Free tool · FY2027 GSA rates
North Carolina per diem rates 2027: Raleigh, Durham & Charlotte
The federal lodging and meals allowance for our three cities — and a live check on whether a furnished apartment for your dates fits inside it.
Federal per diem · Raleigh (Wake County)
$1,988
Lodging: $142/night × 14 nights
Plus meals & incidentals: $1,073 ($74/day, 75% on the first and last day)
Trifecta apartment
Tap “Check against per diem” to pull a live price for these dates.
FY2027 per diem rates at a glance
| Locality | Lodging / night | Meals & incidentals / day | First & last day M&IE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte (Mecklenburg County) | $143 | $80 | $60.00 |
| Durham (Durham County) | $124 | $74 | $55.50 |
| Raleigh (Wake County) | $142 | $74 | $55.50 |
| Standard CONUS rate | $113 | $68 | $51.00 |
Rates apply October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027, the same every month. Source: U.S. General Services Administration. Lodging is before taxes.
Making a per diem go further on a long assignment
On a multi-week project, the lodging rate is a ceiling, not a target. A furnished apartment often comes in under it — especially when two colleagues share a two-bedroom — and the kitchen keeps the meals allowance for meals. For the tax side of long stays, see the NC 90-day occupancy-tax rule; for typical monthly costs, see what corporate housing costs here.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the per diem rate for Charlotte, NC in 2027?
- For federal fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027), Charlotte (Mecklenburg County) is $143 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidental expenses, year-round.
- What is the per diem rate for Raleigh, NC in 2027?
- Raleigh (Wake County) is $142 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, year-round, for fiscal year 2027.
- What is the per diem rate for Durham, NC in 2027?
- Durham (Durham County) is $124 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, year-round, for fiscal year 2027.
- Can I use per diem for a furnished apartment instead of a hotel?
- Many travel policies allow it when the cost fits the lodging rate — check yours. Apartments make the most sense on longer assignments, where the nightly cost often drops below the hotel rate and a kitchen stretches the meals allowance.
- Are lodging taxes included in the per diem rate?
- No. The federal lodging rate is before taxes; lodging taxes are generally reimbursed separately as an actual expense. That is why the checker compares the apartment’s price before taxes and shows the taxes on their own.
- Do per diem rates change for long assignments?
- Some employers and agencies pay a reduced flat rate on long-term assignments. The checker uses the standard daily rates — confirm the rules in your own travel policy.