As a global capital of finance, media, arts, and diplomacy, New York City is one of the most important and frequented business travel destinations in the world. For any organization with employees traveling to the five boroughs, navigating the city's exceptionally high costs requires a clear, compliant, and efficient expense management strategy.
Per diem, a daily allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, offers a structured method for reimbursement. This guide provides a detailed look at the per diem rates for New York City, clarifies crucial state labor laws, and shows how you can automate the entire process.
New York City Per Diem Rate
Per diem rates for official travel in New York City are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These federal rates are mandatory for federal employees and serve as an essential benchmark for private sector companies looking to establish a fair and IRS-compliant reimbursement policy in a high-cost environment.
For Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), the rates for New York City are as follows:
New York City (Five Boroughs)
The GSA designates all five boroughs (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond counties) as a single Non-Standard Area (NSA) with some of the highest and most seasonally-variable rates in the country.
- M&IE: $92 per day
- Lodging: Highly seasonal, with rates fluctuating throughout the year:
- $342 per night (Oct - Dec, Sep)
- $281 per night (Mar - May)
- $237 per night (Jul - Aug)
- $179 per night (Jan - Feb)
- The first and last day of travel, the M&IE rate is $69.00.
Standard CONUS Rate
For context, any county in New York State not specifically listed by the GSA uses the standard CONUS rate. This rate is significantly lower than that for New York City. For FY 2025, the standard rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).