Santa Cruz Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Santa Cruz · California · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Santa Cruz is $86/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $139–$176/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.
A 4-night business trip to Santa Cruz in June totals $1,091: $704 lodging (4 nights) + $387 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
Calculate your exact Santa Cruz trip
Santa Cruz lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Santa Cruz. M&IE is flat at $86/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $139 | Low |
| Feb | $139 | Low |
| Mar | $139 | Low |
| Apr | $139 | Low |
| May | $139 | Low |
| Jun | $176 | Peak |
| Jul | $176 | Peak |
| Aug | $176 | Peak |
| Sep | $139 | Low |
| Oct | $139 | Low |
| Nov | $139 | Low |
| Dec | $139 | Low |
How does Santa Cruz compare with other California per diem areas?
Santa Cruz ranks #15 of 32 California non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $176/night — $5 below the state's $181/night NSA average.
Lodging in Santa Cruz swings 27% across the year — from $139/night in January to $176/night in June — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $148 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $86/day regardless of season.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper California area is Mill Valley / San Rafael / Novato at $175/night peak, and the next step up is San Mateo / Foster City / Belmont at $183/night.
Book within the Santa Cruz lodging cap
Otto finds hotels in Santa Cruz at or under your $139–$176/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
Santa Cruz per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Santa Cruz?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Santa Cruz, California is $86 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $139–$176/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 Cruz?
- $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 Santa Cruz change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In Santa Cruz, lodging is highest in June at $176/night and lowest in January at $139/night. M&IE stays flat at $86/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Santa Cruz?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Santa Cruz the full daily cap is up to $262 (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.