Travel Nurse Pay in Durango, Colorado: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates
Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in Durango.
Last updated: April 5, 2026
Economics Verdict
Profitable: Durango Travel Nursing
GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)
$840/wk
≈ $3,637.2/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$1,300/mo
Margin
+$2,337.2/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 4.4% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$58.89
Based on 36 hours in CO.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,120
Taxable Weekly Income
$720
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$204
True Net Weekly Pay
$1,916
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$24,902
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$49,804
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$99,607
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$1,916
per week
Taxes
$204
per week
Total Gross: $2,120 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$1,000
≈ $4,330/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Colorado
$1,400
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,930
Your stipend covers rent with $2,930 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,400/month in Denver:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Colorado
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Colorado's cost of living is higher than the national average by 5.1 points.
Housing Cost: High
Utilities: Moderate
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 $2,040/week in Colorado
Staff vs. Travel Nurse in Durango, Colorado
Side-by-side budget comparison for 2026. Which employment mode wins?
Staff Nurse
Weekly Gross
$1,332
Weekly Take-Home
$959
Annual Net (52 weeks)
$49,870
Travel Nurse
WINNERWeekly Gross (incl. stipends)
$3,124
Weekly Take-Home
$2,683
Annual Net (~48 weeks)
$128,801
Travel nursing wins by $78,931/year
That's $1,724/week difference in take-home pay
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Travel Nurse Pay in Durango
Average Hourly Rate
$51/hr
Average Weekly Pay
$2,040
GSA Lodging Rate
$120/night
GSA Meal Rate
$64/day
Cost of Living in Durango
Cost of Living Index
108.5 (Above National Average)
Studio
$1100/mo
1 Bedroom
$1300/mo
2 Bedroom
$1700/mo
Top Hospitals in Durango
- 🏥 Mercy Regional Medical
- 🏥 Southwest Health System
- 🏥 Pagosa Springs Medical
Specialty Pay in Durango
Click any specialty for detailed pay, certifications, and hospital listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make in Durango, Colorado?
Travel nurses in Durango typically earn between $46 and $61 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $51/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $56-71 per hour.
What are the GSA rates for Durango, Colorado?
The GSA per diem rates for Durango are: Lodging: $120/night, Meals: $64/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 Durango?
The cost of living index in Durango is 108.5, which is above the national average. Average rent ranges from $1100 for a studio to $1700 for a two-bedroom apartment.
What hospitals hire travel nurses in Durango?
Top hospitals in Durango that frequently hire travel nurses include Mercy Regional Medical, Southwest Health System, Pagosa Springs Medical, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.
What specialties are in demand in Durango?
The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in Durango include Med-Surg, ER, ICU. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.
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