Santa Barbara Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Santa Barbara · California · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Santa Barbara is $92/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $205–$262/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in July and is lowest in January.
A 4-night business trip to Santa Barbara in July totals $1,462: $1,048 lodging (4 nights) + $414 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
Calculate your exact Santa Barbara trip
Santa Barbara lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Santa Barbara. M&IE is flat at $92/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $205 | Low |
| Feb | $205 | Low |
| Mar | $205 | Low |
| Apr | $205 | Low |
| May | $205 | Low |
| Jun | $205 | Low |
| Jul | $262 | Peak |
| Aug | $262 | Peak |
| Sep | $205 | Low |
| Oct | $205 | Low |
| Nov | $205 | Low |
| Dec | $205 | Low |
How does Santa Barbara compare with other California per diem areas?
Santa Barbara ranks #4 of 32 California non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $262/night — $81 above the state's $181/night NSA average.
Lodging in Santa Barbara swings 28% across the year — from $205/night in January to $262/night in July — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $228 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $92/day regardless of season.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper California area is South Lake Tahoe at $247/night peak, and the next step up is San Francisco at $272/night.
Book within the Santa Barbara lodging cap
Otto finds hotels in Santa Barbara at or under your $205–$262/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
Santa Barbara per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Santa Barbara?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Santa Barbara, California is $92 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $205–$262/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 Santa Barbara?
- $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 Santa Barbara change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In Santa Barbara, lodging is highest in July at $262/night and lowest in January at $205/night. M&IE stays flat at $92/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Santa Barbara?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Santa Barbara the full daily cap is up to $354 (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.