston, MA at $365/night — but a high GSA rate only helps if local rent doesn't consume it, which is why the stipend margin column matters more than the raw rate.
- • Stipend at the ceiling? Compare your offer's housing stipend to the monthly allowance here. Below the ceiling = negotiating headroom.
- • Positive margin? Booking housing below the allowance means tax-free money in your pocket every month.
- • Contract crossing October 1? GSA rates reset each fiscal year — confirm which year's rate your stipend keys off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are GSA per diem rates and why do they matter for travel nurses?
GSA per diem rates are the federal government's maximum daily reimbursement rates for lodging and meals & incidentals (M&IE), set per locality each fiscal year. Agencies use them as the ceiling for tax-free housing and meal stipends. If your stipend is at the GSA maximum for your assignment ZIP code, it can't legally go higher tax-free — if it's below the max, that gap is negotiating room.
How do I convert the GSA nightly lodging rate to a monthly housing stipend?
Multiply the nightly rate by the average days per month (30.4). A $150/night GSA lodging rate supports up to roughly $4,560/month in tax-free housing reimbursement. Most agencies quote weekly stipends: multiply nightly by 7 for the weekly ceiling.
What is a stipend margin and how do I use it to pick assignments?
Stipend margin is the difference between the monthly GSA housing allowance and the actual local rent for a one-bedroom. A positive margin means the maximum stipend more than covers rent — you pocket the difference tax-free. A negative margin means rent outruns the allowance and eats into your hourly pay. Two contracts with identical weekly rates can differ by over $1,000/month in real income because of the margin.
When do GSA rates change?
GSA publishes new per diem rates each fiscal year, effective October 1. FY2026 rates apply from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. If your contract crosses October 1, ask your agency whether the stipend re-papers at the new fiscal year rate or stays locked at signing.
Can my agency pay a stipend above the GSA rate?
Yes, but the excess is generally treated as taxable income rather than a tax-free reimbursement. Agencies rarely offer above-GSA stipends for that reason. If an offer's stipend is above the GSA maximum for the ZIP code, that's a red flag worth asking your tax preparer about — stipend audits look exactly for this.