Airbnb vs. Extended Stay Hotels for Travel Nurses: Full Comparison

Introduction: Two Popular Options, One Decision

When you accept a travel nurse assignment, the housing question usually comes down to two mainstream options: book an Airbnb or check into an extended-stay hotel. Both are fully furnished, both work for 13-week stays, and both let you avoid the hassle of signing a traditional lease with a local landlord.

But they are fundamentally different experiences. One gives you a home in a neighborhood. The other gives you a hotel room with a kitchenette and a front desk. The right choice depends on your budget, your assignment location, how much flexibility you need, and what kind of living environment keeps you sane during a demanding contract.

This guide compares every factor that matters so you can make the right call for your next assignment.

Quick Comparison: Airbnb vs. Extended Stay vs. Furnished Finder

Here is a side-by-side overview of the three most popular housing options for travel nurses.

Option	Avg Monthly Cost	Kitchen	Flexibility	Loyalty Rewards	Best For
Extended Stay Hotel (Budget)	$1,400 - $2,200	Kitchenette (limited)	Check out anytime (24-48 hrs notice)	Marriott/Hilton/IHG points	First-time travelers wanting predictability
Extended Stay Hotel (Mid-Range)	$2,200 - $3,500	Full kitchen	Check out anytime (24-48 hrs notice)	Marriott/Hilton/IHG points + elite perks	Nurses maximizing loyalty points and perks
Airbnb (Entire Place)	$1,800 - $3,200 (after fees)	Full kitchen (usually)	Varies by host (strict to flexible)	None	Home-like feel, space, and quiet neighborhoods
Furnished Finder	$1,200 - $2,500	Full kitchen (usually)	Lease terms (typically 13 weeks)	None	Lowest cost, no platform fees

Costs vary significantly by market. Always compare options in your specific assignment city.

Extended-Stay Hotels: What You Get

Extended-stay hotels are purpose-built for guests staying weeks or months rather than days. They bridge the gap between a standard hotel and an apartment, offering more space and kitchen facilities than a typical hotel room while keeping the ease of hotel living.

Popular chains for travel nurses:

Extended Stay America — the largest extended-stay chain with the widest coverage
Residence Inn by Marriott — higher-end with full kitchens and complimentary breakfast
Homewood Suites by Hilton — spacious suites with evening social events
Home2 Suites by Hilton — modern design, eco-friendly, pet-friendly
WoodSpring Suites — budget-focused weekly rates
TownePlace Suites by Marriott — mid-range with Marriott Bonvoy points
Staybridge Suites (IHG) — suite-style with IHG Rewards integration

Standard amenities across most extended-stay chains include a kitchenette or full kitchen, weekly housekeeping, on-site laundry, free parking, WiFi, and sometimes a fitness center and pool. You pay weekly or monthly, and there is no lease to sign.

Monthly rates vary widely by brand and market. Budget chains like WoodSpring Suites and Extended Stay America range from $1,400 to $2,200 per month in most markets. Mid-range options like Residence Inn and Homewood Suites run $2,200 to $3,500. In high-cost cities, expect to pay more.

For detailed reviews of each chain, see our extended stay hotel guide.

Airbnb: What You Get

Airbnb connects you with individual property owners who rent out furnished homes, apartments, condos, and rooms. For travel nurses, the key is filtering for monthly stays, which triggers significant discounts compared to nightly pricing. Many hosts offer 30 to 50 percent monthly discounts, and some will negotiate further for a 13-week commitment.

Listings range from private rooms in shared homes (budget option) to entire houses with yards and garages (premium option). What you get depends entirely on the specific listing: some Airbnbs have full gourmet kitchens, in-unit laundry, and a home office, while others are a converted garage with a hot plate and a shared bathroom.

The host experience also varies. Some hosts are professional property managers with quick response times and clear communication. Others are individuals renting out a spare room who may not respond for days. Reading reviews is essential.

Typical monthly costs for entire-place Airbnb listings in mid-range markets fall between $1,500 and $2,800 before fees. After Airbnb’s service fee (approximately 14 percent) and any cleaning fees, the total can be $1,800 to $3,200 for a month.

