The most an agency can usually pay you tax-free each week for housing and for meals and incidentals (M&IE), city by city, for federal fiscal year 2027 (October 2026 to September 2027).
| $966/wk |
| $602/wk |
| $1,568/wk |
| Hyannis | $917/wk | $644/wk | $1,561/wk |
|---|
| Martha's Vineyard | $1,393/wk | $644/wk | $2,037/wk |
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| Nantucket | $1,197/wk | $644/wk | $1,841/wk |
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| Northampton | $1,099/wk | $560/wk | $1,659/wk |
|---|
| Pittsfield | $994/wk | $602/wk | $1,596/wk |
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| Plymouth,Taunton,New Bedford | $889/wk | $560/wk | $1,449/wk |
|---|
| Quincy | $1,330/wk | $560/wk | $1,890/wk |
|---|
| Springfield | $917/wk | $518/wk | $1,435/wk |
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| Worcester | $980/wk | $560/wk | $1,540/wk |
|---|
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) per diem rates. Weekly = the daily rate times 7.
The GSA (the federal General Services Administration) sets the most the government pays its own staff for lodging and for meals and incidentals (M&IE) when they travel. Travel nursing agencies use these same rates as the top of their tax-free housing and meals stipends. Many pay less than the limit.
Stipends are usually tax-free only if you keep a tax home you pay for while you're away. Weekly numbers here are the daily rate times 7.
This is general information, not tax advice. Talk to a tax professional about your situation. Read our guide to stipends and tax homes →