Columbus Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Franklin · Ohio · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Columbus is $80/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $131/night for lodging, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
A 4-night business trip to Columbus in January totals $884: $524 lodging (4 nights) + $360 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Columbus lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Columbus. M&IE is flat at $80/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $131 | · |
| Feb | $131 | · |
| Mar | $131 | · |
| Apr | $131 | · |
| May | $131 | · |
| Jun | $131 | · |
| Jul | $131 | · |
| Aug | $131 | · |
| Sep | $131 | · |
| Oct | $131 | · |
| Nov | $131 | · |
| Dec | $131 | · |
How does Columbus compare with other Ohio per diem areas?
Columbus ranks #4 of 6 Ohio non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $131/night — $8 below the state's $139/night NSA average.
The $131/night lodging cap holds flat through all 12 months of FY2026, so there is no cheaper season to target in Columbus — trip cost depends only on length of stay and the $80/day M&IE tier.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper Ohio area is Hamilton at $124/night peak, and the next step up is Sandusky at $144/night.
Book within the Columbus lodging cap
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Columbus per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Columbus?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Columbus, Ohio is $80 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $131/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 Columbus?
- $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.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Columbus?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Columbus the full daily cap is up to $211 (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.