Cost Comparison

Cost is often the deciding factor, so let us break down the real numbers.

High-Cost Market (Example: San Francisco Bay Area)

	Airbnb (Entire Place)	Extended Stay (Mid-Range)
Monthly rent	$2,800 - $3,500	$3,000 - $4,000
Service/cleaning fees	$400 - $550/month	$0
Utilities	Usually included	Included
Total monthly cost	$3,200 - $4,050	$3,000 - $4,000

Mid-Range Market (Example: Nashville, Denver, Phoenix)

	Airbnb (Entire Place)	Extended Stay (Mid-Range)
Monthly rent	$1,800 - $2,500	$2,200 - $3,000
Service/cleaning fees	$250 - $400/month	$0
Utilities	Usually included	Included
Total monthly cost	$2,050 - $2,900	$2,200 - $3,000

Lower-Cost Market (Example: Rural Texas, Midwest, Small Cities)

	Airbnb (Entire Place)	Extended Stay (Budget)
Monthly rent	$1,200 - $1,800	$1,400 - $2,000
Service/cleaning fees	$170 - $280/month	$0
Utilities	Usually included	Included
Total monthly cost	$1,370 - $2,080	$1,400 - $2,000

The takeaway: Airbnb and extended-stay hotels are often closer in price than you might expect after fees. In mid-range and lower-cost markets, Airbnb can be slightly cheaper if you find a good monthly deal. In high-cost markets, extended-stay hotels sometimes win on price because Airbnb fees erode the savings.

The real cost savings often come from a third option: Furnished Finder , where you pay no platform fees at all. Check out our Furnished Finder review for details.

How to Negotiate on Both Platforms

Airbnb: Message hosts before booking. Explain you are a travel nurse on a 13-week assignment. Ask about monthly discounts, whether the cleaning fee can be waived for a long stay, and whether they offer a healthcare worker rate. Many hosts will create a custom offer.

Extended-stay hotels: Call the property directly rather than booking online. Ask for the “extended stay” or “healthcare worker” rate. Mention that you are booking for 13 weeks. Ask if your staffing agency has a corporate rate. Front desk managers often have authority to discount 10 to 20 percent below published rates.

Space and Comfort

This is where Airbnb and extended-stay hotels diverge most dramatically.

Extended-stay hotels typically offer studio or one-bedroom suites ranging from 300 to 500 square feet. The kitchenette usually includes a small refrigerator, a two-burner stovetop or microwave, basic cookware, and limited counter space. You are living in one or two rooms with a bathroom. It is functional but compact.

Airbnb listings vary enormously, but entire-place rentals commonly offer 600 to 1,200 square feet with a full kitchen (full-size refrigerator, oven, dishwasher), a separate living room, one or more bedrooms, and sometimes in-unit laundry. Some listings include outdoor space, a garage, and a dedicated workspace.

For meal prep: If cooking is important to you (and it should be for budgeting purposes), Airbnb generally wins. A full kitchen with counter space, an oven, and a full-size refrigerator makes meal prepping for the week dramatically easier than working with a hotel kitchenette.

For sleep quality: Extended-stay hotels can be noisy. Hallway foot traffic, elevator dings, ice machines, and other guests all create ambient noise that can disrupt sleep, especially for night-shift nurses sleeping during the day. Airbnb listings in residential neighborhoods tend to be quieter, though this varies by the specific property.

Flexibility and Cancellation

Extended-stay hotels offer the most flexibility of any housing option. Most allow you to leave with as little as 24 to 48 hours notice on weekly rates. If your contract gets cancelled, you check out and you are done. No lease to break, no penalty to negotiate.

Airbnb cancellation policies vary by host. Some offer flexible cancellation (full refund up to 24 hours before check-in), while others have strict policies (50 percent refund up to one week before check-in, no refund after). For travel nurses, this matters because contracts do get cancelled, sometimes at the last minute.

