The Short Answer
Comprehensive guide to the best states for travel nursing. Compare pay rates, demand, cost of living, taxes, and quality of life across all 50 states.
Read the full breakdown below for detailed analysis, examples, and actionable steps.
Where you choose to travel matters—a lot. The right state can mean higher pay, lower taxes, better quality of life, and more job opportunities. Here’s our comprehensive breakdown of the best states for travel nursing in 2026.
How We Ranked the States
We evaluated each state on five factors:
- Pay rates — Average weekly pay for travel nurses
- Job availability — Number and variety of open positions
- Cost of living — How far your money goes
- Tax burden — State income taxes
- Quality of life — Weather, activities, safety, healthcare
Top 10 Best States for Travel Nursing (2026)
1. California
Why it’s great: Highest pay rates in the country, massive job market, incredible diversity of assignments.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $3,200-4,500 |
| Job availability | Excellent |
| Cost of living | Very High |
| State income tax | 9.3-12.3% |
Best for: Maximizing raw income, diverse experiences, year-round good weather.
Challenges: High cost of living, competitive housing market, state income taxes.
Top cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento
2. Texas
Why it’s great: No state income tax, huge job market, affordable living, central location.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,600-3,400 |
| Job availability | Excellent |
| Cost of living | Moderate |
| State income tax | None |
Best for: Tax savings, affordable housing, variety of facilities.
Challenges: Hot summers, some rural assignments are very remote.
Top cities: Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio
3. Florida
Why it’s great: No state income tax, year-round warm weather, huge tourism and retirement population driving healthcare demand.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,400-3,200 |
| Job availability | Excellent |
| Cost of living | Moderate-High |
| State income tax | None |
Best for: Tax savings, beach lifestyle, snowbird season demand.
Challenges: Hurricane season, summer humidity, variable housing availability.
Top cities: Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville
4. Washington
Why it’s great: No state income tax, high pay rates, beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $3,000-3,800 |
| Job availability | Good |
| Cost of living | High (Seattle), Moderate elsewhere |
| State income tax | None |
Best for: High net pay after taxes, outdoor activities, tech-influenced healthcare systems.
Challenges: Rainy weather, expensive Seattle housing.
Top cities: Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver
5. Nevada
Why it’s great: No state income tax, high pay (Vegas market), affordable living outside Vegas.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,800-3,600 |
| Job availability | Good |
| Cost of living | Moderate |
| State income tax | None |
Best for: Tax-free income, entertainment options, desert climate lovers.
Challenges: Extreme summer heat, Vegas can be overstimulating.
Top cities: Las Vegas, Reno, Henderson
6. New York
Why it’s great: High pay rates, world-class medical facilities, cultural experiences.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $3,000-4,200 |
| Job availability | Excellent |
| Cost of living | Very High (NYC), Moderate upstate |
| State income tax | 4-10.9% |
Best for: Career prestige, major medical centers, cultural experiences.
Challenges: High taxes, expensive NYC housing, cold winters.
Top cities: New York City, Buffalo, Albany, Rochester
7. Arizona
Why it’s great: Low cost of living, growing healthcare market, winter warmth.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,500-3,200 |
| Job availability | Good |
| Cost of living | Moderate |
| State income tax | 2.5% (flat rate) |
Best for: Snowbirds, affordable living, outdoor activities.
Challenges: Brutal summer heat, limited nightlife in some areas.
Top cities: Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Mesa
8. Colorado
Why it’s great: Outdoor paradise, growing healthcare market, balanced quality of life.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,600-3,400 |
| Job availability | Good |
| Cost of living | High (Denver), Moderate elsewhere |
| State income tax | 4.4% (flat rate) |
Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts, ski season, mountain lifestyle.
Challenges: High Denver housing costs, altitude adjustment.
Top cities: Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins
9. Tennessee
Why it’s great: No state income tax on wages, affordable living, central location.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,400-3,000 |
| Job availability | Good |
| Cost of living | Low-Moderate |
| State income tax | None (on wages) |
Best for: Affordability, music scene (Nashville), southern hospitality.
Challenges: Humid summers, limited public transportation.
Top cities: Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga
10. Massachusetts
Why it’s great: World-renowned hospitals, excellent healthcare systems, New England charm.
| Factor | Rating |
|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $3,000-3,800 |
| Job availability | Good |
| Cost of living | High |
| State income tax | 5% (flat rate) |
Best for: Career building, prestigious facilities, fall foliage.
Challenges: High cost of living, harsh winters, difficult driving.
