Home away from home.
Housing on the road
Finding the right housing is one of the biggest decisions for each assignment. Here's what experienced travelers know about finding, affording, and managing housing across the country.
Compare your options
Four ways to handle housing
Each approach has trade-offs. Your ideal choice depends on your experience level, budget goals, and how hands-on you want to be.
Housing Stipend
Find Your Own
Take the tax-free stipend and arrange your own housing. This option gives you the most flexibility and often results in higher take-home pay if you find affordable accommodations.
Most experienced travelers prefer this route
Agency-Provided
Hands-Off Housing
Some agencies or facilities offer pre-arranged furnished housing. It's set up before you arrive. The trade-off is that your stipend goes directly to the housing, so you have less control over costs.
Ideal if you want zero hassle on your first contract
Extended-Stay Hotels
Reliable Fallback
Extended-stay hotels like Residence Inn, Home2 Suites, and WoodSpring offer weekly and monthly rates with included utilities, Wi-Fi, and housekeeping.
Best when you need housing fast or between longer-term options
Short-Term Rentals
Furnished Finder & More
Platforms like Furnished Finder (built for travel healthcare), Airbnb, and VRBO offer furnished rentals from private rooms to full apartments. Furnished Finder is the most popular option among travel nurses.
Furnished Finder is the go-to for most travel clinicians
Stipend guide
Understanding your
housing stipend
Your housing stipend is a tax-free allowance meant to cover the cost of temporary housing while you're on assignment away from your permanent tax home. The amount is typically based on GSA per diem rates for your assignment location.
Tax-free status requires a tax home
You must maintain a permanent residence (mortgage/rent, utilities) to receive tax-free stipends. Without a tax home, stipends become taxable.
GSA rates vary by location
A San Francisco assignment will have a higher stipend than a rural one because cost of living differs. Rates are updated annually.
You keep the difference
If your stipend is $2,100/week and housing costs $1,400/week, the remaining $700 is yours — tax-free.
Duplicate expenses matter
The IRS expects you to have legitimate duplicate housing expenses (paying for both your tax home and your temporary assignment housing).
From experienced travelers
6 tips for finding housing
Advice from clinicians who've done dozens of assignments and learned what works.
Start early
Begin your housing search 4–6 weeks before your start date. Popular locations fill up fast, especially during peak travel season (January–March).
Set a budget
Know your stipend amount and aim to spend 60–75% of it on housing. The difference is tax-free money in your pocket. Factor in utilities, parking, and pet fees.
Join housing groups
Facebook groups like "Travel Nurse Housing" and city-specific groups are invaluable. Travelers post reviews, sublets, and recommendations for every major metro.
Read the fine print
Check cancellation policies, lease terms, and what happens if your contract is cancelled or extended. Look for month-to-month or assignment-length leases.
Consider a roommate
Sharing housing with another travel clinician can cut costs significantly. Many travelers use housing groups to find compatible roommates.
Document everything
Take photos when you move in and keep records of all payments. This protects you with landlords and is helpful for tax purposes.
Budget example
Where the money goes
Here's a typical monthly housing budget for a travel clinician receiving a $2,100/month housing stipend. The goal: keep your expenses well below the stipend and pocket the difference tax-free.
Monthly savings
Tax-free money in your pocket
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Housing stipend eligibility and tax-home requirements depend on your individual circumstances. Consult a tax professional experienced with travel healthcare for personalized guidance.
Estimate your total compensation
Use our pay calculator to see how housing stipends fit into your total package, or browse open positions to find your next assignment.
