Milwaukee Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Milwaukee · Wisconsin · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Milwaukee is $80/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $140/night for lodging, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
A 4-night business trip to Milwaukee in January totals $920: $560 lodging (4 nights) + $360 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Milwaukee lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Milwaukee. M&IE is flat at $80/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $140 | · |
| Feb | $140 | · |
| Mar | $140 | · |
| Apr | $140 | · |
| May | $140 | · |
| Jun | $140 | · |
| Jul | $140 | · |
| Aug | $140 | · |
| Sep | $140 | · |
| Oct | $140 | · |
| Nov | $140 | · |
| Dec | $140 | · |
How does Milwaukee compare with other Wisconsin per diem areas?
Milwaukee is the most expensive per diem area in Wisconsin for FY2026: its $140/night peak lodging cap tops the state's 3 non-standard areas, $3 above the state's $137/night NSA average.
The $140/night lodging cap holds flat through all 12 months of FY2026, so there is no cheaper season to target in Milwaukee — trip cost depends only on length of stay and the $80/day M&IE tier.
The next cheaper Wisconsin area is Madison at $138/night peak; every unlisted Wisconsin location falls back to the $110 standard rate.
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Milwaukee per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Milwaukee?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $80 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $140/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 Milwaukee?
- $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.
- Is Milwaukee the most expensive per diem area in Wisconsin?
- Yes. By peak lodging cap, Milwaukee tops the 3 non-standard areas GSA lists in Wisconsin for FY2026 at $140/night — $30 above the $110 standard cap. Its full daily rate reaches $220 with M&IE included.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Milwaukee?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Milwaukee the full daily cap is up to $220 (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.