New Orleans, LA per-diem rate (FY2026)
The GSA federal ceiling for tax-free housing & meal stipends on a travel-nurse assignment in New Orleans (Orleans / Jefferson Parishes County).
| Lodging / night | $133–$179 |
| M&IE / full day | $80 |
| M&IE first/last day (75%) | $60 |
| Weekly tax-free ceiling | $1,813 |
| 13-week assignment ceiling | $23,569 |
Source: GSA FY2026, effective 2025-10-01.
Check your offer
Seasonal lodging rates
Lodging in New Orleans changes by season. M&IE stays $80/day all year.
| Season | Lodging / night |
|---|---|
| October 1 – January 31 | $157 |
| February 1 – May 31 | $179 |
| June 1 – August 31 | $133 |
| September 1 – September 30 | $157 |
What this means for travel nurses
When you take an assignment in New Orleans, your agency builds a pay package from a taxable hourly base plus tax-free stipends for housing and meals. Those stipends can only be paid tax-free up to the GSA per-diem ceiling above — roughly $1,813/week. If a recruiter quotes a housing stipend far above this, ask how the package is structured; the excess may be taxable, and an artificially low taxable base carries its own IRS risk. To keep stipends tax-free you must also maintain a legitimate tax home.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the 2026 per diem rate for New Orleans, LA?
- For FY2026, the GSA per-diem rate for New Orleans, LA is $133–$179 for lodging (seasonal) plus $80 for meals and incidentals (M&IE), for up to $259 per day.
- How much can my travel-nurse housing stipend be in New Orleans?
- Agencies can generally pay up to the GSA ceiling tax-free: about $1,813 per week (lodging + M&IE) in New Orleans. Amounts above that may be taxable. Use the calculator on this page to check a specific offer.
- What is the M&IE first and last day rate?
- On travel days you get 75% of the daily M&IE, which is $60 for New Orleans.