Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Marin · California · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato is $92/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $153–$175/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in June and is lowest in January.
A 4-night business trip to Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato in June totals $1,114: $700 lodging (4 nights) + $414 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato. M&IE is flat at $92/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $153 | Low |
| Feb | $153 | Low |
| Mar | $153 | Low |
| Apr | $153 | Low |
| May | $153 | Low |
| Jun | $175 | Peak |
| Jul | $175 | Peak |
| Aug | $175 | Peak |
| Sep | $175 | Peak |
| Oct | $153 | Low |
| Nov | $153 | Low |
| Dec | $153 | Low |
How does Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato compare with other California per diem areas?
Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato ranks #16 of 32 California non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $175/night — $6 below the state's $181/night NSA average.
Lodging in Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato swings 14% across the year — from $153/night in January to $175/night in June — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $88 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $92/day regardless of season.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper California area is Truckee at $173/night peak, and the next step up is Santa Cruz at $176/night.
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Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato, California is $92 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $153–$175/night for lodging depending on the month. The standard CONUS rate, for comparison, is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
- What is the meal reimbursement (M&IE) rate in Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato?
- $92 per day for FY2026: $23 breakfast, $26 lunch, $38 dinner and $5 incidentals. The first and last day of travel reimburse at 75%, or $69.
- Why does lodging per diem in Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato, lodging is highest in June at $175/night and lowest in January at $153/night. M&IE stays flat at $92/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato the full daily cap is up to $267 (peak-month lodging + $92 M&IE). The portion above the GSA rate is taxable wages, and the stipend is only tax-free at all if you maintain a qualifying tax home.