The largest metro
The District of Columbia is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 population estimates, read October 4, 2026). GSA publishes one rate area for it, which also takes in parts of Virginia and Maryland: lodging $192 to $295 a night, depending on the month, M&IE $92 a day (FY2027). Source: GSA per diem rates, FY2027, from GSA’s per diem API (retrieved September 21, 2026).
Rates across the District of Columbia
GSA publishes one rate area for the District of Columbia; its lodging rate changes by month.
| Area | Counties GSA lists | Lodging a night | M&IE a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia, DC | Washington DC (also the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax, and the counties of Arlington and Fairfax, in Virginia; and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George's in Maryland) | $192 to $295 by month | $92 |
Source: GSA per diem rates, FY2027, from GSA’s per diem API (retrieved September 21, 2026).
How a stipend relates to these rates
The U.S. General Services Administration says: “We establish the per diem rates that federal agencies use to reimburse their employees for lodging and meals and incidental expenses incurred while on official travel within the continental United States.” Source: GSA: Per diem rates, read September 30, 2026.
The IRS says: “If your allowance is less than or equal to the federal rate, the allowance won’t be included in box 1 of your Form W-2.” Source: IRS Publication 463 (2025), read October 2, 2026.
The IRS says: “Generally, your tax home is your regular place of business or post of duty, regardless of where you maintain your family home. It includes the entire city or general area in which your business or work is located.” Source: IRS Publication 463 (2025), read October 2, 2026.
More on the District of Columbia: licensing in the District of Columbia and District of Columbia contracts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the GSA lodging rate in the District of Columbia?
GSA’s FY2027 lodging rate for the District of Columbia is $192 to $295 a night, depending on the month. Source: GSA per diem rates, FY2027, from GSA’s per diem API (retrieved September 21, 2026).
What is the M&IE rate in the District of Columbia?
GSA’s FY2027 rate for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) in the District of Columbia is $92 a day. Source: GSA per diem rates, FY2027, from GSA’s per diem API (retrieved September 21, 2026).
Is a stipend at or below the federal rate reported as wages?
The IRS says: “If your allowance is less than or equal to the federal rate, the allowance won’t be included in box 1 of your Form W-2.” Source: IRS Publication 463 (2025), read October 2, 2026.
To see what a package’s stipends come to, use the stipend calculator. Stipend rates for every state.