Athens Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Clarke · Georgia · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Athens is $74/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $136/night for lodging, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
A 4-night business trip to Athens in January totals $877: $544 lodging (4 nights) + $333 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Athens lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Athens. M&IE is flat at $74/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $136 | · |
| Feb | $136 | · |
| Mar | $136 | · |
| Apr | $136 | · |
| May | $136 | · |
| Jun | $136 | · |
| Jul | $136 | · |
| Aug | $136 | · |
| Sep | $136 | · |
| Oct | $136 | · |
| Nov | $136 | · |
| Dec | $136 | · |
How does Athens compare with other Georgia per diem areas?
Athens ranks #4 of 6 Georgia non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $136/night — $28 below the state's $164/night NSA average.
The $136/night lodging cap holds flat through all 12 months of FY2026, so there is no cheaper season to target in Athens — trip cost depends only on length of stay and the $74/day M&IE tier.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper Georgia area is Marietta at $126/night peak, and the next step up is Savannah at $176/night.
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Athens per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Athens?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Athens, Georgia is $74 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $136/night for lodging. The standard CONUS rate, for comparison, is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
- What is the meal reimbursement (M&IE) rate in Athens?
- $74 per day for FY2026: $18 breakfast, $20 lunch, $31 dinner and $5 incidentals. The first and last day of travel reimburse at 75%, or $55.50.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Athens?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Athens the full daily cap is up to $210 (peak-month lodging + $74 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.