Travel Nurse Pay in Chicago, Illinois: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates
Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in Chicago.
Last updated: April 5, 2026
Economics Verdict
Profitable: Chicago Travel Nursing
GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)
$1,281/wk
≈ $5,546.73/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$1,700/mo
Margin
+$3,846.73/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 4.95% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$58.89
Based on 36 hours in IL.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,120
Taxable Weekly Income
$720
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$208
True Net Weekly Pay
$1,912
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Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$24,850
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$49,701
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$99,401
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$1,912
per week
Taxes
$208
per week
Total Gross: $2,120 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$1,000
≈ $4,330/month
Est. 1BR Rent in Illinois
$1,200
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$3,130
Your stipend covers rent with $3,130 left over each month.
Find apartments under $1,200/month in Chicago:
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Cost of Living Analysis in Illinois
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. Illinois's cost of living is lower than the national average by 5.7 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
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 $2,080/week in Illinois
Staff vs. Travel Nurse in Chicago, Illinois
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)
$3,601
Weekly Take-Home
$3,152
Annual Net (~48 weeks)
$151,283
Travel nursing wins by $101,412/year
That's $2,193/week difference in take-home pay
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Travel Nurse Pay in Chicago
Average Hourly Rate
$52/hr
Average Weekly Pay
$2,080
GSA Lodging Rate
$183/night
GSA Meal Rate
$64/day
Cost of Living in Chicago
Cost of Living Index
106.9 (Above National Average)
Studio
$1400/mo
1 Bedroom
$1700/mo
2 Bedroom
$2300/mo
Top Hospitals in Chicago
- 🏥 Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- 🏥 Rush University Medical Center
- 🏥 University of Chicago Medical Center
Specialty Pay in Chicago
Click any specialty for detailed pay, certifications, and hospital listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make in Chicago, Illinois?
Travel nurses in Chicago typically earn between $47 and $62 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $52/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $59-74 per hour.
What are the GSA rates for Chicago, Illinois?
The GSA per diem rates for Chicago are: Lodging: $183/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 Chicago?
The cost of living index in Chicago is 106.9, which is above the national average. Average rent ranges from $1400 for a studio to $2300 for a two-bedroom apartment.
What hospitals hire travel nurses in Chicago?
Top hospitals in Chicago that frequently hire travel nurses include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Rush University Medical Center, University of Chicago Medical Center, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.
What specialties are in demand in Chicago?
The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in Chicago include ICU, ER, Med-Surg. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.
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