New York City, NY per-diem rate (FY2026)
The GSA federal ceiling for tax-free housing & meal stipends on a travel-nurse assignment in New York City (Bronx / Kings / New York / Queens / Richmond County).
| Lodging / night | $179–$342 |
| M&IE / full day | $92 |
| M&IE first/last day (75%) | $69 |
| Weekly tax-free ceiling | $3,038 |
| 13-week assignment ceiling | $39,494 |
Source: GSA FY2026, effective 2025-10-01.
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Seasonal lodging rates
Lodging in New York City changes by season. M&IE stays $92/day all year.
| Season | Lodging / night |
|---|---|
| October 1 – December 31 | $342 |
| January 1 – February 28 | $179 |
| March 1 – June 30 | $281 |
| July 1 – August 31 | $237 |
| September 1 – September 30 | $342 |
What this means for travel nurses
When you take an assignment in New York City, 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 $3,038/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 York City, NY?
- For FY2026, the GSA per-diem rate for New York City, NY is $179–$342 for lodging (seasonal) plus $92 for meals and incidentals (M&IE), for up to $434 per day.
- How much can my travel-nurse housing stipend be in New York City?
- Agencies can generally pay up to the GSA ceiling tax-free: about $3,038 per week (lodging + M&IE) in New York City. 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 $69 for New York City.