If you are a government contractor, federal employee, or TDY traveler assigned to work in the Seattle area, understanding GSA per diem rates is essential to getting your housing costs fully reimbursed. This guide covers what the current per diem rates are for Seattle, how to find housing that fits within those rates, and what to look for in a furnished apartment versus a hotel.
What Is GSA Per Diem?
The General Services Administration sets per diem rates for federal travelers, which include a daily lodging allowance and a meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) allowance. The lodging rate represents the maximum amount that will be reimbursed for a hotel or furnished apartment each night.
Per diem rates are location-specific and seasonal. High-cost cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. have rates that reflect local hotel and housing costs. Rates are updated annually and can change between standard season and peak season.
Current Seattle GSA Per Diem Rates
Seattle’s GSA per diem lodging rates are seasonal:
Standard season (October through May): $188 per night for lodging. This translates to approximately $5,640 per month.
Peak season (June through September): $248 per night for lodging. This translates to approximately $7,440 per month.
These rates reflect the fact that Seattle hotel prices rise significantly during summer months due to tourism, conventions, and events.
Hotel vs. Furnished Apartment for Extended Stays
For assignments of a few days, a hotel is the obvious choice. But for stays of 30 days or more, a furnished apartment offers significant advantages over a hotel, often at a lower nightly rate.
Space. A furnished apartment gives you a full living room, bedroom, kitchen, and workspace. A standard hotel room gives you one room with a bed and a desk.
Kitchen. A full kitchen with cookware means you can prepare your own meals, which saves significantly on the M&IE portion of your per diem.
Laundry. In-unit washer and dryer means you do not have to find a laundromat or use expensive hotel laundry service.
Workspace. A dedicated workspace with a desk, chair, and high-speed WiFi is standard in most furnished apartments.
Cost. Furnished apartments priced for 30-day stays are typically cheaper on a per-night basis than hotels, especially during peak season when Seattle hotel rates routinely exceed $250 per night.
What to Look For in GSA-Compliant Housing
When searching for furnished housing that fits within GSA per diem, there are several things to verify before booking:
Confirm the nightly rate is below the per diem ceiling. Many furnished housing providers price by the month. Divide the monthly rate by 30 to get the effective nightly rate, and confirm it falls below the GSA lodging ceiling for that season.
Verify what is included in the rate. Some providers quote a base rent and then add utility charges, WiFi fees, parking fees, or cleaning fees on top. These additional charges may push the effective rate above the per diem ceiling. Look for providers that include utilities and WiFi in the base rate.
Ask about invoice format. Government expense systems require specific documentation. Ask the housing provider whether they can provide itemized monthly invoices that clearly show the nightly rate, the dates of stay, and any applicable taxes.
Check for vendor registration. Housing providers who are registered on SAM.gov with a CAGE code are set up to work within the federal procurement system.
Furnished Housing Near VA Puget Sound and Seattle Federal Facilities
For contractors and federal employees working at VA Puget Sound, Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood offers some of the closest furnished housing options. The VA campus is accessible by Light Rail, and the surrounding neighborhood offers grocery stores, restaurants, and parks within walking distance.
Roundtop Rentals operates 8 furnished units in Beacon Hill, approximately 1.5 miles from the VA Puget Sound campus. All rates are priced below the GSA per diem lodging ceiling for both standard and peak seasons. T&A Investment Group LLC (operating as Roundtop Rentals) is registered on SAM.gov with an active CAGE code and FEMA certification.
Every unit includes all utilities, 940 Mbps WiFi, in-unit washer and dryer, a full kitchen, dedicated workspace, and smart keyless entry. Professional cleaning is available as an optional add-on. Month-to-month terms with no security deposit. Move-in within 48 hours.
For Eastside assignments near Microsoft, Amazon, or Overlake Medical Center, we also offer 2 furnished one-bedroom apartments in Bellevue with central A/C and dedicated parking.
Next Steps
If you are a government contractor or federal employee looking for per diem compliant housing in the Seattle area, contact Roundtop Rentals at admin@roundtop-rentals.com or (206) 801-6367 for current availability and rates.