Travel Nurse Housing in Amarillo, Texas: Complete Guide
Amarillo sits in the Texas Panhandle along historic Route 66, serving as the healthcare hub for a vast rural region. Travel nurses find no state income tax, very affordable living, and strong demand driven by the remote location and large service area.
Amarillo’s healthcare includes BSA Health System and Northwest Texas Healthcare System.
Whether you are heading to Amarillo 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. Amarillo 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
Amarillo 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.
BSA Hospital — The region’s Level II trauma center with comprehensive services serving the Texas Panhandle.
Northwest Texas Hospital — A large community hospital with emergency, cardiac, and surgical services.
Travel nurse demand in Amarillo 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 winter flu season. 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 Amarillo 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 Amarillo.
Wolflin and Sleepy Hollow
Established residential areas south of I-40 with tree-lined streets.
Pros: Safe, residential character, moderate rents, central location
Cons: Car-dependent, limited nightlife, older housing
Coulter and Soncy corridors
Newer commercial and residential areas in southwest Amarillo.
Pros: Modern apartments, good shopping, affordable, safe
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character
Downtown Amarillo
The revitalizing Route 66 downtown district with restaurants and shops.
Pros: Growing dining scene, Route 66 character, close to hospitals, affordable
Cons: Still developing, limited nightlife, some blocks need awareness
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Amarillo is car-dependent. The city is small with commutes under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Amarillo through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Amarillo are 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: $600 to $900 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $700 to $1,050 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $850 to $1,350 per month
Amarillo is extremely affordable. No state income tax and very low rent create exceptional savings potential.
Many travel nurses in Amarillo 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 Amarillo, TX 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 Amarillo
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Amarillo that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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No state income tax — Texas has no state income tax, making this financially attractive.
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Panhandle weather extremes — Amarillo has extreme weather ranging from blizzards to heatwaves. Wind is constant.
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Palo Duro Canyon is spectacular — The second-largest canyon in the US is 25 minutes south and is a must-visit.
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Remote location may mean premium pay — Travel nurse packages often include premium rates for Amarillo’s remote location.
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
Amarillo has one of the lowest costs of living in the country. Everything from housing to groceries to dining is well below national averages.
When budgeting for your Amarillo assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. United Supermarkets and Walmart are the main grocery options. Amarillo’s steakhouses are famous and very affordable. The Big Texan offers a free 72-oz steak if you can eat it in an hour. 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. Amarillo has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park — The second-largest canyon in the US with stunning red rock formations, hiking trails, and the outdoor musical drama TEXAS in summer.
- Cadillac Ranch — An iconic roadside art installation of ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground, which visitors can spray-paint.
- Big Texan Steak Ranch — A famous Route 66 restaurant known for its 72-oz steak challenge.
- Route 66 Historic District — Explore Amarillo’s section of the Mother Road with vintage neon signs and nostalgic Americana.
Take full advantage of your time in Amarillo. 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
Amarillo, Texas offers travel nurses an extremely affordable Panhandle city with no state income tax, strong hospitals serving a vast region, and unique Route 66 character. With BSA Health System and Northwest Texas Healthcare System and a low 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 Amarillo, 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 Amarillo assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Amarillo assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.