Best Cities for Travel Nurses in 2025: Pay, Cost of Living & Quality of Life

Choosing the right city for your travel nursing assignment can significantly impact your earnings, lifestyle, and career growth. This guide compares the best cities for travel nurses based on pay, cost of living, and quality of life.

How We Rank Cities

We evaluate cities based on:

1. Pay Rates - Average hourly rates and weekly compensation
2. Cost of Living - True discretionary income after rent
3. Job Opportunities - Demand for travel nurses
4. Quality of Life - Weather, amenities, culture
5. Tax Benefits - State tax rates and tax-friendliness

Top 10 Best Cities for Travel Nurses

1. Dallas, Texas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $51/hr average | COL Index: 101.6 | Average Rent: $1,400/mo

Why It’s Great:

• No state income tax
• Good pay rates
• Moderate cost of living
• High demand for travel nurses
• Great hospitals and facilities

Best For: Nurses wanting good pay with reasonable costs

View: Dallas Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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2. Phoenix, Arizona ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $51/hr average | COL Index: 108.1 | Average Rent: $1,400/mo

Why It’s Great:

• Excellent weather year-round
• Good pay rates
• Moderate cost of living
• Growing healthcare market
• Outdoor recreation opportunities

Best For: Nurses who love sunshine and outdoor activities

View: Phoenix Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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3. Atlanta, Georgia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $52/hr average | COL Index: 108.1 | Average Rent: $1,400/mo

Why It’s Great:

• Strong healthcare market
• Good pay rates
• Moderate cost of living
• Cultural attractions
• Major airport hub (easy travel)

Best For: Nurses wanting city amenities with reasonable costs

View: Atlanta Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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4. Seattle, Washington ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $58/hr average | COL Index: 172.3 | Average Rent: $2,100/mo

Why It’s Great:

• Very high pay rates
• No state income tax
• Beautiful location
• Excellent healthcare facilities
• Outdoor recreation paradise

Considerations: High cost of living, but pay usually compensates

Best For: Nurses who prioritize high pay and love the Pacific Northwest

View: Seattle Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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5. Denver, Colorado ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $54/hr average | COL Index: 128.7 | Average Rent: $1,700/mo

Why It’s Great:

• Good pay rates
• Beautiful location
• Outdoor recreation
• Growing healthcare market
• Moderate-high cost of living (manageable with pay)

Best For: Active nurses who love the mountains

View: Denver Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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6. Charlotte, North Carolina ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $50/hr average | COL Index: 99.6 | Average Rent: $1,400/mo

Why It’s Great:

• Good pay with low cost of living
• Strong healthcare market
• Growing city
• Good weather
• Affordable lifestyle

Best For: Nurses wanting maximum savings potential

View: Charlotte Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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7. Austin, Texas ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $52/hr average | COL Index: 119.3 | Average Rent: $1,500/mo

Why It’s Great:

• No state income tax
• Good pay rates
• Vibrant city culture
• Growing healthcare market
• Tech hub with amenities

Best For: Younger nurses who want city life

View: Austin Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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8. Portland, Oregon ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $55/hr average | COL Index: 130.8 | Average Rent: $1,700/mo

Why It’s Great:

• Good pay rates
• No sales tax
• Beautiful location
• Great food scene
• Progressive healthcare policies

Considerations: Higher state income tax, but good pay compensates

Best For: Nurses who value quality of life and culture

View: Portland Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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9. Tampa, Florida ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $51/hr average | COL Index: 103.2 | Average Rent: $1,400/mo

Why It’s Great:

• No state income tax
• Good weather year-round
• Beaches and recreation
• Moderate cost of living
• High demand for travel nurses

Best For: Nurses who love warm weather and beaches

View: Tampa Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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10. Nashville, Tennessee ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pay: $50/hr average | COL Index: 101.3 | Average Rent: $1,400/mo

Why It’s Great:

• No state income tax (on wages)
• Good pay with low cost of living
• Vibrant music and culture scene
• Strong healthcare market
• Great for savings

Best For: Nurses who want good pay with savings potential

View: Nashville Travel Nurse Pay Guide

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Best Cities by Category

Highest Paying Cities

1. San Francisco, CA - $65+/hr (very high COL)
2. New York, NY - $62+/hr (very high COL)
3. Boston, MA - $60+/hr (very high COL)
4. Seattle, WA - $58/hr (high COL, no state tax)
5. Los Angeles, CA - $58/hr (very high COL)

Strategy: These cities offer highest pay but require careful cost analysis. Use our cost of living calculator to see true discretionary income.

Best Value Cities (Pay vs. Cost of Living)

1. Dallas, TX - Great pay, moderate COL, no state tax
2. Houston, TX - Good pay, low COL, no state tax
3. Charlotte, NC - Good pay, low COL
4. Phoenix, AZ - Good pay, moderate COL
5. Tulsa, OK - Moderate pay, very low COL

Strategy: These cities offer the best balance - good pay with reasonable costs.

Best for Savings

1. Tulsa, OK - Low COL, good pay relative to costs
2. Oklahoma City, OK - Low COL, moderate pay
3. Kansas City, MO - Low COL, good pay
4. Memphis, TN - Low COL, no state tax on wages
5. Wichita, KS - Very low COL

Strategy: Perfect for aggressive savings goals. Your pay goes furthest here.

Best Weather Cities

1. Phoenix, AZ - Year-round sunshine
2. San Diego, CA - Perfect weather
3. Tampa, FL - Warm year-round
4. Austin, TX - Mild winters
5. Las Vegas, NV - Sunny and warm

Best Cultural Cities

1. New York, NY - Everything
2. Los Angeles, CA - Entertainment capital
3. Chicago, IL - Great food and culture
4. Austin, TX - Music and tech scene
5. Nashville, TN - Music city

How to Choose Your City

Consider Your Goals

Maximize Earnings:

• Focus on high-paying cities (CA, NY, MA, WA)
• Factor in cost of living
• Use our cost of living calculator

Maximize Savings:

• Choose low COL cities (TX, OK, MO, TN)
• Look for no state income tax
• Good pay relative to costs

Quality of Life:

• Consider weather preferences
• Think about hobbies and interests
• Factor in proximity to family/friends

Career Growth:

• Target major medical centers
• Choose cities with teaching hospitals
• Consider specialty opportunities

Use Our Tools

1. Compare Cities:

   • City Pay Guides - Detailed city-by-city comparison
   • State Pay Guides - State-level comparison
   • Compare States Tool - Side-by-side comparison

2. Calculate True Discretionary Income:

   • Pay Calculator with Cost of Living - See your true take-home pay
   • Factor in rent and all expenses
   • Compare contracts accurately

3. Research:

   • Check average pay rates
   • Review cost of living data
   • Read city-specific guides

Conclusion

The best city for travel nurses depends on your priorities. Whether you want maximum earnings, maximum savings, or the best quality of life, there’s a perfect city for you.

Key Takeaways:

• High-paying cities (CA, NY, MA) require careful cost analysis
• Best value cities (TX, AZ, NC) offer great pay with reasonable costs
• Low COL cities (OK, MO, KS) are perfect for savings goals
• Use our city pay guides to compare in detail
• Calculate true discretionary income, not just gross pay

Resources:

• City Pay Guides - Compare all major cities
• Pay Calculator - Calculate your true take-home pay
• Cost of Living Guide - Detailed cost analysis
• Compare States Tool - Side-by-side state comparison

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Related Resources:

• State Pay Guides - Compare pay by state
• Specialty Guides - Compare pay by specialty
• Pay Calculator - Calculate your take-home pay
• Housing Guide - Finding housing in your city

Last updated: January 2025