Your travel nurse housing is one of the biggest ways to make the most of your tax-free stipend. The right setup can help you stay comfortable on assignment while keeping more of that money in your pocket.
In 2026, more travel nurses are getting strategic with how they approach housing. It’s not just about finding a place to stay. It’s about balancing cost, location, and convenience so your assignment works for you.
The best websites to find travel nurse housing include Airbnb, Apartments.com, HouseStay, VRBO, Furnished Finder, and Homestay. Each platform offers different options depending on your budget, length of stay, and lifestyle preferences.
In this guide, we’ll break down how travel nurse housing works, what to expect in today’s market, and how to use these platforms to get the most value out of your stipend.
How Do Nurses Find Travel Nurse Housing?
Most travel nurses will run into two main housing options once they secure an assignment: agency-provided housing or a housing stipend.
In 2026, many nurses are leaning towards agencies that provide an untaxed housing stipend so they can focus on maximizing their stipend. This gives them more flexibility in choosing location, amenities, and overall living experience.
Agency Provided Travel Nurse Housing
There are still some agencies that provide housing for you. If you opt for agency-provided housing, the agency will have your housing already lined up for you. The caveat is you may only have 2-3 options to choose from, if any. While you can request changes, flexibility can be limited unless there’s a clear concern.
Travel Nurse Housing Stipend
A housing stipend gives you full control over your living situation. The amount of your housing stipend is based on the cost of living in your assignment location. Higher-cost cities like San Francisco or Boston typically come with larger stipends, while smaller or rural areas like Birmingham or Charlotte may offer lower amounts. This ensures your pay package aligns with local housing markets.
One of the biggest perks of a housing stipend is flexibility. You’re not limited to pre-selected housing options. You can choose where you live, how much you spend, and what type of setup works best for you.
If you find housing that costs less than your stipend, you keep the difference. Many experienced travel nurses use this strategy to boost their earnings while still choosing safe and comfortable housing.
Unfurnished vs. Furnished Travel Nurse Housing
If you’re finding your own housing, one of the first things to consider is whether to choose furnished or unfurnished housing. Furnished housing for travel nurses is usually the most practical option. Most short-term rental platforms are built around furnished options, which makes the process easier and stress-free for travel nurses.
Unfurnished housing may offer lower monthly rent, but it often requires additional costs and planning for furniture, utilities, and setup time.
How Much Money Do Travel Nurses Get for Housing?
A travel nurse housing stipend varies from one region to another. Stipends can range from around $700 per week in lower-cost areas to $1,500 or more in high-demand cities. These differences are tied to cost of living and regional housing markets.
These stipends are set to reasonably cover housing—not guarantee luxury housing in every market. Your actual costs will depend on how early you book, the type of housing you choose, and how competitive the housing market is at the time of your assignment.
If you plan ahead and use multiple platforms, you can find better pricing and more options. This will help you maximize the value of your stipend.
Top 6 Websites to Find Travel Nurse Housing in 2026
If you’re managing your own housing, using multiple platforms is one of the best ways to find the right fit. Each website offers different strengths depending on your needs.
Below are the top 6 websites that travel nurses are using in 2026 to find housing.
1. Airbnb
Airbnb is a long-time favorite for finding furnished travel nurse housing. They verify all hosts, and messaging is done through the platform to ensure that the host and the traveler are protected. Airbnb is great for short- to mid-term rentals.
You can filter searches based on what you’re looking for (ameneties, duration, rating,etc.) and you’ll be given options within the area that fit your specific needs. This is one of the top sites for short-term travel nurse housing options.
- Best for: Short- to mid-term furnished stays
- Housing types: Condos, houses, private rooms
Tips: Look for “monthly discounts” offered by hosts. Message hosts directly to ask about travel nurse discounts or flexibility.
2. Apartments.com
Apartments.com is a go-to site if you’re wanting to find an apartment for your housing. While it’s not specifically designed for short-term stays, you can filter by lease length and explore a wide range of housing types. This can be useful if you’re open to longer contracts or want more standard apartment living.
Though this site is marketed as an apartment website, you can also find condos, townhouses, and monthly furnished rentals.
- Best for: Apartment-style housing
- Housing types: Apartments, condos, townhouses
Note: Also runs ApartmentFinder.com & ApartmentHomeLiving.com
3. HouseStay.com
HouseStay.com is designed for professionals needing longer stays. This website is a good choice for reliable and all-inclusive travel nurse housing. You’ll find that all listings are fully furnished, have utilities included, are available for 30 nights or more, have many photos, and pass HouseStay home inspection.
Having all the necessities included makes saving money easy. As part of the booking process, you must fill out a housing form to ensure personalized assistance from rental experts.
- 30+ night minimums
- Ideal for 13-week travel nurse housing
- Offers personalized rental support
4. VRBO
VRBO is another popular site for travel healthcare professionals, including travel nurses, to find housing options. Unlike some platforms that include shared spaces or private rooms, VRBO focuses on entire homes, which can make it a better fit if you want a quieter, more independent living setup.
