How much do travel nurses pay for rent?
Do they even pay rent?
Well, the answer to this depends on many factors such as location, amenities included, and most importantly, how much you’re getting paid.
Finding a place to live is the second most stressful part of travel nursing — with finding a job being the first, and packing the essentials being third.
Whether you’re an experienced travel nurse or want to become one, understanding the ins and outs of housing costs is crucial to keeping your finances in check.
From navigating your housing stipend to picking a location to choosing a travel nurse housing website, I will walk you through how a career travel nurse decides how much to spend on rent.
Check out my post on the ultimate guide to finding travel nurse housing for a more in-depth look on the matter.
How Much Do Traveling Nurses Pay For Rent: The Basics
Many factors go into deciding how much a travel nurse should spend on housing, but the most important one is how much you are getting paid.
The general rule is to spend no more than one week of take-home pay on rent. This means one week of stipends plus one week of post-tax hourly pay.
All travel nurse assignments pay differently, as well as the amount of the housing stipend you receive which is based on the job’s location.
Besides pay, the location, type of housing, amenities, and length of stay are all considered when deciding how much you want to spend on housing.
Housing Stipends
Travel nurse housing stipends are a standard part of the compensation package.
Knowing what you’re entitled to and how to use them effectively to offset the costs of your housing is important to understand.
Travel nurse housing stipends play a significant role when choosing a travel nurse’s assignment. Instead of being provided with company housing, we nurses receive a housing stipend to pay for our accommodations.
The stipend amount can vary depending on the location of the assignment and the cost of housing in the area.
The maximum amount that can be provided for housing stipends is usually determined by GSA rates.
New travel nurses may not be as familiar with what an average housing would cost in a given area so having a monthly figure provided as a housing stipend is one way to assist with paying for your housing.
Luckily, there is a website available that says just exactly what the housing (and meals) stipend should be — and anyone can look it up.
The website is GSA.gov and looking up your daily stipend amount is super simple.
All you do is enter the state and city that you’ll be working in, select the current year, and then you get your daily stipend rates. All you do after that is multiply the daily rate by 7 to see what you will be getting paid weekly.
Now, your contract should have this number already calculated for you, but I recommend ALWAYS doing your own research and making sure that one, the number is accurate, and two, you are getting the maximum amount allowed.
Factors Affecting Rent Costs
For the traveling nurse, the cost of renting a place isn’t as straightforward as it would be for a traditional, long-term tenant.
Several key factors influence the ultimate price tag:
- Duration of the assignment: In most cases, longer assignments provide more leverage to negotiate a lower rental rate.
- Location: Rent costs can vary greatly from state to state and city to city. For example, New York City is known for its high rental prices, while the cost of renting in a smaller rural town may be significantly lower. It’s essential to research the average rent costs in a specific location before committing to an assignment.
- Type of housing: Travel nurses have several options when it comes to housing, including renting an apartment, or a house, staying at an extended-stay motel, or renting a room. Each option comes with its own price point, so it’s important to consider which you will be the most comfortable living in for 3-4 months.
Duration of Stay
I always tell people that finding travel nurse housing is so difficult because not only do we need the place to be fully furnished, but we also need a short-term lease.
Be prepared to see higher-than-normal prices — this is because you are renting a fully furnished property with a short lease. A short lease means more work for the property owner who has to consistently find new tenants, and that’s no easy task.
If for some reason you know that you will be extending this contract, you should use that as leverage. Signing a six-month lease over a three-month lease means less work for the owner.
Location-Specific Rental Rates
Rent for a condo in Palm Springs isn’t going to be the same as in Des Moines, Iowa.
Understanding the cost of living in each potential destination is vital.
Larger cities and urban areas often command higher rents, but they may also offer more affordable, shared housing options that cater to the traveling nurse.
It’s also important to keep in mind that rental rates can vary within a city, depending on the neighborhood and proximity to amenities. Researching different areas and their corresponding rental rates can help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing your temporary home.
I have a rule that I follow for each potential travel nurse job that I come across: Always immediately jump onto Furnished Finder to get a feeling for the housing market in the area. If there are under ten potential rentals available for my move-in date, I know that finding short-term housing is going to be next to impossible. The same goes if rent is super high and definitely out of my price range.
To get a feel of how much rental prices can fluctuate, here’s a comparison of rent costs in a few cities around the US:
- San Diego, California: The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $2,800 per month.
- Denver, Colorado: The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $2,200 per month.
- Nashville, Tennessee: The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,900 per month.
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Housing Types
There are many different types of temporary housing options, and the option you choose depends on what your personal preferences are.
The options include:
- Apartment
- House
- Shared Housing (living with roommates)
- Extended-Stay Hotels
- RV/5th Wheel
I suggest going with whatever option you are the most comfortable with — remember, this will be your home for the next few months and if you dread going home, you will not have a pleasant experience on your assignment.
Amenities Included
Besides having the place fully furnished, you should have a list of deal-breaking items that are a must-have in your new home.
How you design your travel nurse rental is crucial. Besides the rent amount, the design and amenities are our next priority.
Some examples of these amenities are:
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Dishwasher
- Assigned parking
- A comfortable couch in the living room
- At least one television
- Wifi
- Air conditioning
- Pets allowed
- Guaranteed privacy
- Ability to receive mail
- Is there a yard? Will you be responsible for maintaining it?
- Access to the entire home
- Adequate closet space
- Access to a swimming pool (especially if you’re in the South or South-West)
- A lease through the duration of your contract
- Will there be an option to extend the lease if you extend your contract?
