Austin Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Travis · Texas · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Austin is $80/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $173–$187/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in January and is lowest in April.
A 4-night business trip to Austin in January totals $1,108: $748 lodging (4 nights) + $360 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Austin lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Austin. M&IE is flat at $80/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $187 | Peak |
| Feb | $187 | Peak |
| Mar | $187 | Peak |
| Apr | $173 | Low |
| May | $173 | Low |
| Jun | $173 | Low |
| Jul | $173 | Low |
| Aug | $173 | Low |
| Sep | $173 | Low |
| Oct | $173 | Low |
| Nov | $173 | Low |
| Dec | $173 | Low |
How does Austin compare with other Texas per diem areas?
Austin ranks #2 of 11 Texas non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $187/night — $39 above the state's $148/night NSA average.
Lodging in Austin swings 8% across the year — from $173/night in April to $187/night in January — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $56 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $80/day regardless of season.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper Texas area is Arlington / Fort Worth / Grapevine at $181/night peak, and the next step up is Dallas at $191/night.
Book within the Austin lodging cap
Otto finds hotels in Austin at or under your $173–$187/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
Austin per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Austin?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Austin, Texas is $80 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $173–$187/night for lodging depending on the month. The standard CONUS rate, for comparison, is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
- What is the meal reimbursement (M&IE) rate in Austin?
- $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.
- Why does lodging per diem in Austin change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In Austin, lodging is highest in January at $187/night and lowest in April at $173/night. M&IE stays flat at $80/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Austin?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Austin the full daily cap is up to $267 (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.