12 Best Places to Find Travel Nurse Housing

For travel nurses, finding comfortable, safe, and affordable housing is a top priority. Unfortunately, the task is getting harder because inflation has led to rising rental costs nationwide. It’s important to understand your options housing options as a travel nurse, which is why we’ve put together this guide on the best places to find travel nurse housing. 

>> Click here to see available high-paying travel nurse opportunities!

12 Best Places to Find Travel Nurse Housing

Travel nurses can qualify for almost any temporary or short-term lodging. Some choose to stay at a hotel with various amenities, while others opt to rent a room in a private residence. Most cities offer plenty of possibilities for every taste, preference, and lifestyle. 

This post is meant to provide useful information and should not be relied upon to make decisions, nor does it contain legal advice. Listings are not endorsed, and no association or affiliation is implied.

1. Furnished Finder (Travel Nurse Housing)

Furnished Finder (FF) and its spinoff site, TravelNurseHousing.com, are the most popular among travelers. The company has catered to healthcare professionals needing short-term housing since 2014 and is used by more than 100 medical staffing companies. This site usually has the best options — even in cities with limited choices. Most FF hosts offer month-to-month deals, and terms are negotiated directly with owners. 

FF’s free research tool, the Travel Nurse Stipend Calculator, shows you the average living expenses for each city. Also, renters can get a free Owner Verification Report to identify problems with the property or landlord. 

• Fees: Free to browse and book directly with the owner; landlords may assess a one-time cleaning fee, deposit (around ⅓ of monthly rent), and pet fee if applicable

• Booking details:  Message the owner or send a booking request through the website to initiate

• Pros: Options in hard-to-find locations, free owner verification report, interaction with property owners directly

• Cons: Listings are not continuously monitored for accuracy and may be out of date; some owners may be unresponsive

2. Airbnb

Another popular site known for travel arrangements is Airbnb. The short-term rental site is known for vacation rentals, but travel nurses can use it to find housing through millions of listings in more than 100,000 cities. It’s the largest platform on our list for travelers. 

Search listings by type to book anything from yurts to cabins or treehouses, all with a homey feel. Airbnb hosts tend to offer perks like extra linens, stocked coffee bars, and even bicycles to use around town. The downside can be that prices and fees are higher compared to some sites on this list.

• Fees: Booking service fees are usually split between the host and guest; the service fees for travelers should be under 14.2% of the booking subtotal; hosts may charge for cleaning and pet deposits

• Booking details:  Reserve instantly, check availability, or message AirBnB hosts through the website or mobile app to initiate

• Pros: Find unique stays; many comforts of home available at no extra charge, easy to use platform with direct booking capabilities

• Cons: More expensive due to fees; hosts can cancel your booking in rare cases; payment is required upfront each month and may not be refundable

3. VRBO

VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) is another short-term rental site that connects travelers to property owners. Though it’s not a travel nurse housing site per se, the site offers millions of rental options with flexible cancellation policies. 

Since VRBO caters to vacation homeowners, properties tend to be higher-end. Create a Trip Board to plan your next assignment, compare housing choices, and collaborate with other travelers.

• Fees: Owners set fees for each rental (such as cleaning, pets, and boat fees); VRBO charges owners 8% of the booking for commission and payment processing

• Booking details: Click Book Now on the site or app, then agree to the terms and conditions to pay and secure the rental

• Pros: 24-hour customer service availability and the platform allows partial payments

• Cons: The site charges more fees, which may be passed on to boarders; Cancellation policies are strict and may not provide refunds for cancellations

4. CHBO

Corporate housing by owner (corporatehousingbyowner.com) is another popular resource for medical professionals looking for fully furnished short-term leases. This respectable website has been in operation since 2005. 

It offers a user-friendly browsing experience for professional clientele. There are plenty of corporate listings in major cities, with virtual or video tours. 

You can browse listings on your own or submit a no-obligation housing request. When you send a request, the CHBO team searches for you and then sends a tailored list of properties that meet your budget and needs via email. The company also offers customer care by phone or online chat 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Fees: No fee to search properties or contact owners; CHBO charges owners an annual or monthly fee for their listing. 

• Booking details:  CHBO handles your rental agreement, background and credit checks, deposit, and rental collection

• Pros: 24-hour customer service for maintenance, billing, or other problems; properties are professionally managed

• Cons: Monthly rates are on the higher end; CHBO requires full background and credit checks; the fee is expensive for owners to list properties, so you may not see as many options as other websites

5. Facebook Groups

Facebook groups can be a great place to find travel nurse housing, plus insider tips on where/where not to stay from other travelers. You could even find potential roommates if that’s what you want. To find groups for travel nurses, search for specific keywords, including:

• “[City] travel nurses”

• “Travel nursing: places/rooms for rent”

• “Travel nurse housing rentals by landlords”

• “Travel nurse housing rentals”

These online communities connect nurses with available housing, learn the locale, and make new friends. This is one we definitely recommend checking out. 