Bottom line: If your contract start date is uncertain, if you are worried about cancellation, or if you want maximum flexibility, extended-stay hotels are the safer bet. If your contract is confirmed and your dates are solid, Airbnb’s lower cost may be worth the stricter cancellation terms.

Consistency and Quality

Extended-stay hotels deliver a standardized experience. A Residence Inn in Phoenix will look and feel very similar to a Residence Inn in Charlotte. You know what the room will look like, what amenities will be available, and what the overall experience will be. This predictability is valuable when you are booking sight-unseen in an unfamiliar city.

Airbnb quality is wildly inconsistent. Some listings are beautifully maintained, professionally cleaned, and exactly as described. Others have outdated photos, questionable cleanliness, and hosts who are difficult to reach. The review system helps, but even well-reviewed listings can disappoint.

How to mitigate Airbnb risk: Look for Superhost badges (indicates consistent high ratings), read reviews from recent guests (especially long-term stays), verify photos with a video tour request, and check the response rate and response time displayed on the host’s profile.

Loyalty programs add value to the hotel side. Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG Rewards all allow you to earn points on extended stays. A 13-week stay at a Residence Inn can earn enough Marriott Bonvoy points for several free nights on future trips. Airbnb has no comparable loyalty program.

For more on maximizing hotel loyalty points, see our best hotel credit cards for travel nurses.

Location and Proximity

Extended-stay hotels are typically located near highways, commercial areas, and business districts. They are convenient for driving but may not be in residential neighborhoods with walkable amenities like grocery stores, parks, or restaurants.

Airbnb listings are often in residential neighborhoods, which means you are living in the communities where locals live. This usually puts you closer to hospitals (which are often in residential areas) and gives you access to neighborhood amenities.

For night-shift nurses: Consider your commute carefully. An Airbnb in a quiet residential neighborhood five minutes from the hospital beats a hotel 25 minutes away along a highway, especially when you are driving home exhausted at 7:30 AM. Use Google Maps to check commute times during your actual shift-change hours.

Amenities Comparison

Amenity	Extended Stay Hotel	Airbnb
Kitchen	Kitchenette (limited)	Full kitchen (usually)
Internet	Hotel WiFi (shared)	Host WiFi (varies in quality)
Parking	Free lot (usually)	Driveway/street (varies)
Housekeeping	Weekly included	Self-clean (usually)
Laundry	On-site (shared)	In-unit (often)
Gym	On-site (basic)	None
Front desk	24/7 available	None
Pet policy	Pet fees ($50-150/stay)	Varies by listing
Mail/packages	Front desk holds	Mailbox/porch

Best Extended-Stay Hotel Chains for Travel Nurses

Extended Stay America: Best value. The largest extended-stay chain with properties in nearly every market. Basic but functional rooms with full kitchens. Monthly rates are among the lowest in the industry. Best for budget-maximizing nurses who do not need premium amenities.

Residence Inn by Marriott: Best quality. Full kitchens, complimentary breakfast, grocery delivery service, and sport courts at many locations. Marriott Bonvoy points accumulate fast on long stays. More expensive but the best overall experience.

Homewood Suites by Hilton: Best for social nurses. Spacious suites with full kitchens. Complimentary breakfast and evening social events (free light dinner and drinks on select evenings). Hilton Honors points. A great option if you want some built-in socializing in a new city.

Home2 Suites by Hilton: Best for modern design. Newer properties with contemporary design, eco-friendly features, and flexible workspace areas. Full kitchens and pet-friendly policies. Hilton Honors integration.

WoodSpring Suites: Best budget option. Very basic but very affordable. Full kitchens, free parking, in-room WiFi. Minimal common amenities but the lowest weekly rates you will find from a national chain. Best for nurses who just need a clean, quiet place to sleep.

