Housing Comparison
Furnished Finder vs. Airbnb: Best Housing for Travel Nurses in 2025
Finding the right housing is crucial for travel nurses. Two popular options are Furnished Finder and Airbnb, but which is better for travel nursing assignments? This comprehensive comparison breaks down costs, lease flexibility, and travel nurse-specific features to help you maximize your housing stipend.
Quick Comparison: Furnished Finder vs. Airbnb
| Factor | Furnished Finder | Airbnb |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Travel Nurses & Professionals | General Travelers |
| Average Monthly Cost | $800-1,500/month | $1,200-2,500/month |
| Lease Length | 1-12 months (perfect for 13-week assignments) | Days to weeks (monthly discounts for 28+ days) |
| Furnished | Yes (fully furnished) | Varies by listing |
| Utilities Included | Often included | Sometimes included |
| Platform Fees | No platform fees | 10-15% service fees |
| Cleaning Fees | Usually none or minimal | $50-150 per stay |
| Travel Nurse Friendly | Yes (designed for professionals) | Varies |
| Cancellation Policy | Flexible (assignment changes understood) | Varies by host (often strict) |
Cost Comparison: Furnished Finder vs. Airbnb
Furnished Finder Pricing
Travel Nurse-Optimized Pricing
- Average Monthly Rent: $800-1,500/month
- Typical Lease: 1-3 months (perfect for 13-week assignments)
- Utilities: Often included in rent
- Furnishings: Fully furnished apartments/houses
- Security Deposit: Usually 1 month's rent
- Platform Fees: None - you deal directly with landlords
- Cleaning Fees: Usually none or minimal
Monthly Savings vs. Airbnb: $400-1,000/month
Example Furnished Finder Rental:
- Monthly Rent: $1,200/month
- Utilities: Included
- Furnishings: Fully furnished
- Security Deposit: $1,200 (refundable)
- Total Monthly Cost: $1,200
Airbnb Pricing
General Traveler Pricing
- Average Monthly Rent: $1,200-2,500/month (with monthly discount)
- Typical Stay: Flexible, but monthly discounts require 28+ days
- Utilities: Usually included
- Furnishings: Fully furnished
- Cleaning Fees: Often $50-150 per stay
- Platform Fees: 10-15% service fees on top of rent
- Security Deposit: Varies by host
Example Airbnb Rental:
- Monthly Rent: $1,800/month (with monthly discount)
- Service Fees: $270 (15%)
- Cleaning Fee: $100 (one-time)
- Utilities: Included
- Total First Month: $2,170
- Total Subsequent Months: $2,070
💰 Money-Saving Tip: If your housing stipend is $1,400/week ($6,067/month), choosing Furnished Finder at $1,200/month leaves you with $4,867/month in tax-free profit. Choosing Airbnb at $2,070/month leaves you with $3,997/month. That's a difference of $870/month in tax-free income!
Winner: Furnished Finder is significantly cheaper for travel nurses, saving $400-1,000/month compared to Airbnb.
Lease Flexibility: Furnished Finder vs. Airbnb
Furnished Finder Flexibility
Travel Nurse-Friendly Policies
- ✅ Designed for 1-12 month leases
- ✅ Travel nurse-friendly cancellation policies
- ✅ Many landlords understand assignment extensions/cancellations
- ✅ No platform fees or penalties for changes
- ✅ Direct communication with landlords for flexibility
- ✅ Often willing to work with assignment start date changes
- ✅ Understanding of travel nurse lifestyle and needs
Airbnb Flexibility
Standard Travel Policies
- ✅ Monthly discounts available (28+ days)
- ⚠️ Cancellation policies vary by host (often strict)
- ⚠️ Platform fees apply even for cancellations
- ⚠️ Less flexible for assignment changes
- ⚠️ May charge penalties for early departure
- ✅ Good for very short-term stays (under 1 month)
- ⚠️ Less understanding of travel nurse needs
Winner: Furnished Finder offers more flexibility for travel nurses, with policies designed around assignment changes and extensions.
Location Availability: Furnished Finder vs. Airbnb
Furnished Finder Coverage
- Focus: Major travel nurse markets and cities with hospitals
- Coverage: Most major US cities with strong travel nurse presence
- Quality: Listings specifically for travel nurses and professionals
- Availability: Good coverage in high-demand areas (California, Texas, Florida, New York, etc.)
Airbnb Coverage
- Focus: General travel destinations
- Coverage: Extensive coverage in all major cities
- Quality: Mixed - some suitable for longer stays, many designed for short-term
- Availability: Excellent coverage everywhere, but many listings not ideal for 3-month stays
Winner: Tie - Both have good coverage, but Furnished Finder is more targeted for travel nurses, while Airbnb has more overall listings.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Furnished Finder If:
- ✅ You want to maximize your housing stipend
- ✅ You need a 1-3 month lease (perfect for 13-week assignments)
- ✅ You want travel nurse-specific accommodations
- ✅ You prefer dealing directly with landlords
- ✅ You need flexibility for assignment changes
- ✅ You want to avoid platform fees
- ✅ You value cost savings ($400-1,000/month)
Choose Airbnb If:
- ✅ You need very short-term housing (under 1 month)
- ✅ You want more amenities (pools, gyms, etc.)
- ✅ You prefer the Airbnb platform and review system
- ✅ You're okay paying a premium for convenience
- ✅ You want extensive location options
- ✅ You need immediate booking and flexibility
Real-World Example: Maximizing Your Housing Stipend
13-Week Assignment Housing Comparison
Scenario: You have a $1,400/week housing stipend ($6,067/month) for a 13-week assignment in San Diego, CA.
| Factor | Furnished Finder | Airbnb |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Rent | $1,200 | $1,800 |
| Service Fees | $0 | $270/month |
| Cleaning Fee | $0 | $100 (one-time) |
| Total 3-Month Cost | $3,600 | $5,710 |
| Housing Stipend (3 months) | $18,200 | |
| Tax-Free Profit | $14,600 | $12,490 |
| Difference | Furnished Finder saves $2,110 over 3 months | |
Bottom Line: Furnished Finder vs. Airbnb
For most travel nurses, Furnished Finder is the better choice because:
- Cost Savings: $400-1,000/month less than Airbnb
- Travel Nurse Focused: Designed specifically for your needs
- Flexibility: Better policies for assignment changes
- No Platform Fees: Direct landlord communication saves money
- Maximize Stipend: More tax-free profit from your housing stipend
Choose Airbnb if you need very short-term housing (under 1 month) or want premium amenities and are willing to pay extra.
Next Steps: Find Your Perfect Housing
Calculate Your Housing Savings
Use our Travel Nurse Pay Calculator to see how housing costs affect your take-home pay. Factor in your housing stipend and compare different housing options to maximize your tax-free income.
Related Resources:
- Travel Nurse Housing Guide - Complete guide to finding housing
- Cost of Living Guide - Understand housing costs by city
- State Pay Guides - See average rent by state
- Weekly Stipends vs. Monthly Rent - Maximize your stipend
Related Articles:
- Airbnb vs. VRBO: Travel Nurse Housing Comparison
- Travel Nurse Housing Guide: Complete 2025 Guide
- Maximizing Your Travel Nurse Housing Stipend
- Travel Nurse Cost of Living Guide
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