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).
| Where | Housing | M&IE | Total a week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everywhere else in North Carolina (standard rate) | $791/wk | $476/wk | $1,267/wk |
| Asheville | $1,015/wk | $560/wk | $1,575/wk |
| Atlantic Beach,Morehead | $987/wk | $518/wk | $1,505/wk |
| Chapel Hill | $1,071/wk | $560/wk | $1,631/wk |
| Charlotte | $1,001/wk |
| $560/wk |
| $1,561/wk |
| Durham | $868/wk | $518/wk | $1,386/wk |
|---|
| Fayetteville | $903/wk | $476/wk | $1,379/wk |
|---|
| Greensboro | $910/wk | $518/wk | $1,428/wk |
|---|
| Kill Devil Hills | $1,162/wk | $518/wk | $1,680/wk |
|---|
| Raleigh | $994/wk | $518/wk | $1,512/wk |
|---|
| Wilmington | $1,008/wk | $518/wk | $1,526/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 →