Travel Nurse Housing Tips 2026: How to Find Affordable, Safe Housing

Finding housing is one of the most stressful parts of travel nursing. Get it wrong, and you’ll blow through your stipend and hate your assignment. Get it right, and you’ll pocket extra savings while living comfortably. Here’s everything I’ve learned after 30+ assignments.

Housing Options for Travel Nurses

1. Furnished Finder

Best for: Most travel nurses, especially first-timers

Furnished Finder is purpose-built for travel nurses. Landlords understand 13-week leases and travel nurse needs.

Pros:

• Landlords expect short-term leases
• Many nurse-friendly properties
• Often utilities included
• Verified listings
• Can negotiate

Cons:

• Smaller inventory in rural areas
• Quality varies significantly
• Photos can be misleading

Pro tip: Message hosts directly with your start date and contract length. Many will offer discounts for certain dates.

Average cost: $1,200-2,500/month depending on location

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2. Airbnb/VRBO

Best for: Expensive markets, short assignments, unknown areas

Short-term rentals work well for the first few weeks while you explore, or for entire assignments in expensive cities where monthly rates are competitive.

Pros:

• Fully furnished and equipped
• Flexible dates
• Reviews from other travelers
• Easy booking process
• Cancel policies are clear

Cons:

• Expensive for long stays
• Cleaning fees add up
• Some don’t allow 30+ day stays
• Can feel impersonal

Pro tip: Look for “monthly stay discounts” of 20-50%. Message hosts directly to negotiate—many will lower prices for travel nurses who are rarely home and low-maintenance.

Average cost: $1,500-3,500/month (with monthly discount)

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3. Extended Stay Hotels

Best for: Last-minute assignments, areas with no other options

Extended stay hotels (Extended Stay America, Homewood Suites, Residence Inn) offer weekly rates with kitchenettes.

Pros:

• Easy booking, no lease
• Housekeeping included
• Utilities included
• Can cancel easily
• Familiar standards

Cons:

• Often most expensive option
• Small living spaces
• No community feel
• Parking fees at some locations

Pro tip: Call the hotel directly for “weekly rates” or “travel nurse rates”—they’re often better than online pricing. AAA and AARP memberships can save 10-15%.

Average cost: $1,800-3,500/month

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4. Corporate Housing

Best for: High-cost cities, luxury seekers

Corporate housing provides furnished apartments typically used by business travelers. Higher-end but often competitive with other options in expensive markets.

Pros:

• High-quality furnishings
• Professional management
• Utilities often included
• 24/7 support

Cons:

• Longer minimum stays (often 30+ days)
• Less flexible
• Can feel sterile
• Premium pricing

Average cost: $2,500-4,500/month

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5. Room Rentals/Roommates

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers, social nurses

Rent a room in someone’s home through Furnished Finder, Facebook groups, or Craigslist.

Pros:

• Often cheapest option
• Instant community
• Usually furnished
• Flexible terms

Cons:

• Less privacy
• Roommate compatibility issues
• Shared spaces
• House rules to follow

Pro tip: Facebook groups like “Travel Nurses & Allies” often have room listings. Local travel nurse Facebook groups are gold.

Average cost: $600-1,200/month

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6. RV/Van Life

Best for: Adventurous travelers, maximum savings

Some nurses travel in RVs or converted vans, staying at campgrounds or hospital-approved parking.

Pros:

• Near-zero housing cost (after initial investment)
• Ultimate flexibility
• Bring your “home” with you
• Community of RV travelers

Cons:

• Large upfront investment
• Maintenance and gas costs
• Not suitable everywhere
• Campground availability

Pro tip: Some hospitals have RV parking on-site. Ask your recruiter!

