The largest metro
Maryland’s largest metro area is Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 population estimates, read October 4, 2026). Its most populous county in Maryland, Baltimore County, has no GSA rate of its own, so GSA’s standard rate applies there: lodging $113 a night, M&IE $68 a day (FY2027). Source: GSA per diem rates, FY2027, from GSA’s per diem API (retrieved September 21, 2026).
Rates across Maryland
Anywhere in Maryland without a rate of its own, GSA’s FY2027 standard rate applies: lodging $113 a night, M&IE $68 a day. 8 areas have their own rates:
| Area | Counties GSA lists | Lodging a night | M&IE a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen / Bel Air / Belcamp, MD | Harford | $117 | $74 |
| Annapolis, MD | Anne Arundel | $130 to $169 by month | $80 |
| Baltimore City, MD | Baltimore City | $166 | $86 |
| Cambridge / St. Michaels, MD | Dorchester / Talbot | $147 to $195 by month | $80 |
| Centreville, MD | Queen Anne | $127 to $164 by month | $74 |
| Columbia, MD | Howard | $116 | $86 |
| District of Columbia, MD | 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 |
| Ocean City, MD | Worcester | $115 to $306 by month | $80 |
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 Maryland: licensing in Maryland, Maryland pay and Maryland contracts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the GSA lodging rate in Maryland?
GSA’s FY2027 standard lodging rate in Maryland is $113 a night. The 8 areas with their own rates run from $115 to $306 a night, depending on the area and 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 Maryland?
GSA’s FY2027 standard rate for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) in Maryland is $68 a day; the 8 areas with their own rates run from $74 to $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.
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