2026 Per Diem Calculator for North Carolina
When traveling for business in North Carolina, here are the per diem rates you’re allowed for hotels, meals, and incidentals.
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Per Diem Rates for Lodging in North Carolina
The General Services Administration set the per diem rates on a monthly basis for all destinations in North Carolina. Here are the per diem rates that apply in North Carolina when you travel there for business.
City | County | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Rate | Applies for all locations without specified rates | $110 | $110 | $110 | $110 | $110 | $110 | $110 | $110 | $110 | $110 | $110 | $110 |
Asheville | Buncombe | $120 | $120 | $120 | $120 | $120 | $120 | $120 | $120 | $120 | $141 | $141 | $141 |
Atlantic Beach / Morehead City | Carteret | $123 | $123 | $123 | $123 | $178 | $178 | $178 | $178 | $123 | $123 | $123 | $123 |
Chapel Hill | Orange | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 | $140 |
Charlotte | Mecklenburg | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 |
Durham | Durham | $121 | $121 | $121 | $121 | $121 | $121 | $121 | $121 | $121 | $121 | $121 | $121 |
Fayetteville | Cumberland | $124 | $124 | $124 | $124 | $124 | $124 | $124 | $124 | $124 | $124 | $124 | $124 |
Greensboro | Guilford | $112 | $112 | $123 | $123 | $123 | $123 | $123 | $123 | $123 | $123 | $112 | $112 |
Kill Devil Hills | Dare | $133 | $133 | $133 | $190 | $190 | $254 | $254 | $254 | $133 | $133 | $133 | $133 |
Raleigh | Wake | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 | $131 |
Wilmington | New Hanover | $110 | $110 | $147 | $147 | $147 | $147 | $147 | $147 | $147 | $147 | $110 | $110 |
Per Diem Rates for Meals and Incidentals in North Carolina
City | County | Lodging | Meals & Incidentals rate | Trip totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Rate | Applies for all locations without specified rates | $110 | $73 | $183 |
Asheville | Buncombe | $125 | $85 | $210 |
Atlantic Beach / Morehead City | Carteret | $141 | $79 | $220 |
Chapel Hill | Orange | $140 | $85 | $225 |
Charlotte | Mecklenburg | $131 | $85 | $216 |
Durham | Durham | $121 | $79 | $200 |
Fayetteville | Cumberland | $124 | $73 | $197 |
Greensboro | Guilford | $119 | $79 | $198 |
Kill Devil Hills | Dare | $173 | $79 | $252 |
Raleigh | Wake | $131 | $79 | $210 |
Wilmington | New Hanover | $135 | $79 | $214 |
Frequently visited states for business
Planning a business trip to North Carolina
A trip within North Carolina can have different lodging allowances depending on where the work takes place. Use the applicable city rate as a planning benchmark, then check your corporate travel policy before committing to a hotel or extending the stay.
Where business travelers stay in North Carolina
For a trip involving Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham, travelers building an itinerary around a venue or arrival point can compare hotels near Charlotte Convention Center and hotels near Raleigh Convention Center with the per-diem rate for that market. Location, transfer time, and an early departure can matter as much as the nightly price.
Conferences, meetings, and company offsites
When an agenda combines client meetings, a conference, or an offsite in North Carolina, choose the rate for the actual overnight location rather than a nearby market. Confirm the venue, airport, and hotel plan before the trip so attendees are working from the same assumptions.
Using per diem and documenting expenses
Per diem is an allowance framework, not a substitute for an employer’s rules. Treat each qualifying business expense according to your policy, retain supporting documentation when required, and submit an expense report with the business purpose and trip details your organization requests.
Top Industries:
- Banking and Finance: Includes major firms that have a strong presence in Charlotte.
- Technology: Includes tech companies and research institutions in the Research Triangle area.
- Healthcare: Major hospitals and medical centers, including Duke University Health System.
- Agriculture: Significant producer of tobacco, poultry, and sweet potatoes.
- Education: Home to universities like the University of North Carolina and Duke University.
- Manufacturing: Includes machinery, textiles, and aerospace components.
- Tourism: Attractions include the Blue Ridge Mountains, beaches, and historic sites.
- Retail: Includes both national chains and local retailers.
- Energy: Includes both traditional and renewable energy sources.
- Biotechnology: Growing sector with a focus on medical and agricultural biotech.
Some of the Biggest Companies:
- Bank of America (Charlotte): Major financial services firm.
- Duke Energy (Charlotte): Provides electricity and natural gas services.
- Lowe’s Companies (Mooresville): Major home improvement retailer.
- Red Hat (Raleigh): Software company specializing in open-source solutions.
