Travel Nurse Housing in Anchorage, Alaska: Complete Guide

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, perched between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet in one of the most spectacular natural settings of any city in the country. For travel nurses, Anchorage offers adventure, high pay rates, no state income tax, and a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness experience.

Anchorage’s healthcare market is small but significant. Providence Alaska Medical Center is the largest hospital in the state, and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANMC) serves Alaska Native and American Indian populations. Travel nurse demand is consistently strong due to the difficulty of recruiting permanent staff to this remote location.

Whether you are heading to Anchorage 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. Anchorage 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

Anchorage 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.

Providence Alaska Medical Center — Alaska’s largest hospital and the primary referral center for the entire state. It is a Level II trauma center offering comprehensive services.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANMC) — Alaska’s premier hospital for Alaska Native and American Indian patients, offering culturally sensitive care and unique patient population experience.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Hospital — A military medical facility with occasional travel nurse contracts through military staffing agencies.

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center — Located in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley north of Anchorage, serving the fast-growing Mat-Su Borough.

Travel nurse demand in Anchorage is generally consistently 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 months when darkness, cold, and staff burnout increase demand. 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 Anchorage 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 Anchorage.

Midtown

The commercial center of Anchorage with the most dining and shopping options, moderate apartment availability, and central location.

Pros: Central location, most amenities, close to hospitals, moderate rents for Anchorage

Cons: Commercial feel, limited walkability, traffic on major roads, not as scenic as other areas

South Addition

A residential neighborhood near downtown with older homes, tree-lined streets, and proximity to the Coastal Trail.

Pros: Walkable to downtown, Coastal Trail access, neighborhood character, close to hospitals

Cons: Higher rents, limited apartment options, older housing stock, parking can be tight

Hillside

A residential area on the slopes above Anchorage with mountain views, trail access, and a more suburban feel.

Pros: Mountain views, trail access, quiet and safe, scenic setting

Cons: Higher rents, car-dependent, snow removal challenges, farther from hospitals

Eagle River

A community 15 minutes north of Anchorage with a small-town feel, mountain scenery, and newer housing options.

Pros: Mountain scenery, small-town feel, newer apartments, outdoor recreation access

Cons: 20-minute commute to Anchorage hospitals, car-dependent, limited dining, isolated in winter

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Anchorage is car-dependent with a limited bus system. The city is relatively compact, and most commutes take 15 to 20 minutes. Winter driving can be challenging with ice, snow, and limited daylight. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Anchorage through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Anchorage are above 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: $1,100 to $1,700 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,300 to $2,000 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,600 to $2,500 per month

Anchorage housing is more expensive than you might expect given its size, but your pay package should include premium rates for the remote location. Furnished apartments are limited, and many travel nurses rent rooms in shared houses. Start searching early as inventory is limited.

Many travel nurses in Anchorage 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 Anchorage, AK 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 Anchorage

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

1. No state income tax — Alaska has no state income tax and actually pays residents a Permanent Fund Dividend. Your take-home pay on an Alaska assignment can be exceptional.

2. Winter darkness is intense — From November through February, Anchorage gets less than six hours of daylight. This can affect your mood and energy. Consider a light therapy lamp and vitamin D supplements.

3. Wildlife is everywhere — Moose routinely walk through neighborhoods, and bears are present in the surrounding areas. Learn wildlife safety and do not approach animals.

4. Summer is magical — If your assignment falls in summer, you will experience 20 hours of daylight, stunning mountain scenery, and access to some of the best outdoor recreation on earth.

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

Anchorage has a high cost of living driven by the cost of shipping goods to Alaska. Groceries are 30 to 40 percent above the national average. Gas is expensive. Dining out is pricey but offers unique Alaska options like fresh salmon and halibut. The absence of state income tax and the Alaska PFD partially offset these costs.

When budgeting for your Anchorage assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Costco and Fred Meyer offer the best grocery values. Stock up on non-perishables when possible. Fresh Alaska seafood is available directly from fishermen at reasonable prices. Take advantage of the incredible free outdoor activities throughout the year. 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. Anchorage has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Flattop Mountain — A popular day hike just outside the city with panoramic views of Anchorage, Cook Inlet, and the Alaska Range.
• Portage Glacier and Whittier — Drive an hour south through stunning mountain scenery to see glaciers, take a boat tour, and experience the Prince William Sound.
• Tony Knowles Coastal Trail — An 11-mile paved trail along the coast from downtown to Kincaid Park, popular with runners, bikers, and moose watchers.
• Denali National Park — About five hours north, Denali offers the chance to see North America’s tallest peak, grizzly bears, caribou, and vast wilderness.

Take full advantage of your time in Anchorage. 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

Anchorage, Alaska offers travel nurses an adventure of a lifetime with high pay, no state income tax, stunning wilderness at your doorstep, and a unique clinical experience serving Alaska’s diverse populations. With Providence Alaska Medical Center and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and a high 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 Anchorage, 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 Anchorage assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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