Travel Nurse Pay in New York, New York: 2026 Cost of Living & GSA Rates

Economic analysis: GSA housing caps, average rent, and profitability verdict for travel nurses in New York.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Economics Verdict

Profitable: New York Travel Nursing

GSA Housing Cap (Weekly)

$1,813/wk

≈ $7,850.29/mo

Avg Rent (1BR)

$3,000/mo

Margin

+$4,850.29/mo

Stipend covers rent

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for New York ($1,050/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate34.9%
Federal: 24%
State: 10.9%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 10.9% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$58.89

Based on 36 hours in NY.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,120

Taxable Weekly Income

$720

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$251

True Net Weekly Pay

$1,869

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$24,293

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$48,587

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$97,173

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$1,869

per week

Taxes

$251

per week

Total Gross: $2,120 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$1,000

$4,330/month

Est. 1BR Rent in New York

$2,000

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,330

Your stipend covers rent with $2,330 left over each month.

Find apartments under $2,000/month in New York City:

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Cost of Living Analysis in New York

Monthly Net Income:$8,092
Average 1BR Rent:$2,000
True Discretionary Income:$6,092

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:139.1

National average = 100. New York's cost of living is higher than the national average by 39.1 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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Travel Nurse Pay in New York

Average Hourly Rate

$62/hr

Average Weekly Pay

$2,480

GSA Lodging Rate

$259/night

GSA Meal Rate

$79/day

Cost of Living in New York

Cost of Living Index

187.2 (Above National Average)

Studio

$2500/mo

1 Bedroom

$3000/mo

2 Bedroom

$4200/mo

Top Hospitals in New York

  • 🏥 NYU Langone Medical Center
  • 🏥 Mount Sinai Hospital
  • 🏥 NewYork-Presbyterian

In-Demand Specialties

ICU ER Cardiac

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do travel nurses make in New York, New York?

Travel nurses in New York typically earn between $57 and $72 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $62/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $71-86 per hour.

What are the GSA rates for New York, New York?

The GSA per diem rates for New York are: Lodging: $259/night, Meals: $79/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 New York?

The cost of living index in New York is 187.2, which is above the national average. Average rent ranges from $2500 for a studio to $4200 for a two-bedroom apartment.

What hospitals hire travel nurses in New York?

Top hospitals in New York that frequently hire travel nurses include NYU Langone Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian, and others. These facilities offer competitive pay rates and excellent working conditions for travel nurses.

What specialties are in demand in New York?

The most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in New York include ICU, ER, Cardiac. These specialties typically offer higher pay rates and more contract opportunities.

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Resources for New York