Travel Nurse Housing in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Complete Guide

Albuquerque sits in a high desert valley along the Rio Grande, framed by the Sandia Mountains. New Mexico’s largest city offers travel nurses an affordable cost of living, stunning natural scenery, a unique cultural blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo traditions, and a healthcare market that serves a vast region.

Albuquerque is the healthcare hub for all of New Mexico and parts of neighboring states. Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, and Lovelace Health System are the major providers. Travel nurse demand is strong due to the difficulty of recruiting permanent staff to this relatively remote metro area.

Whether you are heading to Albuquerque for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. ABQ has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.

Major Hospitals and Health Systems

Albuquerque is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.

University of New Mexico Hospital — The state’s only Level I trauma center and academic medical center, affiliated with the UNM School of Medicine. It serves as the primary referral center for the entire state and offers high-acuity experience.

Presbyterian Hospital — The flagship of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the largest private healthcare system in New Mexico. It offers comprehensive services and is a major travel nurse employer.

Lovelace Medical Center — Part of Ardent Health Services, Lovelace operates multiple campuses in Albuquerque providing community-based medical and surgical services.

Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center — A large VA hospital serving veterans across New Mexico, offering travel nurse opportunities through VA staffing channels.

Travel nurse demand in Albuquerque is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during Balloon Fiesta in October drives up short-term housing demand, and winter flu season increases hospital needs. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.

Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses

Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your Albuquerque assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in ABQ.

Nob Hill

Albuquerque’s trendiest neighborhood along Central Avenue (Route 66) with eclectic shops, restaurants, and bars. It has a walkable, bohemian atmosphere near UNM.

Pros: Walkable along Central, trendy restaurants and bars, close to UNM Hospital, Route 66 character

Cons: Higher rents for ABQ, parking is limited on Central, some noise from nightlife

Downtown and EDo (East Downtown)

Albuquerque’s downtown has been revitalized with restaurants, breweries, and entertainment venues. EDo connects downtown to Nob Hill with a growing corridor of businesses.

Pros: Growing dining and nightlife scene, close to Presbyterian Hospital, walkable to Nob Hill, affordable rents

Cons: Some blocks require safety awareness, limited grocery options downtown, can feel quiet on weekday evenings

Northeast Heights

A large residential area at the base of the Sandia Mountains with safe neighborhoods, shopping, and easy access to hiking trails. It is popular with professionals.

Pros: Safe neighborhoods, close to Sandia Mountain trails, good shopping, moderate rents

Cons: Car-dependent, suburban feel, farther from downtown hospitals, limited nightlife

Old Town

The historic heart of Albuquerque with adobe architecture, galleries, restaurants, and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center nearby.

Pros: Historic charm, adobe architecture, close to Old Town attractions, unique cultural experience

Cons: Tourist-oriented, limited housing options, farther from hospitals, limited nightlife

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Albuquerque is car-dependent with a limited bus system (ABQ RIDE). The city’s layout along the Rio Grande makes it relatively straightforward to navigate. Most commutes take 15 to 25 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Albuquerque through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Albuquerque are slightly below the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.

• Studio apartment: $700 to $1,100 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $850 to $1,300 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,100 to $1,700 per month

Albuquerque offers excellent value for travel nurse housing. Your stipend will stretch far, and furnished apartments are available at very reasonable prices. Nob Hill and the Northeast Heights are popular with travel nurses.

Many travel nurses in Albuquerque find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.

GSA Stipend Rate

The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the Albuquerque, NM area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.

It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.

Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.

Housing Tips for Albuquerque

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Albuquerque that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. Altitude and dryness adjustment — Albuquerque sits at about 5,000 feet. The altitude and extreme dryness can cause headaches, nosebleeds, and dehydration during your first week. Drink extra water and use moisturizer.

2. Balloon Fiesta affects housing — The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in early October draws hundreds of thousands of visitors. Short-term housing demand spikes dramatically during this two-week period.

3. The food is incredible — New Mexican cuisine is distinct from Mexican and Tex-Mex. The question ‘red or green?’ refers to chile, and the answer is everywhere. Green chile is a way of life here.

4. Stunning outdoor access — The Sandia Mountains, Sandia Peak Tramway, and the Bosque Trail along the Rio Grande provide outstanding outdoor recreation right in the city.

For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.

Cost of Living Overview

Albuquerque has a below-average cost of living that makes it very affordable for travel nurses. Groceries are slightly below the national average. Gas is moderate. Dining out is very affordable, with outstanding New Mexican restaurants serving enormous portions at reasonable prices. New Mexico does have a state income tax.

When budgeting for your Albuquerque assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Smith’s and Albertsons are the main grocery chains. New Mexican restaurants offer incredible value with generous portions. The city’s many free outdoor attractions, from hiking in the Sandias to walking the Bosque Trail, help keep entertainment costs low. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.

Things to Do on Days Off

One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. Albuquerque has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Sandia Peak Tramway — Ride the longest aerial tramway in North America to the top of the Sandia Mountains for stunning views of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
• Old Town Albuquerque — Explore the historic plaza with adobe architecture, galleries, jewelry shops, and the San Felipe de Neri Church dating to 1706.
• Bosque Trail — Miles of cottonwood-lined trails along the Rio Grande, perfect for running, biking, and bird watching in the heart of the city.
• International Balloon Fiesta — If your assignment overlaps with early October, witness the world’s largest hot air balloon festival with over 500 balloons launching at dawn.

Take full advantage of your time in ABQ. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.

Final Thoughts

Albuquerque, New Mexico offers travel nurses an affordable and culturally rich Southwest experience with strong hospital systems, stunning mountain scenery, and a unique food culture found nowhere else in the country. With UNM Hospital, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, and Lovelace Health System and a below average cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.

Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in Albuquerque, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.

For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for Albuquerque assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your Albuquerque assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.