Weekly Stipends vs. Monthly Rent: Maximizing Travel Nurse Housing Budget

Weekly Stipends vs. Monthly Rent: Maximizing Travel Nurse Housing Budget

Travel nurses receive weekly housing stipends but pay monthly rent. Here’s how to maximize your stipend and minimize costs.

Quick Comparison

The Math

Example:

• Weekly Stipend: $1,200/week
• Monthly Stipend: $5,200/month (4.33 weeks)
• Monthly Rent: $1,200/month
• Monthly Profit: $4,000/month tax-free

If rent exceeds stipend:

• Weekly Stipend: $1,000/week
• Monthly Stipend: $4,330/month
• Monthly Rent: $1,500/month
• Monthly Profit: $2,830/month tax-free

Maximizing Your Stipend

Strategies:

1. Find rent below stipend: Use Furnished Finder, negotiate monthly rates
2. Share housing: Split costs with another travel nurse
3. Extended stay hotels: Often cheaper than Airbnb for monthly stays
4. Negotiate: Many landlords offer discounts for 3-month leases

Which Should You Prioritize?

Prioritize Lower Rent if:

• You want to maximize take-home pay
• You’re comfortable with basic accommodations
• You want to save more money

Accept Higher Rent if:

• You value location and amenities
• Your stipend covers it comfortably
• You prefer quality of life

Bottom Line

The goal is to keep monthly rent below your monthly stipend amount. Every dollar saved on rent is tax-free profit. Use our travel nurse pay calculator to see how housing costs affect your take-home pay.