Take a look at my Amazon shop for property owners to make setting up your rental a breeze.
Additionally, leases that include all utilities can provide peace of mind and potentially lower overall expenses.
Be sure to carefully consider the amenities and utilities included in your potential rental, as they can have a large impact on the total cost of your monthly rent.
Budgeting Tips
Sure, we tend to make excellent income, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t follow a budget.
Here are a few tips to help maximize your housing stipend and stay on top of your finances.
Negotiating Rental Rates
Yes, you are allowed to negotiate your rent. Here are a few tips that can help you save money in this area:
- Research the market: Before signing a lease, research the average rental rates in the area. This will give you an idea of what is considered a fair price and can be used as leverage for negotiations.
- Ask about move-in specials or promotions: Many rental properties offer move-in specials or promotions to attract tenants. Ask about these options and see if they can be applied to your lease.
- Offer to pay for a longer lease upfront: Landlords may be more willing to negotiate on rent if you offer to pay for a longer period upfront. For example, if you can pay for three months’ rent upfront, it could save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
- Let them know who you are: People LOVE renting to travel nurses. We are honest, clean, and always pay our rent on time. Be sure to mention right away your profession — I can almost guarantee it will give you a leg up over other potential renters.
Getting A Roommate
Shared housing options are becoming increasingly popular — especially with the price of rent skyrocketing around the country.
Not only can it save you money on rent, but it can also provide a sense of community while on assignment.
Websites and social media groups dedicated to connecting travel nurses with potential roommates have made finding suitable living arrangements easier than ever.
I recommend checking out Facebook groups for Travel Nurses or Travel Nurse Housing to start your search.
You can also ask your recruiter if there are other nurses starting at the same time as you and if you could get their information to see if they would be interested in sharing an apartment. Not only would you save on rent, but you could potentially make a new friend and have a partner at your new job.
Location And Proximity
Travel nurses often choose to live near the location of their new assignment.
But on the other hand, some nurses (like me) prefer a little bit of a commute to and from work.
Before you start assuming that I am a glutton for punishment, hear me out.
My strategy for the last two years has been to work in a smaller hospital, just outside of town, and then to live in the city. I get to enjoy all that the city has to offer without having to work in an inner-city facility. (If you work in the ED like I do, you can especially appreciate this).
The trade-off here is that I spend more on gas and sometimes hit morning rush hour traffic, but I thoroughly enjoy having 30-40 minutes in the car to wake up and mentally prepare for the shift.
Being open to living a little bit farther away from work also allows for more potential housing opportunities than sticking to a small radius would.
Safety and Security
Safety should always be a top priority when choosing housing, especially if you choose to work in an inner-city facility.
Research the neighborhood and look for reviews or recommendations from previous tenants.
Hop on Reddit or do a Google search on the best and worst neighborhoods to get a feel of what areas to avoid.
I also like to check out Hoodmaps for this — it’s a funny, yet informative place to check out what kinds of neighborhoods you can expect to see.
It’s also important to consider the security measures in place at the rental property, such as secure entry systems or external cameras.
If there is an external camera or doorbell camera such as Ring, ask your landlord if they can share access to the device with you.
I have done this many times and it brings me some piece of mind knowing that I see what’s going on while I’m away for 13 hours.
Resources for Finding Affordable Housing
In the age of social media, there are tons of resources available to help traveling nurses find the right housing at the right price.
Here are a few you should add to your toolkit:
- Travel nursing agencies: Many travel nursing agencies offer housing assistance as part of their services. They may have partnerships with local apartments or rental companies, allowing you to secure a discounted rate.
- Online platforms: Websites and apps such as Furnished Finder, Airbnb, Zillow, and Corporate Housing can be great resources for finding short-term rentals at affordable prices.
- Social media groups: Joining social media groups specifically for travel nurses can give you access to a community of professionals who may know of housing options in your desired location.
- Travel nurse blogs: I just happen to have a post on the Seven Best Travel Nurse Housing Sites if you are looking for some advice from a current travel nurse. There are, of course, many other blogs and sites out there besides mine.
Conclusion
Navigating the rental market as a traveling nurse is an exercise in diligence, patience, and strategic planning.
But sticking to the general rule of having your rent not be much more than one week’s worth of pay will give you a good idea of how much to spend.
I am also a big fan of being comfortable in your new, temporary home. You want it to be a place that you look forward to going home to — if not, then it’s just a waste of money.
My advice is to take everything — location, amenities, house type — into consideration and decide what your top priorities are. From there, decide on what your max rent can be and you should have a solid idea of what you’re looking for.
Knowing that what you pay for housing is sensible and comfortable allows you to focus on other things…like getting out and exploring your new town.
FAQ
How much should a travel nurse spend on housing?
Generally, rent should cost no more than one week’s pay. Sure, we get housing stipends, but that money will often have to go toward other living expenses. Especially if our pay rate is low (in the $20-$30/hr range).
Where do you live when you’re a travel nurse?
Travel nurses are responsible for finding furnished, short-term housing in the area where they will be working. Furnished Finder, Zillow, and Corporate Housing By Owner are good places to look.
Is travel nurse housing legit?
Yes, travel nurse housing is legit. All it is is furnished short-term rentals that are open for anyone to lease out. Furnished Finder is a website that tailors to travel nurses specifically, but you don’t have to be one to use the site.
Disclaimer: I may earn commissions from purchases made through the links in this post at no extra cost to you.