Des Moines Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Polk · Iowa · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Des Moines is $80/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $121/night for lodging, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
A 4-night business trip to Des Moines in January totals $844: $484 lodging (4 nights) + $360 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
Calculate your exact Des Moines trip
Des Moines lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Des Moines. M&IE is flat at $80/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $121 | · |
| Feb | $121 | · |
| Mar | $121 | · |
| Apr | $121 | · |
| May | $121 | · |
| Jun | $121 | · |
| Jul | $121 | · |
| Aug | $121 | · |
| Sep | $121 | · |
| Oct | $121 | · |
| Nov | $121 | · |
| Dec | $121 | · |
How does Des Moines compare with other Iowa per diem areas?
Des Moines is the most expensive per diem area in Iowa for FY2026: its $121/night peak lodging cap tops the state's 2 non-standard areas, $3 above the state's $118/night NSA average.
The $121/night lodging cap holds flat through all 12 months of FY2026, so there is no cheaper season to target in Des Moines — trip cost depends only on length of stay and the $80/day M&IE tier.
The next cheaper Iowa area is Dallas at $115/night peak; every unlisted Iowa location falls back to the $110 standard rate.
Book within the Des Moines lodging cap
Otto finds hotels in Des Moines at or under your $121/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
Des Moines per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Des Moines?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Des Moines, Iowa is $80 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $121/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 Des Moines?
- $80 per day for FY2026: $20 breakfast, $22 lunch, $33 dinner and $5 incidentals. The first and last day of travel reimburse at 75%, or $60.
- Is Des Moines the most expensive per diem area in Iowa?
- Yes. By peak lodging cap, Des Moines tops the 2 non-standard areas GSA lists in Iowa for FY2026 at $121/night — $11 above the $110 standard cap. Its full daily rate reaches $201 with M&IE included.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Des Moines?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Des Moines the full daily cap is up to $201 (peak-month lodging + $80 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.