Top cities: Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge
Best States by Category
Highest Pay
- California ($3,200-4,500/week)
- New York ($3,000-4,200/week)
- Massachusetts ($3,000-3,800/week)
- Washington ($3,000-3,800/week)
- Oregon ($2,900-3,600/week)
No State Income Tax
- Texas
- Florida
- Washington
- Nevada
- Tennessee (no wage tax)
- Wyoming
- South Dakota
- Alaska
- New Hampshire (no wage tax)
Best Value (Pay vs. Cost of Living)
- Texas — High pay, low cost
- Tennessee — Moderate pay, very low cost
- Arizona — Good pay, moderate cost
- Nevada — High pay, moderate cost
- Georgia — Moderate pay, low cost
Most Job Opportunities
- California
- Texas
- Florida
- New York
- Pennsylvania
Best Quality of Life
- Colorado — Outdoor activities, healthy lifestyle
- Washington — Nature, progressive culture
- California — Weather, diversity, activities
- Hawaii — Paradise (if you can handle limited jobs)
- Arizona — Winter sunshine, outdoor activities
States to Consider Carefully
These states aren’t bad—but have factors to weigh:
Alaska
Pros: Very high pay, adventure, no state tax Cons: Isolation, extreme weather, limited housing, difficult travel
Hawaii
Pros: Paradise location, unique experience Cons: Limited jobs, very high cost of living, island isolation
Wyoming/Montana/Dakotas
Pros: No/low taxes, beautiful scenery Cons: Very rural, limited jobs, harsh winters
Louisiana/Mississippi
Pros: Low cost of living, unique culture Cons: Lower pay, humidity, fewer facilities
How to Choose Your State
Consider Your Priorities
If you want maximum take-home pay: → Texas, Florida, or Washington (no state tax + good pay)
If you want the highest raw income: → California or New York (highest gross pay)
If you want the lowest cost of living: → Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, or Georgia
If you want the best weather: → California, Florida, Arizona, or Hawaii
If you want outdoor activities: → Colorado, Washington, or California
If you want career prestige: → Massachusetts, New York, or California
Calculate Your True Net
Use our Travel Nurse Pay Calculator to compare take-home pay across states. Remember:
- High pay - high taxes - high living costs = what you actually keep
- A $3,500/week California contract might net less than a $2,800/week Texas contract
State-by-State Quick Reference
| State | Avg Weekly | Tax | COL | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $3,200-4,500 | High | Very High | Excellent |
| Texas | $2,600-3,400 | None | Moderate | Excellent |
| Florida | $2,400-3,200 | None | Moderate | Excellent |
| New York | $3,000-4,200 | High | Very High | Excellent |
| Washington | $3,000-3,800 | None | High | Good |
| Pennsylvania | $2,600-3,200 | 3% | Moderate | Excellent |
| Arizona | $2,500-3,200 | 2.5% | Moderate | Good |
| Colorado | $2,600-3,400 | 4.4% | High | Good |
| Nevada | $2,800-3,600 | None | Moderate | Good |
| Tennessee | $2,400-3,000 | None | Low | Good |
| Georgia | $2,400-3,000 | 5.75% | Moderate | Good |
| Massachusetts | $3,000-3,800 | 5% | High | Good |
| Oregon | $2,900-3,600 | 9% | High | Moderate |
| Ohio | $2,400-3,000 | 4% | Low | Good |
| Michigan | $2,400-3,000 | 4% | Moderate | Good |
2026 Trends by Region
West Coast
- Continued high demand, especially California
- Pay rates remaining strong
- Housing competition intense in major metros
Southwest
- Growing demand in Texas, Arizona
- New hospital construction driving jobs
- Winter snowbird season creates surge opportunities
Southeast
- Florida and Georgia seeing steady growth
- Lower pay but lower costs often balance out
- Hurricane season creates crisis opportunities
Northeast
- Consistent demand in major metros
- Winter weather impacts assignments
- Prestigious facilities for career building
Midwest
- Underrated opportunities in Ohio, Michigan
- Very affordable living
- Good work-life balance potential
Final Recommendations
New Travel Nurses
Start with states that offer:
- Good job availability (Texas, California, Florida)
- Supportive environments
- Reasonable housing costs
Experienced Travelers
Consider:
- High-paying markets (California, NY) with negotiation skills
- Tax-free states (Texas, Florida, Washington) for maximum savings
- Specialty-specific hubs (California for ICU, Texas for OR, etc.)
Maximizing Income
Focus on:
- No-tax states with decent pay
- Low cost of living areas
- Crisis/high-demand seasons
- Negotiating every contract
Work-Life Balance
Consider:
- Colorado for outdoors
- Tennessee for affordability and culture
- Arizona for winter sunshine
- Avoiding the highest-stress markets
Related Resources
- Travel Nurse Pay Calculator — Compare take-home pay by state
- Compare States Tool — Side-by-side state comparison
- State Tax Guide — Understanding state taxes
- Browse Pay by State — See all state pay data
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