Working as a travel nurse provides opportunities to work in challenging and stimulating environments. It's also a chance to explore the country as you move from one assignment to another. Choosing your next destination can feel overwhelming, but this guide to the best cities for travel nurses can make your selection a little easier.
Key stat: This guide covers 10 top cities for travel nurses, spanning from coast to coast and including both major metro areas and mid-size communities.
As you consider popular destinations, find out why Anchorage is one of the best cities for travel nurses. You'll have opportunities to see wildlife every day. From whale watching to witnessing a herd of moose, you'll see wild animals that aren't common in any other U.S. city. The city also offers restaurants that serve fresh-caught seafood. Many locally owned eateries source their ingredients from farmers and fishermen in the area. Native American-owned shops encourage visitors and locals to learn more about their cultures. Buy their crafts or enjoy their services to support Alaska's indigenous population.
It's easy to pick a room rental in any NYC neighborhood when you visit RotatingRoom. Rentals are conveniently close to the city's best healthcare facilities. Another reason NYC is one of the best cities for travel nurses is that the subway makes every neighborhood conveniently accessible. The city's best dining, live entertainment, and shopping are just a short train ride away. No matter where you live in NYC, you can discover something interesting. Each NYC borough or neighborhood feels like a city of its own. Whether you want to meet friends at a pub or explore a public park, you can indulge any interest. Do you like shopping? It's easy to come across retail stores that sell healthy food, trendy designer clothes, and high-tech gadgets.
Where do travel nurses go for a Southwest perspective? Few places offer as much to enjoy as Phoenix. The climate stays warm all year round, and that's just one reason this city is one of the top destinations for traveling nurses. It's a great place for nature lovers, offering hiking, golfing, and more outdoor fun. Phoenix is a bustling city with restaurants, shopping malls, and live entertainment venues.
Looking through guides for travel nurses, one city that pops up often is Los Angeles. The city is home to many of the nation's most advanced healthcare facilities, providing opportunities for rewarding career growth. During periods of downtime, you can choose your adventure. Key stat: Los Angeles is home to many of the nation's most advanced healthcare facilities, offering travel nurses opportunities for rewarding career growth alongside world-class entertainment. Even for local residents, Hollywood is a popular stop that delights star-gazers. Keep your eyes open. You never know what celebrity will walk past you as you tour the movie-making capital of the world. Los Angeles offers more than celebrity encounters. Visit one of the coast's best beaches for outdoor fun or browse some of the most elite shopping centers in the nation.
You'll find that Colorado's third-largest community is one of the best cities for travel nurses. That's especially true if you love the mountains and the outdoors. While Aurora meets most needs, a short drive to nearby Denver gives you access to more dining, shopping, and entertainment resources. Sports-loving nurses can attend games all year in the Aurora area.
Finding housing for travel nurses in Boston isn't hard. The high-quality medical care facilities in the city have led to a need for apartment and room rentals. Property owners are happy to fill that need with comfortable and affordable options. As you explore this historically rich city, you'll experience welcoming neighborhoods, a wide range of arts and culture, and exciting nightlife. If you appreciate culture and art, visit Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. Sports lovers can take in a game at Fenway Park. The city's largest park is Boston Common. Since Boston sits on the East Coast, you can expect excellent seafood restaurants, harbor sunset cruises, and a variety of sandy beaches.
Explore the Deep South and pursue an enriching career as you relocate to Atlanta. Nurses who like warm weather and bustling city life will learn that this Southern community is among the best places to work as a travel nurse. The city is widely known for its love of sports, but it also offers some of the most tantalizing dining experiences and the trendiest shopping in the country.
Another one of the best cities for travel nurses is Seattle. While this northwest city experiences the full range of seasons, nurses new to the area should expect frequent rainfall. The lush, green environment in Seattle provides a visual delight as you visit the city's cafes, restaurants, pubs, and shopping centers. The city offers a vibrant music scene as well.
Every day will feel like a tropical vacation on this Hawaiian island. There are both popular and hidden beaches that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean. In addition, you can hike to nearby volcanoes or explore other islands close to Honolulu. Immerse yourself in traditional Polynesian culture or enjoy drinks and dancing after the sun goes down. Key stat: Houston, as the nation's fourth-largest city, has a consistent need for high-quality healthcare providers, with facilities like MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Medical Center.
Many travel nurses end up in Houston at one time or another. As the nation's fourth-largest city, Houston has a consistent need for high-quality healthcare providers. Nurses can specialize in cancer treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center or choose another area of interest at Texas Medical Center. When you're not working, you won't have to worry about occupying your time. As a coastal city, Houston has beaches and piers that offer sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and snorkeling. The city's downtown area has dining options to fulfill every craving. There's often a concert, play, or sporting event to anticipate in one of the city's many venues.
RotatingRoom makes it easy to reserve room rentals in many of the best cities for travel nurses. Many rentals specifically seek nurses and medical school students. Boarding with other healthcare professionals can help you feel safer and more comfortable as you move to a new city. Learn more when you find a room on our listing pages. For tips on saving money wherever the next assignment takes you, check out how to save money on travel nurse housing and learn what to look for in travel nurse housing near hospitals.
Among the cities on this list, Houston, Atlanta, and Phoenix generally offer some of the most affordable housing options for travel nurses. Cost of living is lower in these cities compared to coastal metros like New York City, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. Nurses can stretch their housing stipends further in these more affordable markets.
Yes, travel nurses typically have significant input on their assignment locations. Staffing agencies present available contracts in various cities, and nurses can accept or decline based on personal preferences, pay rates, and location. Researching cities in advance helps nurses make informed decisions about where to accept their next contract.
Living with roommates, especially other healthcare professionals, is a common and generally safe arrangement for travel nurses. Platforms like RotatingRoom connect nurses with housing where other medical professionals already live, which provides a built-in sense of community. This arrangement also significantly reduces housing costs compared to renting a solo apartment.
Booking housing 4 to 6 weeks before an assignment start date is generally recommended. Popular cities and peak seasons can cause availability to tighten, so earlier searches provide more options. Using online platforms to browse listings and secure housing before arriving eliminates the stress of searching after relocation.
The housing stipend varies by assignment location, with higher-cost cities typically offering larger stipends. However, a bigger stipend does not always mean more savings. Nurses who choose assignments in cities with lower rent relative to the stipend amount can pocket the difference as additional income. This makes mid-size cities particularly attractive for budget-conscious nurses.
Yes, many housing platforms allow searching by proximity to specific medical facilities. RotatingRoom listings include detailed location information and proximity to nearby hospitals and medical centers. Filtering by neighborhood or distance to a specific workplace helps nurses find housing that minimizes commute time.