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.
M&IE / day
$92
Flat all year
Lodging low
$205
January
Lodging peak
$262
July
Full daily (peak)
$354
Lodging + M&IE
Example trip
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%).
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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 |
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).
- 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). A stipend at or below the GSA rate is tax-free; anything above is taxable wages.
Other California per diem areas
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