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 Texas (standard rate) | $791/wk | $476/wk | $1,267/wk |
| Arlington,Fort Worth,Grapevine | $1,344/wk | $560/wk | $1,904/wk |
| Austin | $1,288/wk | $560/wk | $1,848/wk |
| Big Spring | $931/wk | $476/wk | $1,407/wk |
| Dallas |
| $1,288/wk |
| $560/wk |
| $1,848/wk |
| Galveston | $812/wk | $518/wk | $1,330/wk |
|---|
| Houston | $931/wk | $560/wk | $1,491/wk |
|---|
| Midland,Odessa | $952/wk | $518/wk | $1,470/wk |
|---|
| Pecos | $875/wk | $518/wk | $1,393/wk |
|---|
| Plano | $931/wk | $560/wk | $1,491/wk |
|---|
| San Antonio | $1,043/wk | $518/wk | $1,561/wk |
|---|
| South Padre Island | $861/wk | $518/wk | $1,379/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 →