San Francisco Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
San Francisco · California · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for San Francisco is $92/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $259–$272/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in September and is lowest in January.
A 4-night business trip to San Francisco in September totals $1,502: $1,088 lodging (4 nights) + $414 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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San Francisco lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for San Francisco. M&IE is flat at $92/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $259 | Low |
| Feb | $259 | Low |
| Mar | $259 | Low |
| Apr | $259 | Low |
| May | $259 | Low |
| Jun | $259 | Low |
| Jul | $259 | Low |
| Aug | $259 | Low |
| Sep | $272 | Peak |
| Oct | $272 | Peak |
| Nov | $272 | Peak |
| Dec | $272 | Peak |
How does San Francisco compare with other California per diem areas?
San Francisco ranks #3 of 32 California non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $272/night — $91 above the state's $181/night NSA average.
Lodging in San Francisco swings 5% across the year — from $259/night in January to $272/night in September — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $52 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $92/day regardless of season.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper California area is Santa Barbara at $262/night peak, and the next step up is Santa Monica at $273/night.
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Otto finds hotels in San Francisco at or under your $259–$272/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
San Francisco per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for San Francisco?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for San Francisco, California is $92 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $259–$272/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 San Francisco?
- $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 San Francisco change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In San Francisco, lodging is highest in September at $272/night and lowest in January at $259/night. M&IE stays flat at $92/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in San Francisco?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In San Francisco the full daily cap is up to $364 (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.