Average cost: $400-800/month (campground fees + utilities)

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How to Find Housing: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Know Your Budget

Calculate your maximum housing cost:

1. Weekly housing stipend × 4.33 = Monthly stipend
2. Aim to spend 80-90% of stipend on housing
3. Leave buffer for unexpected costs

Example:

• Stipend: $1,400/week × 4.33 = $6,062/month
• Target housing: $4,800-5,500/month
• You’d pocket $500-1,200/month in a reasonable market

Step 2: Research the Area

Before searching:

1. Google Maps the hospital address
2. Check neighborhoods within 15-30 min commute
3. Look at crime stats (NeighborhoodScout, SpotCrime)
4. Join local travel nurse Facebook groups
5. Ask your recruiter or other travelers

Step 3: Start Searching 3-4 Weeks Out

Search order:

1. Furnished Finder (best for travel nurses)
2. Local Facebook groups
3. Airbnb with monthly discount filter
4. Corporate housing sites
5. Extended stay hotels (backup)

Step 4: Verify Before Committing

Red flags:

• Won’t video call or show ID
• Wants payment outside the platform
• Price is way below market rate
• Pressure to decide immediately
• Unclear lease terms

Verification steps:

• Google the address
• Video tour the property
• Talk to the landlord by phone
• Check reviews or references
• Read the full lease

Step 5: Secure the Housing

Once you’ve found the right place:

1. Get everything in writing
2. Pay through secure methods (platform, check)
3. Document move-in condition (photos/video)
4. Save all communication
5. Get landlord’s contact info

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Housing Cost by City (2026)

Key insight: Expensive coastal cities often mean negative housing arbitrage. Consider lower-cost markets for better savings.

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Money-Saving Tips

1. Negotiate Everything

Most landlords will negotiate, especially for:

• Longer stays (13+ weeks)
• Off-season timing
• Paying upfront
• Flexible move-in dates

Script: “I’m a travel nurse with a 13-week contract. I’m looking for housing under $X. Would you consider that for a reliable, low-maintenance tenant?“

2. Extend Contracts

Each new assignment = new housing search, deposits, and setup costs. Extending saves:

• Security deposit (one-time vs. multiple)
• Move-in costs
• Time and stress

3. Consider Roommates

Splitting a 2-bedroom is often cheaper than a 1-bedroom alone, especially in expensive markets.

4. Use Rewards Programs

• Book hotels on points
• Use credit card travel credits
• Extended stay loyalty programs offer discounts

5. House-Sit or Stay with Family

If you can stay rent-free between assignments or during assignments near home, you keep 100% of your housing stipend.

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Avoiding Housing Scams

Common scams:

• “Landlord is overseas” and can’t meet
• Wants wire transfer or gift cards
• Price too good to be true
• Listing stolen from legitimate site
• Pressure to pay before seeing

Protection strategies:

1. Never pay before video tour + verification
2. Use platform payment systems (Furnished Finder, Airbnb)
3. Google search the listing photos
4. Verify landlord owns the property (county records)
5. Trust your gut—if it feels off, walk away

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What to Look For in Housing

Must-Haves

• Safe neighborhood
• Reasonable commute (under 30 min)
• Reliable internet (for charting, streaming)
• Basic kitchen for meal prep
• Washer/dryer access
• Parking (if you have a car)
• Month-to-month or 13-week lease option

Nice-to-Haves

• Furnished (saves hassle)
• Utilities included
• Pet-friendly (if applicable)
• Gym or fitness access
• Near grocery stores
• Good cell reception

Red Flags

• High crime neighborhood
• Landlord unresponsive before move-in
• No lease or vague terms
• Pest issues (check reviews)
• Major deferred maintenance

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Final Tips

1. Start early — Good housing goes fast in popular areas
2. Have a backup plan — Book refundable hotel for first week if needed
3. Budget conservatively — Things always cost more than expected
4. Document everything — Photos at move-in protect your deposit
5. Build relationships — Great landlords lead to repeat housing

Housing is one of the biggest factors in your travel nursing success. Take the time to find the right place, and you’ll thank yourself throughout your assignment.

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Related Resources

• Travel Nurse Pay Calculator — See how housing costs affect your take-home pay
• Assignment Cost Calculator — Calculate true assignment profit
• First Time Travel Nurse Checklist — Complete preparation guide