Carlsbad Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Eddy · New Mexico · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Carlsbad is $74/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $155/night for lodging, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
A 4-night business trip to Carlsbad in January totals $953: $620 lodging (4 nights) + $333 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Carlsbad lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Carlsbad. M&IE is flat at $74/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $155 | · |
| Feb | $155 | · |
| Mar | $155 | · |
| Apr | $155 | · |
| May | $155 | · |
| Jun | $155 | · |
| Jul | $155 | · |
| Aug | $155 | · |
| Sep | $155 | · |
| Oct | $155 | · |
| Nov | $155 | · |
| Dec | $155 | · |
How does Carlsbad compare with other New Mexico per diem areas?
Carlsbad ranks #2 of 4 New Mexico non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $155/night — $6 above the state's $149/night NSA average.
The $155/night lodging cap holds flat through all 12 months of FY2026, so there is no cheaper season to target in Carlsbad — trip cost depends only on length of stay and the $74/day M&IE tier.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper New Mexico area is Albuquerque at $144/night peak, and the next step up is Santa Fe at $167/night.
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Carlsbad per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Carlsbad?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Carlsbad, New Mexico is $74 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $155/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 Carlsbad?
- $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 Carlsbad?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Carlsbad the full daily cap is up to $229 (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.