Tips & Guides / Travel Nursing

5 Best Cities for Travel Nurses

By Landing | Aug 9, 2020
View of Denver, Colorado

Life as a travel nurse can be an exciting whirlwind of a journey. 

Since most travel nursing assignments only last 13 weeks, you have a seemingly endless opportunity to see new sights, live in new places, meet new people, and bring your healing talents to those most in need.  

But deciding the next place to call home is quite the challenge for a nurse practitioner. There’s so much to consider—salary, availability of fully-furnished apartments, or other housing options, and of course, the city itself. The sheer possibility of it all is the perfect recipe for choice paralysis. 

Need some help finding the best cities for nurses on the go? 

We can help with these city insights and relocation tips

1. Austin 

Texas’ capital city is the country’s moving mecca. For nine straight years Austin has been the fastest-growing major metropolitan area in the country, adding more than 169 people per day, which makes it one of the best places for travel nursing.  

That growth is happening for good reason—people simply love living in Austin, Texas. The jewel of the Lone Star State, it’s stunning cityscape is draped in quaint neighborhoods, riverways, and city parks. And few cities are able to pull off its eclectic mix of BoHo and big city living. Although there’s plenty to do and see, it’s best known for its food, music, arts, and nightlife scene. 

Want a night out on the town? Take a stroll down Sixth Street. Looking for some perfectly smoked brisket? Go get in line at Franklin’s BBQ—and bring a chair!  Is it a hot summer day? Take a dip with other Austinites at the Barton Springs Pool. 

The vibrant city has a little something for everyone. 

  • Average Travel Nurse Salary – The average annual salary for a travel nurse in Austin is $96,308. That figure ranges between $82,520 (25th percentile) to $106,791 (75th percentile). And your dollar will go further there than it would on the coast.    
  • Average Rent Prices  – The average one-bedroom apartment will run for $1,439. However, the average may vary depending on which furnished apartment in Austin you choose. 

2. Los Angeles 

Are you looking for a place that’s 75 and sunny most of the year? Then LA is the place to be. The sprawling metropolis that makes up the “city of stars” is home to all the varied, eclectic sights and scenes of SoCal living. 

If you’re looking for that perfect blend of sandy beaches plus glitz and glam, few places are quite like LA. And because it’s so big, there are seemingly millions of options for activities, cuisines, and places to live. No matter who you are or what you like, in a city so massive, it’s impossible to not have a good time. 

Catch a Lakers game at Staples, shop at the 3rd Street Promenade, dine next to movie stars at Chateau Marmont, take a surfing lesson in Malibu—the possibilities are endless.   

For travel nurses, few cities have as many high-quality hospitals concentrated in one area. LA has 4 of the top 10 hospitals in the state, including:  

  • The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Huntington Memorial Hospital
  • Keck Hospital of USC

And because of just how big LA is, each place you live can have a totally different feel, whether it’s Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Downtown, Brentwood, or Hermosa Beach. Each locale has its own unique living style, food and nightlife scene, and rental market. 

  • Average Travel Nurse Salary – The average annual pay for a travel nurse in Los Angeles is $106,609. That figure ranges between $83,645 (25th percentile) to $110,115 (75th percentile). 
  • Average Rent Prices – LA is on the pricey side considering the high demand, with the average one-bedroom apartment coming in at $2,524. 

Not to mention, Los Angeles has plenty of furnished apartments so travel nurses can move right in without the stress of moving furniture. Grab a Landing furnished apartment if you’re looking for the best furnished apartments in Los Angeles.

3. Birmingham

Birmingham, the “Magic City” is the most populous city in the state and home to some of the most richly historic areas in all of the south. If you’re looking for a city with greenery, the lovely city has more green space per capita than any major metropolitan area in the country. 

Home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the city is jam-packed with exuberant college students and young professionals seeking to make their way in the world. It has a bustling downtown and a booming culinary scene.

Birmingham is one of the best cities for travel nursing experts who love the great outdoors. The Appalachian Mountains are a stone’s throw away, not to mention there are all types of activities available, including hiking and biking trails, parks, rivers, and lakes.   

  • Average Travel Nurse Salary – Birmingham has quite the range when it comes to nursing salaries. The average annual pay for a travel nurse is $91,896. That figure ranges between $78,740 (25th percentile) to $101,899 (75th percentile). 
  • Average Rent Prices – Rent in Birmingham is quite cheap – and with a travel nurse housing stipend, it’s that much cheaper. The average 1,000 square foot apartment costs $968. 

Find beautifully furnished apartments in Birmingham in your favorite neighborhood here.

