South Carolina Per Diem Rates 2026 (GSA FY2027)
The standard FY2027 per diem in South Carolina is $113 lodging + $68 M&IE ($181/day); 4 locations have higher rates, up to $288/night in Charleston.
Effective Thu, Oct 1, 2026 to Thu, Sep 30, 2027.
$181
Standard rate per day
$113 lodging + $68 M&IE
4
Listed higher-rate locations
in South Carolina
$288
Highest lodging per night
Charleston, Mar 1–May 31
$92
Highest M&IE per day
Charleston
Highest lodging rate by South Carolina city
Standard rate: $113/night (applies to every city not listed)
- Charleston$288
- Hilton Head$226
- Myrtle Beach$202
- Columbia$115
All South Carolina per diem rates (FY2027)
| City | County | Lodging per night | M&IE | First/last day (75%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | Charleston / Berkeley / Dorchester | Oct 1–Oct 31: $244 Nov 1–Feb 28: $218 Mar 1–May 31: $288 Jun 1–Sep 30: $244 | $92 | $69 |
| Columbia | Richland / Lexington | All year: $115 | $74 | $55.50 |
| Hilton Head | Beaufort | Oct 1–Oct 31: $171 Nov 1–Mar 31: $132 Apr 1–May 31: $207 Jun 1–Aug 31: $226 Sep 1–Sep 30: $171 | $80 | $60 |
| Myrtle Beach | Horry | Oct 1–Oct 31: $135 Nov 1–Feb 28: $113 Mar 1–May 31: $147 Jun 1–Aug 31: $202 Sep 1–Sep 30: $135 | $74 | $55.50 |
Anywhere in South Carolina not listed uses the standard rate: $113 lodging + $68 M&IE.
Meals and incidentals (M&IE) in South Carolina
| M&IE per day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Incid. | First/last day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $68 | $16 | $19 | $28 | $5 | $51 |
| $74 | $18 | $20 | $31 | $5 | $55.50 |
| $80 | $20 | $22 | $33 | $5 | $60 |
| $92 | $23 | $26 | $38 | $5 | $69 |
Calculate your South Carolina trip
South Carolina (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 South Carolina (standard rate): breakfast $16, lunch $19, dinner $28, incidentals $5; first and last day $51.
South Carolina per diem FAQ
What is the per diem rate in South Carolina for 2026?
For fiscal year 2027 (Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027) the standard GSA per diem in South Carolina is $113 per night for lodging plus $68 per day for meals and incidentals (M&IE), $181 per day. 4 South Carolina locations have a higher listed rate, up to $288 per night in Charleston.
Which South Carolina city has the highest per diem?
Charleston (Charleston / Berkeley / Dorchester) has the highest listed lodging rate in South Carolina: $288 per night from Mar 1 to May 31, with $92 per day for M&IE.
How much is per diem for a 3-day trip to Charleston?
A trip with 2 nights and 3 travel days at Charleston, SC comes to at most $806: lodging 2 x $288 = $576 (the highest seasonal rate; other months are lower), plus M&IE of $92 for the middle day and $69 (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.