• Fees: Free

• Booking details: Only provides links to listings or tips, not a booking site

• Pros: Get unbiased first-hand experiences and suggestions from other travel nurses

• Cons: Fewer listings than other platforms on this list; scammers can also join these groups

6. CraigsList (CL)

For most nurses who take the stipend, finding the most safe and comfortable housing at the lowest rate is the goal. That’s where Craigslist (CL) comes in. 

Wait, I know what you’re thinking. And the answer is yes. Nurses still use CL to find housing. The online directory has been around since the 1990s and is free to use. 

The problem is that most travelers will tell you that CL has more scams than other sites. So, be wary of the red flags we cover below. That said, you can typically find bargains on CL without the fees that other sites add in.

• Fees: Free 

• Booking details:  Online listings provide details on how to contact property owners directly for booking

• Pros: Low rates, no fees

• Cons: Free listings are attractive to would-be scammers

>> Click here to see available high-paying travel nurse opportunities!

7. Zillow

Although Zillow is well regarded as the finest option to search for yearly leases or properties to buy, it will also have a fair number of short-term leases. To find them, search rentals by city, add “furnished”, and add the keyword “short term”. You can also add parameters for price, features, and even the type of housing.  

The best feature that Zillow offers over other sites on this list is third-party data about the neighborhood, including a Walk Score and Bike Score. These walkability rankings can help you plan whether or not you’ll need a car and how you will get around town. It is a useful tool even if you don’t book through Zillow.

• Fees: Free to browse and apply; owners set deposits and fees for their properties

• Booking details: Send a message through the site to property owners/managers to start the process

• Pros: Provides lots of information for listings, including neighborhood data, comparable area rates, maps, and even details about local legal protections for renters 

• Cons: Limited short-term rentals for travelers; not designed for traveling professionals

8. Zumper

Zumper is the largest privately owned rental platform in North America, boasting more than 178 million site visits annually. Zumper has a huge bank of listings because it links to additional sites, including VRBO, Evolve, and Rentals United. 

Properties on the Zumper platform also show the “neighborhood vibe” and rate the location’s parks, shopping, nightlife, and transit.

In March, the company announced major expansions, including a Flex Pass annual subscription for travelers. This annual membership gives travel nurses access to fully furnished short-term rentals with the best rates, waived security deposits, and dedicated booking support. The Flex Pass is $300 per year, but you can try it free for a limited time. 

• Fees: Rental applicants must pay $30 for screening (background check, eviction history, and credit report), $10 additional to share the screening with multiple properties, and any additional application fee required by the property owner. 

• Booking details: Apply online and submit a digital rental application and credit reports through Zumper’s screening service; you will be notified if you’re approved

• Pros: User-friendly mobile app provides real-time notifications when new rentals are added; offers various types of housing; try Flex Pass free for a limited time 

• Cons: You must pay for the ​​screening up front and could still be denied; inability to talk to the landlord about any issues in your history; you could only write an appeal letter 

9. Short Term Housing

ShortTermHousing.com focuses on 30-day corporate housing rentals for traveling professionals. This site has over 30,000 rentals in more than 6,000 US cities. It is worth checking out, but the rates you’ll find will be higher — starting at $2,800 per month. 

When you visit the website, click “Browse Our Furnished Apartments”, and you’ll be directed to a list of hospitals nationwide with links to “Furnished Housing Near Medical Centers”. This quick tip is an incredibly convenient hack to add to your travel nurse housing search. 

Users also have the option to submit a housing request and have a rental expert contact them. When you pick a property, Short Term Housing collects the deposit, schedules move-in, and sends the lease contract.

• Fees:  Free to search and talk to rental experts; fees vary by property

• Booking details: Complete a Rental Request to connect with a rental agent

• Pros: Furnished listings with all utilities included designed for working professionals

• Cons: Pricier options; must fill out a tedious rental request detailing your preferences, budget, etc.; unable to book with landlords directly or negotiate terms

10. National Corporate Housing

National is one of the largest corporate housing providers, with local teams in 27 cities across the US. It offers 4- and 5-star fully furnished housing options for working professionals. 

Corporate apartments have a full kitchen, access to laundry, paid utilities, cable/streaming services, and WiFi. And if you’re looking for top-notch customer service, this may be the place to look.  

National listings tend to be more expensive, but there are no hidden fees, and renters pay a flat rate month-to-month. Lease cancellations are permitted with a 15-day notice. This flexibility is great for travel nurses in case their contract is canceled. National Corporate Housing also offers a free Rental Resource to help with travel nurse housing research. 

