Travel Nurse Pay in San Diego, California: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates
Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in San Diego.
Last updated: April 5, 2026
Economics Verdict
Profitable: San Diego Travel Nursing
GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)
$1,624/wk
≈ $7,031.92/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$2,200/mo
Margin
+$4,831.92/mo
Stipend covers rent
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 13.3% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$58.89
Based on 36 hours in CA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,120
Taxable Weekly Income
$720
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$269
True Net Weekly Pay
$1,851
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$24,069
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$48,137
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$96,275
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$1,851
per week
Taxes
$269
per week
Total Gross: $2,120 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$1,000
≈ $4,330/month
Est. 1BR Rent in California
$2,300
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,030
Your stipend covers rent with $2,030 left over each month.
Find apartments under $2,300/month in San Francisco:
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Cost of Living Analysis in California
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. California's cost of living is higher than the national average by 51.7 points.
💡 High cost of living area. Ensure your pay compensates for the increased expenses.
Housing Cost: Very High
Utilities: High
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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Is this pay package fair?
Based on $2,280/week in California
Staff vs. Travel Nurse in San Diego, California
Side-by-side budget comparison for 2026. Which employment mode wins?
Staff Nurse
Weekly Gross
$1,476
Weekly Take-Home
$1,063
Annual Net (52 weeks)
$55,261
Travel Nurse
WINNERWeekly Gross (incl. stipends)
$4,194
Weekly Take-Home
$3,702
Annual Net (~48 weeks)
$177,673
Travel nursing wins by $122,412/year
That's $2,639/week difference in take-home pay
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Travel Nurse Pay in San Diego
Average Hourly Rate
$57/hr
Average Weekly Pay
$2,280
GSA Lodging Rate
$232/night
GSA Meal Rate
$74/day
Cost of Living in San Diego
Cost of Living Index
160.1 (Above National Average)
Studio
$1950/mo
1 Bedroom
$2200/mo
2 Bedroom
$3000/mo
Top Hospitals in San Diego
- 🏥 UC San Diego Health
- 🏥 Scripps Health
- 🏥 Sharp HealthCare
Specialty Pay in San Diego
Click any specialty for detailed pay, certifications, and hospital listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make in San Diego, California?
Travel nurses in San Diego typically earn between $52 and $67 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $57/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $66-81 per hour.
What are the GSA rates for San Diego, California?
The GSA per diem rates for San Diego are: Lodging: $232/night, Meals: $74/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).
What is the cost of living in San Diego?
The cost of living index in San Diego is 160.1, which is above the national average. Average rent ranges from $1950 for a studio to $3000 for a two-bedroom apartment.
What hospitals hire travel nurses in San Diego?
Top hospitals in San Diego that frequently hire travel nurses include UC San Diego Health, Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.
What specialties are in demand in San Diego?
The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in San Diego include ICU, ER, OR. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.
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