Columbia Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Howard · Maryland · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Columbia is $86/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $113/night for lodging, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
A 4-night business trip to Columbia in January totals $839: $452 lodging (4 nights) + $387 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
Calculate your exact Columbia trip
Columbia lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Columbia. M&IE is flat at $86/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $113 | · |
| Feb | $113 | · |
| Mar | $113 | · |
| Apr | $113 | · |
| May | $113 | · |
| Jun | $113 | · |
| Jul | $113 | · |
| Aug | $113 | · |
| Sep | $113 | · |
| Oct | $113 | · |
| Nov | $113 | · |
| Dec | $113 | · |
How does Columbia compare with other Maryland per diem areas?
Columbia ranks #7 of 8 Maryland non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $113/night — $68 below the state's $181/night NSA average, a cap it shares with 1 other Maryland area.
The $113/night lodging cap holds flat through all 12 months of FY2026, so there is no cheaper season to target in Columbia — trip cost depends only on length of stay and the $86/day M&IE tier.
Below Columbia, every unlisted Maryland location falls back to the $110 standard rate; the next step up in-state is Baltimore City at $150/night.
Book within the Columbia lodging cap
Otto finds hotels in Columbia at or under your $113/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
Columbia per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Columbia?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Columbia, Maryland is $86 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $113/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 Columbia?
- $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.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Columbia?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Columbia the full daily cap is up to $199 (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.