Iowa Per Diem Rates 2026 (GSA FY2027)
The standard FY2027 per diem in Iowa is $113 lodging + $68 M&IE ($181/day); 2 locations have higher rates, up to $122/night in Des Moines.
Effective Thu, Oct 1, 2026 to Thu, Sep 30, 2027.
$181
Standard rate per day
$113 lodging + $68 M&IE
2
Listed higher-rate locations
in Iowa
$122
Highest lodging per night
Des Moines, All year
$80
Highest M&IE per day
Dallas
Highest lodging rate by Iowa city
Standard rate: $113/night (applies to every city not listed)
- Des Moines$122
- Dallas$117
All Iowa per diem rates (FY2027)
| City | County | Lodging per night | M&IE | First/last day (75%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Dallas | All year: $117 | $80 | $60 |
| Des Moines | Polk | All year: $122 | $80 | $60 |
Anywhere in Iowa not listed uses the standard rate: $113 lodging + $68 M&IE.
Meals and incidentals (M&IE) in Iowa
| M&IE per day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Incid. | First/last day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $68 | $16 | $19 | $28 | $5 | $51 |
| $80 | $20 | $22 | $33 | $5 | $60 |
Calculate your Iowa trip
Iowa (standard rate): 2 nights, 3 travel days
Maximum per diem for this trip
$396
Lodging
$226
Meals and incidentals (M&IE)
$170
First report free: log real expenses next to your per diem and export a PDF or Excel expense report.
Day-by-day breakdown
| Date | Lodging | M&IE | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 9, 2026 | $113 | $51 | First day, 75% M&IE |
| Tue, Nov 10, 2026 | $113 | $68 | Full day, 100% M&IE |
| Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | none | $51 | Last day, 75% M&IE |
| Total | $226 | $170 |
Lodging is the maximum nightly rate for the season that covers each night, not a flat allowance for hotel receipts. M&IE here is $68 per day at Iowa (standard rate): breakfast $16, lunch $19, dinner $28, incidentals $5; first and last day $51.
Iowa per diem FAQ
What is the per diem rate in Iowa for 2026?
For fiscal year 2027 (Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027) the standard GSA per diem in Iowa is $113 per night for lodging plus $68 per day for meals and incidentals (M&IE), $181 per day. 2 Iowa locations have a higher listed rate, up to $122 per night in Des Moines.
Which Iowa city has the highest per diem?
Des Moines (Polk) has the highest listed lodging rate in Iowa: $122 per night all year, with $80 per day for M&IE.
How much is per diem for a 3-day trip to Des Moines?
A trip with 2 nights and 3 travel days at Des Moines, IA comes to at most $444: lodging 2 x $122 = $244, plus M&IE of $80 for the middle day and $60 (75%) for the first and last day. Use the calculator above for exact dates.
Do private employers have to use GSA per diem rates?
No. GSA rates are written for federal travelers; many private employers use them as a benchmark, and your employer's policy decides what applies to you.
Data: GSA FY2027 per diem rates, effective Oct 1, 2026 (public domain; source gsa.gov). Last checked Sat, Oct 31, 2026. Easy Trip Expenses is not affiliated with the GSA. Results are the maximum allowance, not a guarantee of what your employer pays.