San Diego Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
San Diego · California · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for San Diego is $86/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $199–$237/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.
M&IE / day
$86
Flat all year
Lodging low
$199
January
Lodging peak
$237
June
Full daily (peak)
$323
Lodging + M&IE
Example trip
A 4-night business trip to San Diego in June totals $1,335 — $948 lodging (4 nights) + $387 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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San Diego lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for San Diego. M&IE is flat at $86/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $199 | Low |
| Feb | $199 | Low |
| Mar | $199 | Low |
| Apr | $199 | Low |
| May | $199 | Low |
| Jun | $237 | Peak |
| Jul | $237 | Peak |
| Aug | $199 | Low |
| Sep | $199 | Low |
| Oct | $199 | Low |
| Nov | $199 | Low |
| Dec | $199 | Low |
San Diego per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for San Diego?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for San Diego, California is $86 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $199–$237/night for lodging depending on the month. The standard CONUS rate, for comparison, is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
- Why does lodging per diem in San Diego change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In San Diego, lodging is highest in June at $237/night and lowest in January at $199/night. M&IE stays flat at $86/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in San Diego?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In San Diego the full daily cap is up to $323 (peak-month lodging + $86 M&IE). A stipend at or below the GSA rate is tax-free; anything above is taxable wages.
Other California per diem areas
Antioch / Brentwood / ConcordBakersfield / RidgecrestBarstow / Ontario / VictorvilleDeath ValleyEureka / Arcata / McKinleyvilleFresnoLos AngelesMammoth LakesMill Valley / San Rafael / NovatoMontereyNapaOakhurstOaklandPalm SpringsPoint Arena / GualalaSacramentoSan FranciscoSan Luis ObispoSan Mateo / Foster City / BelmontSanta BarbaraSanta CruzSanta Monica Santa RosaSouth Lake TahoeStandard RateStockton Sunnyvale / Palo Alto / San JoseTahoe CityTruckeeVisaliaWest Sacramento / DavisYosemite National Park