- Best for: Private, furnished home rentals
- Housing types: Houses, condos, apartments
- Key benefits: Whole-home privacy, flexible pricing, extended-stay options
5. FurnishedFinder.com
FurnishedFinder was originally made for healthcare workers to easily find furnished traveling nurse housing options. Unlike general rental sites, every listing is built with short-term assignments in mind, which makes the search process more targeted. Many landlords on the platform are familiar with travel nurse schedules and are open to shorter lease terms or extensions.
If you don’t find the right option right away, you can submit a housing request and have landlords reach out to you directly with available options.
- Best for: Travel nurse-specific housing
- Housing types: Fully furnished rentals (apartments, homes, private units)
- Key benefits: Nurse-focused listings, direct landlord communication, flexible lease options, housing request feature
Real Travel Nurse Review: “Great resource for travel nurses. Have been able to find rentals in 11 states…including Hawaii! All have been clean and safe! Love that most listings have distances to area hospitals listed, makes searching for a place easier!” -Jennifer S., Travel Nurse
6. HomeStay.com
Homestay is a unique option for furnished travel nurse housing. Homestay offers private rooms for travel nurses in a local host’s home. It is a great way to connect and learn more about the local culture. Finding a partner to guide you around town is hard, especially when you’re a solo and new travel nurse. If you’re looking to really immerse yourself into the local lifestyle, Homestay is a perfect option.
- Furnished private rooms
- Ideal for short-term stays
2026 Comparison: Traveling Nurses Housing Websites
| Platform | Best For | Key Features | Housing Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb | Short- to mid-term furnished stays | Verified hosts, secure messaging, filter by amenities/duration | Condos, houses, private rooms |
| Apartments.com | Apartment-focused searches | Filter by lease length, includes condos/townhouses, broad network | Apartments, condos, townhouses |
| HouseStay.com | All-inclusive long-term housing | Fully furnished, 30+ night stays, utilities included, home inspections | Apartments, homes, extended-stay rentals |
| VRBO | Private, furnished home rentals | Flexible pricing, whole-home options, strong user protections | Homes, apartments, condos |
| Furnished Finder | Nurse-specific housing | Nurse-first filters, direct landlord contact, housing request option | Furnished rentals (all types) |
| Homestay.com | Cultural immersion + local connections | Private rooms in host homes, furnished, local guidance from hosts | Private rooms in shared homes |
Beyond the Websites: Other Strategies for Finding Travel Nurse Housing
Online platforms are great, but there are other ways to find travel nurse housing. Many nurses find success through FB groups, peer recommendations, or local connections. Try these nurse-approved methods:
- Travel Nurse Housing Facebook Groups: Search for groups like “Travel Nurse Housing + [City].” These can be a great way to find short-term rentals posted by other travelers or local landlords familiar with the travel nurse lifestyle.
- Word of Mouth: Ask other nurses at your facility, especially those finishing up their contracts, if they know of any short-term rentals or landlords who rent to healthcare professionals.
- Subletting: Many travel nurses sublet their apartments between assignments. Subletting can offer more flexible lease terms and fully furnished spaces, often from someone who understands your travel nurse housing needs.
Travel Nurse Housing Costs in 2026: What to Expect
Understanding housing costs is a huge part of travel nursing. There are lots of factors to consider when calculating their housing costs, including the location, type of accommodation, and amenities. Here are some key points to consider:
- Location: Traveling nurse housing costs vary significantly depending on the location. Cities with a high cost of living, such as New York or San Francisco, tend to have higher housing costs compared to smaller towns or rural areas.
- Type of accommodation: Travel nurses can choose from various types of accommodations, including apartments, houses, rooms, and condos. Each type of accommodation has its own set of costs, including rent, utilities, and amenities.
- Amenities: Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and fitness centers can add to travel nurse housing costs. Travel nurses should consider what amenities are essential to them and factor those into their housing budget.
- Housing stipend: Many travel nursing agencies provide a housing stipend to help cover housing costs. Travel nurses should understand how the stipend works and what expenses it covers.
- Rental payments: Travel nurses should also consider rental payments, including the frequency of payments and any additional fees associated with renting a property.
By understanding traveling nurse housing costs and working effectively with property owners, travel nurses can find affordable and convenient travel nurse housing that meets their needs and budget.
5 Short-Term Housing Options for Travel Nurses
When using sites to find travel nurse housing like Airbnb, Furnished Finder, or Apartments.com, you’ll see a few different choices for short-term housing options. Each with its own pros, cons, and costs:
1. Houses & Townhomes: Best for 13+ week stays or nurses who want a true home-away-from-home.
2. Apartments & Condos: Best for 1–6 month contracts or those who want comfort without extra upkeep.
3. Rooms in Shared Homes: Best for short-term contracts or nurses watching their budget.
4. Extended-Stay Hotels: Best for quick starts, transition periods, or ultra-short assignments.
5. Furnished Rentals: Best for standard 13-week contracts and nurses prioritizing convenience.
Tips for Securing Travel Nurse Housing Quickly & Safely:
How do travel nurses find housing that’s safe? A proactive approach is the best strategy:
- Consider Your Commute: Factor in the distance and typical commute time to your assigned facility. While a great deal on traveling nurses rentals might be appealing, a long, stressful commute can quickly make it not worth it.
