Helena Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Lewis and Clark · Montana · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Helena is $74/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $132/night for lodging, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
A 4-night business trip to Helena in January totals $861: $528 lodging (4 nights) + $333 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
Calculate your exact Helena trip
Helena lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Helena. M&IE is flat at $74/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $132 | · |
| Feb | $132 | · |
| Mar | $132 | · |
| Apr | $132 | · |
| May | $132 | · |
| Jun | $132 | · |
| Jul | $132 | · |
| Aug | $132 | · |
| Sep | $132 | · |
| Oct | $132 | · |
| Nov | $132 | · |
| Dec | $132 | · |
How does Helena compare with other Montana per diem areas?
Helena has the lowest peak lodging cap of the 4 non-standard per diem areas in Montana — $132/night, $85 below the state's $217/night NSA average, yet still $22 above the $110 standard rate.
The $132/night lodging cap holds flat through all 12 months of FY2026, so there is no cheaper season to target in Helena — trip cost depends only on length of stay and the $74/day M&IE tier.
Below Helena, every unlisted Montana location falls back to the $110 standard rate; the next step up in-state is Missoula at $195/night.
Book within the Helena lodging cap
Otto finds hotels in Helena at or under your $132/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
Helena per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Helena?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Helena, Montana is $74 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $132/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 Helena?
- $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 Helena?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Helena the full daily cap is up to $206 (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.