• Fees:  Free searches and free virtual support; the properties set fees

• Booking details: Complete a Request to Book, and a rental agent will contact you

• Pros: High-class accommodations, no dealing with the landlord, free rental resources and support, 24-hour emergency assistance.

• Cons: May not be covered by the standard stipend

11. HomeStay.com

HomeStay’s tagline is: “Live Like a Local, with a Local”. This platform offers travel nurse housing that is different from others on this post because it usually means a shared or private room in a family home. 

HomeStay is much like the company AirBnB started as a way to truly experience a locale by staying in a host’s home and becoming a part of the community. Think of accommodations for an exchange student. That means you won’t find private spaces here. 

HomeStay listings are priced much lower than the other sites on our list. You can find rooms for $30 per night or $900 monthly. Some hosts even include meals. Book directly with the host by sending a message and ironing out the details.

• Fees: Renters pay a 15% booking fee and 25% deposit upfront to secure their arrangement; deposits are refunded with a seven-day notice

• Booking details: Message the host to confirm availability and ask questions. When your dates are confirmed, you can pay to reserve the space

• Pros: Most affordable option; staying with others makes traveling less lonely; “live like a local” and explore the community

• Cons:  Less privacy

12. Travelers Haven/Blueground

Travelers Haven was formed in 2008 as a travel nurse housing site. Since then, it has grown to a formidable platform offering short-term rentals in all 50 states. According to the company’s website, over 3,000 nurses secure their housing through Travelers Haven each year. 

The company offers customized contracts with flexible terms, 24-hour support, and a customer portal to stay up-to-date on rental arrangements. Listings are not posted. Rather you must provide your contact information, and someone will contact you.

The company joined Blueground, a corporate apartment rental site, earlier this year. The company plans continued US growth to over 20,000 cities over the next two years. Prices on Blueground are slightly lower for corporate-style apartments in desirable neighborhoods. However, these leases typically exclude utilities.

• Fees:  No fee to submit a request; landlords can post for free, but Blueground charges a 6% commission

• Booking details: Click “Find Your Stay” to have a rep call you

• Pros:  Travelers Haven has flexible lease terms and all-inclusive accommodations; no searching; it’s like using a broker that will find options for you; the network is growing with new rentals each day

• Cons: Travelers Haven listings are hidden; Blueground listings exclude utilities

Other Places to Find Travel Nurse Housing

This list was recently shared in a Reddit thread and gives a long list of other places to find travel nurse housing. 

• RotatingRoom
• PadMapper
• Apartment List also has a Cost of Living Calculator
• Hello Landing
• Roomster 
• Transplant Housing
• Sublet
• Furnished Apartments
• Corporate Housing
• Housing Helpers
• ForRent.com
• HomeToGo
• FlipKey
• Travel Housing Pro
• CozyCozy is another site that lets you compare listings from AirBnB, VRBO, booking.com, Trip.com, Expedia, and more.

Travel Nurse Housing 101

If you’re not quite ready to secure a place to stay yet and are still trying to understand what travel nurse housing is, read on for a full overview of what it is, what’s included, and what to watch out for. 

What is Travel Nurse Housing?

Travel nurse housing is the short-term living arrangement that travelers make for a temporary move to a new city on assignment. A short-term rental agreement is a great solution for nursing professionals who need a comfortable and safe place to stay while working away from home. In general, travel nurse housing accommodations offer a private bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living area for relaxing or socializing.

Travel nurses can choose to stay in private or shared housing. A benefit of sharing travel nurse housing is the chance to meet other travel nurses and share experiences. Nurses who travel with others often make lasting connections.

>> Click here to see available high-paying travel nurse opportunities!

What’s Included in Travel Nurse Housing?

Travel nurse housing arrangements usually offer basic amenities such as WiFi, laundry facilities, and access to local stores and restaurants. Housing options may include on-site luxuries like pools, lounges, or gyms. 

Upscale travel nurse housing may include 24-hour concierge service, housekeeping, and security alarms. 

Nurses traveling with their furry friends can find pet-friendly travel nurse housing.

Other travel nurse housing amenities to look for include:

• Fully-furnished
• Kitchenware, including pans, silverware, glasses, etc
• Appliances like toasters and microwaves
• Bedding & all linens (two sets are nice!).
• In-home washer and dryer
• Designated parking spaces
• High-speed internet connection 
• Cable/TV
• Secure access
• The right location!

Housing accommodations vary from city to city. And for most assignments, finding fully furnished apartments in prime neighborhoods with all of the conveniences a travel nurse could need is possible. The challenge may lie in finding housing to fit the budget.

Agency Housing vs. Stipend for Travel Nurse Housing

When it comes to travel nurse housing, there are two main options for nurses: 

1. Agency-placed housing

2. A stipend for housing

There are advantages and disadvantages to each depending on your situation.