- Start Your Search Early: As soon as your contract is signed, and your start date is set, you should start your travel nurse housing search.
- Use Multiple Platforms (and Networks!): Don’t limit yourself to just one website. You should explore all of the best travel nurse housing sites mentioned in this article, but also tap into other networks like Facebook groups dedicated to traveling nurse housing (“Travel Nurse Housing + [City]”).
- Beware of Housing Scams: Unfortunately, scammers target the rental market. Always be wary of deals that seem “too good to be true.” Never wire money or pay with gift cards. Insist on a video tour if an in-person viewing isn’t possible, and always get a formal lease agreement in writing. Verify the landlord’s identity and look for consistent reviews.
- Prioritize Furnished Options: Choosing furnished housing for travel nurses saves a lot of time and money on moving costs and temporary furniture rentals. Filter your searches for “furnished rentals” to narrow down options.
- Read Reviews Thoroughly: Past tenant experiences offer great insights into the property, landlord, and neighborhood. Look for consistent positive feedback, especially regarding communication and maintenance.
- Get Everything in Writing: Every detail, from rent and deposit to pet policies and utility inclusions, should be clearly outlined in a written lease agreement before any money changes hands.
Advantis Medical: Your Housing Search Partner (and Beyond!)
Finding the best websites for travel nurse housing is a great first step, but what if you could simplify the whole process? At Advantis Medical, we offer more than just top travel nursing jobs; we’re your dedicated partner in finding your ideal traveling nurse housing and making your travel experience seamless. With 700+ 5-star reviews and dozens of real nurse testimonials, we’re the#1 travel nurse agency for a reason.
While you’re searching on Airbnb or FurnishedFinder for traveling nurses housing, we’re working behind the scenes with our Advantis Gold Standard service. This means personalized housing assistance (whether you want full support or just guidance on how to maximize your stipend), expert recruiters who get you, and access to exclusive travel job opportunities that put you first.
Ready to find your next high-paying travel nurse job and home away from home? Explore exclusive travel RN jobs now!
FAQs – Travel Nurse Housing
What are the best websites for travel nurse housing?
The top platforms include:
• Furnished Finder (nurse-specific rentals)
• Airbnb (verified short-term stays)
• VRBO (vacation-style housing)
• Landing (flexible leases)
• Blueground (premium furnished apartments)
All specialize in temporary furnished housing for traveling nurses.
What should travel nurses look for in housing?
Prioritize these features:
• Fully furnished (saves moving costs)
• Flexible lease terms (matches assignment lengths)
• Laundry facilities (essential for long shifts)
• Secure parking (especially for night shift)
• Short commute (<30 mins to hospital)
How much is the average travel nurse housing stipend?
Travel nurse housing stipends vary based on location but typically range from $700 to $3,000 per month. The stipend is intended to cover rent, utilities, and related expenses while on assignment.
How to find furnished housing for travel nurses quickly?
To find furnished housing for travel nurses fast, use specialized platforms like Furnished Finder and HouseStay. Filter listings by price, location, and availability to match your assignment dates and budget.
Can travel nurses use Airbnb or VRBO for long-term stays?
Yes, many travel nurses use Airbnb or VRBO for longer stays. Both platforms allow you to filter by duration, price, and amenities, making it easy to find short-term or extended stay housing that fits your needs.
What happens to my travel nurse housing if my assignment is canceled early?
It’s important to look for flexible housing options for this reason. Choose rentals with month-to-month leases or cancellation-friendly terms. Some travel nurses sublet or transfer their lease to other travelers. Communicate with your landlord or platform immediately to explore options.
Can I bring my pets when looking for travel nurse housing?
Yes, many traveling nurses successfully bring their pets on assignments, but it does require some extra planning. When searching for travel nurse housing, always filter for “pet-friendly” options on sites like FurnishedFinder.com, Airbnb, and VRBO. Be prepared for potential additional costs such as pet deposits (refundable or non-refundable) and monthly pet rent. Some properties may also have breed or weight restrictions. It’s important to confirm the property’s pet policy in writing before booking any traveling nurses rentals.
What are the tax implications of a travel nurse housing stipend?
The travel nurse housing stipend is typically non-taxable, provided you maintain a “tax home” (a permanent residence you incur ongoing expenses for) and are duplicating living expenses while on assignment. It’s essential to understand IRS guidelines to ensure your stipends remain tax-free. Keeping meticulous records of your tax home expenses (mortgage/rent, utilities) and all housing costs at your assignment location is crucial. For personalized advice, always consult with a tax professional specializing in travel nursing.
How far in advance should I look for furnished housing for travel nurses?
To secure the best options for furnished housing for travel nurses, it’s highly recommended to start your search as early as possible, ideally 4-6 weeks before your assignment begins. High-demand locations and specific times of the year can lead to increased competition. Early planning allows you more choices, better negotiation potential for traveling nurses rentals, and reduces stress, ensuring you find suitable and safe travel nurse housing without last-minute scrambling.
