Columbia Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Richland / Lexington · South Carolina · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Columbia is $74/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $115/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 $793: $460 lodging (4 nights) + $333 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Columbia lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Columbia. M&IE is flat at $74/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $115 | · |
| Feb | $115 | · |
| Mar | $115 | · |
| Apr | $115 | · |
| May | $115 | · |
| Jun | $115 | · |
| Jul | $115 | · |
| Aug | $115 | · |
| Sep | $115 | · |
| Oct | $115 | · |
| Nov | $115 | · |
| Dec | $115 | · |
How does Columbia compare with other South Carolina per diem areas?
Columbia has the lowest peak lodging cap of the 4 non-standard per diem areas in South Carolina — $115/night, $85 below the state's $200/night NSA average, yet still $5 above the $110 standard rate.
The $115/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 $74/day M&IE tier.
At $115 lodging + $74 M&IE, Columbia carries one of the mildest premiums GSA lists — only $5/night above the national standard rate, so a budget built on the standard rate lands close here (reimbursement still uses the listed cap). Below Columbia, every unlisted South Carolina location falls back to the $110 standard rate; the next step up in-state is Myrtle Beach at $182/night.
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Columbia per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Columbia?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Columbia, South Carolina is $74 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $115/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?
- $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.
- Is the Columbia per diem much higher than the standard rate?
- No — only $5/night more. Columbia is capped at $115 lodging + $74 M&IE versus the standard $110 + $68, so a budget built on the standard rate lands close here. Reimbursement still uses the listed Columbia rate.
- 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 $189 (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.