Navigating business travel expenses in Texas presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. From the sprawling urban centers of Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin to the state's vast rural landscapes, travel costs can vary significantly.
Per diem, the system of providing a fixed daily allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, is a widely used method for managing these costs efficiently. This guide is designed for employees, managers, and finance teams, offering a clear overview of per diem rates applicable in Texas, key state-specific legal considerations,
Texas Per Diem Rates
For federal travel and as a common benchmark for many private businesses, per diem rates in Texas are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These rates are tailored to reflect the local economy of different areas within the state.
- Varying Rates by Location: Major metropolitan areas and key business or tourist destinations in Texas, such as Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio, are often designated as Non-Standard Areas (NSAs). These locations have higher, specific per diem rates to cover the higher cost of lodging and meals.
- Standard CONUS Rate for Other Areas: A vast number of counties in Texas are not individually listed as NSAs. For any location not specifically named, the standard CONUS (Continental United States) rate applies. For FY 2025 (October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025), this standard rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).
- Rate Composition: Every per diem rate is composed of two main elements: a maximum lodging allowance and a Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) rate. The lodging amount is the nightly cap for accommodation (excluding taxes), and the M&IE rate is for food and incidentals (including tips).
- Seasonal Adjustments: In certain Texas locations, lodging per diem rates may fluctuate with the seasons to account for periods of high or low demand.
Texas Per Diem Rate Calculator
Our Texas Per Diem Rate Calculator is designed to give you precise and current allowance information for your business travel, removing the complexity of looking up rates manually.