Travel nurse stipends in Iowa
Federal GSA per diem rates for FY2027 in Iowa, the ceiling most staffing agencies use for tax-free housing and meal stipends. The table covers the areas around 118 hospitals; 2 areas have rates above the standard rate.
FY2027 GSA rates in Iowa
| Area | Lodging this month | Seasonal range | Meals per day | Weekly maximum | HUD 1-bed rent | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des MoinesDes Moines, Clive | $122 | Same all year | $80 | $1,414 | $960 | 5 |
| DallasPerry | $117 | Same all year | $80 | $1,379 | $910 | 1 |
| Rest of the state (standard rate)Iowa City, Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids | $113 | Same all year | $68 | $1,267 | $1,110 | 112 |
Weekly maximum is seven nights of lodging plus seven days of meals and incidentals at this month's rate. HUD rent is the FY2026 fair market rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom with basic utilities; furnished monthly rentals usually cost more. Sources: GSA and HUD.
How to use these rates
A weekly stipend is usually quoted as lodging plus meals and incidentals for seven days. Agencies set the actual amount, often below these ceilings, and the stipend is only tax-free if you keep a tax home you pay for. Read the tax home rules before you sign. The stipend calculator adds up a contract night by night when rates change by season.
Cities with the most hospitals in Iowa
- Des Moines4 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Iowa City3 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Bettendorf2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Cedar Rapids2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Cherokee2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Council Bluffs2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Dubuque2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Independence2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Sioux City2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Waterloo2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Albia1 hospital · estimate a contract
- Algona1 hospital · estimate a contract
Questions about stipends in Iowa
What is the travel nurse stipend in Iowa?
Most agencies cap the tax-free stipend at the GSA per diem rate. In FY2027, the standard rate in Iowa is $113 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, up to $1,267 a week. 2 areas pay more; the highest this month is Des Moines at $122 a night.
Which part of Iowa has the highest lodging rate?
Des Moines (Des Moines, Clive) at $122 a night this month, or up to $1,414 a week with meals and incidentals.
Do agencies have to pay the full GSA rate?
No. Agencies set their own stipends, often at or below the GSA rate, and some move part of the pay between the hourly rate and the stipend. Payments above the federal rate are generally taxable. You also need a tax home for the stipend to be tax-free.
When do these rates change?
Every October 1, when the federal fiscal year starts. FY2027 rates apply from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Some areas also change by season within the year.