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 South Carolina (standard rate) | $791/wk | $476/wk | $1,267/wk |
| Charleston | $1,708/wk | $644/wk | $2,352/wk |
| Columbia | $805/wk | $518/wk | $1,323/wk |
| Hilton Head | $1,197/wk | $560/wk | $1,757/wk |
| Myrtle Beach | $945/wk | $518/wk | $1,463/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 →