Palm Springs Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Riverside · California · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Palm Springs is $86/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $141–$186/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in January and is lowest in May.
A 4-night business trip to Palm Springs in January totals $1,131: $744 lodging (4 nights) + $387 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Palm Springs lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Palm Springs. M&IE is flat at $86/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $186 | Peak |
| Feb | $186 | Peak |
| Mar | $186 | Peak |
| Apr | $186 | Peak |
| May | $141 | Low |
| Jun | $141 | Low |
| Jul | $141 | Low |
| Aug | $141 | Low |
| Sep | $141 | Low |
| Oct | $186 | Peak |
| Nov | $186 | Peak |
| Dec | $186 | Peak |
How does Palm Springs compare with other California per diem areas?
Palm Springs ranks #13 of 32 California non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $186/night — $5 above the state's $181/night NSA average.
Lodging in Palm Springs swings 32% across the year — from $141/night in May to $186/night in January — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $180 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $86/day regardless of season.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper California area is San Mateo / Foster City / Belmont at $183/night peak, and the next step up is Los Angeles at $191/night.
Book within the Palm Springs lodging cap
Otto finds hotels in Palm Springs at or under your $141–$186/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
Palm Springs per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Palm Springs?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Palm Springs, California is $86 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $141–$186/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 Palm Springs?
- $86 per day for FY2026: $22 breakfast, $23 lunch, $36 dinner and $5 incidentals. The first and last day of travel reimburse at 75%, or $64.50.
- Why does lodging per diem in Palm Springs change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In Palm Springs, lodging is highest in January at $186/night and lowest in May at $141/night. M&IE stays flat at $86/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Palm Springs?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Palm Springs the full daily cap is up to $272 (peak-month lodging + $86 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.