Madison Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Dane · Wisconsin · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Madison is $80/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $110–$138/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in May and is lowest in January.
M&IE / day
$80
Flat all year
Lodging low
$110
January
Lodging peak
$138
May
Full daily (peak)
$218
Lodging + M&IE
Example trip
A 4-night business trip to Madison in May totals $912 — $552 lodging (4 nights) + $360 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Madison lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Madison. M&IE is flat at $80/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $110 | Low |
| Feb | $110 | Low |
| Mar | $110 | Low |
| Apr | $110 | Low |
| May | $138 | Peak |
| Jun | $138 | Peak |
| Jul | $138 | Peak |
| Aug | $138 | Peak |
| Sep | $138 | Peak |
| Oct | $138 | Peak |
| Nov | $110 | Low |
| Dec | $110 | Low |
Madison per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Madison?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Madison, Wisconsin is $80 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $110–$138/night for lodging depending on the month. The standard CONUS rate, for comparison, is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
- Why does lodging per diem in Madison change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In Madison, lodging is highest in May at $138/night and lowest in January at $110/night. M&IE stays flat at $80/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Madison?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Madison the full daily cap is up to $218 (peak-month lodging + $80 M&IE). A stipend at or below the GSA rate is tax-free; anything above is taxable wages.