Tips for Booking Airbnb as a Travel Nurse

Filter for monthly stays to see discounted rates. On the Airbnb search page, set your check-in and check-out dates to span at least 28 days.
Message hosts before booking. Introduce yourself as a travel nurse, explain your 13-week timeline, and ask about a custom monthly rate. Mention that you will be working long shifts and will be a quiet, low-maintenance guest.
Look for Superhost listings. Superhosts have consistently high ratings, low cancellation rates, and fast response times. They are more likely to be reliable for a long stay.
Read reviews from long-term guests. Short-stay reviews do not always capture the experience of living somewhere for weeks. Look for reviews from guests who stayed a month or longer.
Verify the listing. Do a reverse image search on the photos, check the address on Google Maps Street View, and cross-reference the listing on other platforms. See our housing scams guide for the full verification process.
Ask about cancellation flexibility. Explain that healthcare contracts can be cancelled and ask if the host would consider a modified cancellation policy for your booking.
Never pay off-platform. If a host asks you to send money outside of Airbnb (via Venmo, Zelle, or wire transfer), do not do it. Airbnb’s payment protection only covers transactions processed through the platform.

When to Choose Extended Stay

First-time travelers who want simplicity and predictability
Short or uncertain contract lengths where flexibility to leave is important
Areas with limited Airbnb inventory or where Airbnb is not significantly cheaper
Nurses who value loyalty points and want to build hotel status
Last-minute housing needs where you need to book and check in within days
Nurses who prefer housekeeping service and do not want to clean

When to Choose Airbnb

Budget-conscious nurses who can find monthly deals below hotel rates
Nurses who want a home-like experience with a full kitchen and separate living spaces
Assignments in residential areas near the hospital where Airbnbs are plentiful
Nurses with specific needs like a full kitchen for meal prep, a yard for pets, or extra bedrooms for family
Night-shift nurses who need a quiet, residential environment for daytime sleeping
Longer assignments (13+ weeks) where the cost savings compound

FAQ

Can I use my housing stipend for either option? Yes. Your tax-free housing stipend can be used for any housing arrangement, including Airbnb and extended-stay hotels. The stipend is not restricted to a specific type of housing. See our stipend guide for details.

Which earns better rewards points? Extended-stay hotels, without question. Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG Rewards all offer robust point-earning on hotel stays, and a 13-week extended stay can earn tens of thousands of points. Airbnb has no comparable loyalty program. Pair your hotel stay with a co-branded hotel credit card to earn even faster.

What about VRBO vs. Airbnb? VRBO operates similarly to Airbnb but focuses on entire-home rentals (no shared rooms). Pricing and fees are comparable. It is worth checking VRBO alongside Airbnb since some properties are listed on one platform but not the other.

Is Furnished Finder better than both? For many travel nurses, yes. Furnished Finder offers no tenant fees, travel-nurse-focused landlords, and typically lower monthly rates than either Airbnb or extended-stay hotels. It requires more legwork (direct landlord communication, no instant booking), but the savings can be significant. Read our full Furnished Finder review.

How do I handle mail and packages at each? Extended-stay hotels typically accept packages at the front desk and hold them for you. For Airbnb, use the listing address for deliveries and confirm with the host that packages can be left at the door. Amazon Lockers are a reliable alternative for both options.

Key Takeaways

Extended stay hotels win on convenience, consistency, and flexibility. No lease, no landlord, predictable quality, and loyalty points. You pay a premium for that ease.
Airbnb wins on space, home-like feel, and often cost. Full kitchens, separate living areas, and residential neighborhoods. You accept more variability in quality and stricter cancellation terms.
Your best choice depends on your assignment. Check costs for both options in your specific market before deciding. In some cities, Airbnb is clearly cheaper. In others, extended-stay hotels are competitive after fees.
Do not overlook Furnished Finder as a third option that often beats both on price.

Compare all three options for your next assignment location, and check out our complete housing guide for the full picture.

Affiliate Placement Notes

Extended stay hotel affiliate links (brand-specific) in “Best Extended-Stay Chains” section
Airbnb referral link in introduction and “Tips for Booking Airbnb” section
VRBO referral link in FAQ
Furnished Finder affiliate link in FAQ and key takeaways
Hotel credit card affiliate links where loyalty points are discussed