Cincinnati Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Hamilton / Clermont · Ohio · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Cincinnati is $86/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $163/night for lodging, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
A 4-night business trip to Cincinnati in January totals $1,039: $652 lodging (4 nights) + $387 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Cincinnati lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Cincinnati. M&IE is flat at $86/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $163 | · |
| Feb | $163 | · |
| Mar | $163 | · |
| Apr | $163 | · |
| May | $163 | · |
| Jun | $163 | · |
| Jul | $163 | · |
| Aug | $163 | · |
| Sep | $163 | · |
| Oct | $163 | · |
| Nov | $163 | · |
| Dec | $163 | · |
How does Cincinnati compare with other Ohio per diem areas?
Cincinnati is the most expensive per diem area in Ohio for FY2026: its $163/night peak lodging cap tops the state's 6 non-standard areas, $24 above the state's $139/night NSA average.
The $163/night lodging cap holds flat through all 12 months of FY2026, so there is no cheaper season to target in Cincinnati — trip cost depends only on length of stay and the $86/day M&IE tier.
The next cheaper Ohio area is Cleveland at $159/night peak; every unlisted Ohio location falls back to the $110 standard rate.
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Cincinnati per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Cincinnati?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Cincinnati, Ohio is $86 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $163/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 Cincinnati?
- $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.
- Is Cincinnati the most expensive per diem area in Ohio?
- Yes. By peak lodging cap, Cincinnati tops the 6 non-standard areas GSA lists in Ohio for FY2026 at $163/night — $53 above the $110 standard cap. Its full daily rate reaches $249 with M&IE included.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Cincinnati?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Cincinnati the full daily cap is up to $249 (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.