Agency Housing for Travel Nurse Housing

• Pros: 
  • Less stress
  • No out-of-pocket or upfront costs for deposit, fees, etc
  • Travel agencies may lease multiple units at a time, meaning they can get discounted rates nurses won’t find. That usually means that agency-provided housing is a better living experience, with professional management and desirable locations. 
• Cons: 
  • Few, if any, options
  • Inability to negotiate lower living expenses
  • Agency-placed housing means that the travel nursing agency covers the cost of housing (usually an apartment or rental home) while a nurse is on assignment. This is the simplest way to secure housing. 
  • Nurses forfeit some of their preferences as well as the housing stipend. As traveler Kelli Leach puts it, “Agencies send you two to three housing options to choose from (if available and if you ask), but ultimately, they’re going to place you where is most convenient for them (typically what is currently available and the cheapest).” 

Stipend for Travel Nursing Housing

• Pros: 
  • More choice
  • Possibility to pocket additional pay. A stipend for travel nurse housing means that the agency gives the nurse tax-free money (a stipend) to cover their housing expenses while on assignment. This could range from hundreds to thousands per month. For some, it is the more attractive option because it lets the nurse choose the housing and budget as they see fit. If you find cheaper housing on your own in a room, basement, or condo, you can pocket the rest of the stipend tax-free.
• Cons: 
  • More responsibility, effort, and leg work to find short-term housing
  • You also get more flexibility in contract duration. You set the lease term. That means you can spend more or less time in the city — before or after the contract — if you want. 
  • Picking the stipend is more risky, though. If you choose the stipend but don’t find a place in your budget, you could pay more out of pocket.

Overall, both agency housing and stipends for travel nurse housing have advantages and drawbacks. So weighing the options and deciding which best suits your needs is important.

Traveling Nurse Housing Scams to Watch For

Unfortunately, con artists try to take advantage of visitors in unfamiliar towns. If you’re not cautious, you could become the victim of a travel nurse housing scam. Through internet adverts and transactions, shady people pretend to be landlords in order to mislead potential renters. They want your money or personal details and may or may not have a property for lease.  

Although some housing websites vet landlords and property owners, detecting and preventing every form of fraud is tricky. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), there are two main housing scams to know about.  

• Bogus Property: The con is that there is no place to rent. A listing might contain an address, but it may not match street-view photos from Google Maps. More than 5 million people have lost money in this scam. 

• Hijacked Ad: In this scenario, there is (or was) a place for rent, but an imposter has copied the listing and put their details as the owner/manager. The BBB calls this the most common scam involving rentals.

Travel Nurse Housing Red Flags

In most cases, it’s easy to spot red flags in these travel nurse housing scams. Fraudsters often use an unusual story about why they can’t show you the place. Still, they’ll pressure you to send money to hold the property. Other potential red flags to watch for include:

• The owner is not upfront or unclear about the terms, fees, and other details
• The price is way below similar properties in the area
• The property owner lives locally but refuses to meet in person
• Unusual grammar in text/email communications 
• Names on the listing and public records do not match or don’t match the person you’re dealing with
• The owner insists on payment through a wire transfer or to an international account
• Ad images are poor quality, or there are only one or two.
• The landlord is overly eager to strike a deal before any paperwork or background information.
• The owner wants you to sign or pay immediately.
• Suspicious links are sent via email or text (these could be phishing attacks)

Consider these tips when searching for the right rental housing as a travel nurse. If you run into a scam, report it to the BBB ScamTracker and the Federal Trade Commission. 

How to Find the Best Travel Nurse Housing 

One of the most important aspects of your salary package is housing. Thankfully, more platforms are catering to travel nurses. To attract healthcare workers, most property owners offer similar accommodations and incentives. However, terms, prices, location, and flexibility can make or break a deal.

We hope you found these pointers helpful and use them on your next assignment to find the perfect housing for your next travel nurse adventure! 

Travel Nurse Housing FAQs

• How much should I spend on housing as a travel nurse?

  • Experts advise keeping your housing costs to less than 30% of your gross monthly income.

• Do traveling nurses get a housing stipend?

  • In some cases, they do. When they accept a travel nurse assignment, they can accept agency-arranged housing or a stipend.

• Is renting to traveling nurses worth it?

  • Yes. Nurses make great tenants because they are gainfully employed and have already been subjected to background checks and regular or frequent drug tests through their employers. Nurses are also the most trusted professionals, with a reputation for being dependable and effective communicators.

• How do travel nurses afford housing?

  • Nurses can accept housing paid for by their staffing agency or take a housing stipend. Those who take a stipend can use it however they see fit, whether renting a room on a website or booking an expensive corporate apartment and paying the difference.