Charleston, SC per-diem rate (FY2026)
The GSA federal ceiling for tax-free housing & meal stipends on a travel-nurse assignment in Charleston (Charleston / Berkeley / Dorchester County).
| Lodging / night | $218–$288 |
| M&IE / full day | $92 |
| M&IE first/last day (75%) | $69 |
| Weekly tax-free ceiling | $2,660 |
| 13-week assignment ceiling | $34,580 |
Source: GSA FY2026, effective 2025-10-01.
Check your offer
Seasonal lodging rates
Lodging in Charleston changes by season. M&IE stays $92/day all year.
| Season | Lodging / night |
|---|---|
| October 1 – October 31 | $244 |
| November 1 – February 28 | $218 |
| March 1 – May 31 | $288 |
| June 1 – September 30 | $244 |
What this means for travel nurses
When you take an assignment in Charleston, 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 $2,660/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 Charleston, SC?
- For FY2026, the GSA per-diem rate for Charleston, SC is $218–$288 for lodging (seasonal) plus $92 for meals and incidentals (M&IE), for up to $380 per day.
- How much can my travel-nurse housing stipend be in Charleston?
- Agencies can generally pay up to the GSA ceiling tax-free: about $2,660 per week (lodging + M&IE) in Charleston. 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 Charleston.