4. Miami 

Do you need a little more Vitamin D in your life? Then Miami’s palm tree-lined beaches and aquamarine waters are calling your name. 

Miami is a vibrant, tropical paradise on the water. As a go-to travel destination, there’s so much to see and do. The music and culinary scenes are booming, the shopping is to die for, and the nightlife is unmatched. 

Want to check out the exotic wildlife? It’s easy to bike and explore the Everglades National Park. Feel like visiting Cuba? Little Havana gives you a taste of history and culture with all of its live music, dancing, restaurants, and bars. Are you a big city person? Downtown Miami is the third largest skyline in the U.S., trailing only NYC and Chicago. 

Florida has the highest percentages of travel nurses and healthcare professionals of any state in the country. This is largely due to seasonal population influxes cities like Miami receive as East Coasters flee their winters for that warm Florida sun. Not to mention, lots and lots of retirees.

  • Average Travel Nurse Salary – The average annual salary for a travel nurse in Miami is $94,196. That figure ranges between $80,710 (25th percentile) to $104,449 (75th percentile). 
  • Average Rent Prices – The average single bedroom apartment costs $1,702.

Looking for a place to call home? Check out our furnished apartments in Miami.

5. Nashville 

Do you love live music? Are you a fan of southern food? Then Nashville is the place to be. 

Home to the Grand Ole Opry House, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the historic Ryman Auditorium, you can walk the same streets that raised Elvis, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash to international stardom.

As the epicenter of the country and southern rock music world, there are few cities in America that offer a more exciting and eclectic mix of music, history, cuisine, and culture. A jaunt down 2nd avenue (AKA Nashvegas, AKA Honky-Tonk row) will take you past countless honky-tonks, bars, and restaurants—each one leaking the music of some talented, up and coming artist.  

If you need a break from the music scene there’s still plenty to do. There are parks, sporting events, unique festivals and events, culinary excursions, art exhibitions, and much, much more. 

Whether you live in Downtown, the Gulch, or the West End, few cities are as perfectly suited for travel nurses, especially since, outside of the service industry, the largest job market in the city is healthcare-based. 

  • Average Travel Nurse Salary – The average annual pay for a travel nurse in Nashville is $96,405. That figure ranges between $82,603 (25th percentile) to $106,898 (75th percentile). 
  • Average Rent Prices – The average one-bedroom apartment is $1,428.  

If Nashville is your calling, check out our furnished apartments in Nashville, TN. You’ll feel right at home as soon as you arrive for your assignment!

Wherever you go, Landing is built for you

Moving to a new city every few months and trying to lock down a short-term, month-to-month leasing option can be a hassle for those pursuing a travel nursing career. But it doesn’t have to be. 

Landing was made for people like you, who have to pick up and go every couple of months once a travel assignment ends. 

When you stay with us, you get the luxury of a hotel and the comfort of your own home, without all of the cost or upkeep. Benefits of Landing include:  

  • Leasing instantly – We have a fast and easy approval process that’s hassle-free. There’s none of the nightmarish paperwork. Simply click and lock in your dream apartment in seconds. 
  • Traveling where you want when you want – When it comes to relocation housing, Landing has a network of expertly curated apartments spanning the country. There are no long-term commitments, no leases. Move to a new city tomorrow, add another month to your stay, or move to a new part of the same city—it’s your choice. 
  • Living comfortably with a fully furnished apartment– Every Landing is beautifully designed. They come fully furnished and stocked with all of the living amenities you need to feel like you’re at home. Every Landing includes:
    • Comfy bedding and linens
    • Ultra-fast WiFi
    • Lush toiletries and plush towels
    • Kitchen appliances, cutlery, and tableware
    • Bespoke furniture
    • Designer decor
    • Smart TV 

  Moving in is a breeze. Simply bring your suitcase and you’ll be set. 

  • Stress-free living – When you become a Landing member, you get 24/7 concierge service. You can make an appointment for a room cleaning, or request a repair—all through the app. 

Whether you need a short-term place to stay for your nursing program, or you’re looking for a longer lease, Landing is made for you. We have hundreds of incredible locations in all of the above cities. But that’s not all. We also serve dozens of other hotspots booming with job opportunities. From furnished apartments in San Francisco to New York, we’ve got you covered.

Are you ready to change the way you work and live? Landing is here to help you keep your enhance your lifestyle.

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Landing

Ted may be the world's slowest typist and struggle to hold a pen, but he has mastered how to pursue a more flexible lifestyle throughout his airborne adventures around the U.S. Whether you're looking for more information before migrating to a new city or want to find an easier way to rent a nest—erm, apartment—Ted will always be here to share his best advice for where to live and how to thrive.