Travel Nurse Housing in Asheville, North Carolina: Complete Guide

Asheville is a vibrant mountain city in western North Carolina known for its arts scene, craft beer culture, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Travel nurses find a unique community, stunning scenery, and hospitals that serve the mountain region.

Asheville’s healthcare includes Mission Hospital (HCA) and the VA Medical Center.

Whether you are heading to Asheville 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. Asheville 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

Asheville 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.

Mission Hospital — An HCA facility and the only Level II trauma center in western North Carolina. It is the largest hospital in the region.

Charles George VA Medical Center — A VA facility serving veterans in western North Carolina.

Travel nurse demand in Asheville 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 fall foliage season (October) and 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 Asheville 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 Asheville.

West Asheville

A trendy neighborhood along Haywood Road with restaurants, shops, and breweries.

Pros: Walkable, excellent dining and breweries, community character, creative vibe

Cons: Higher rents, limited parking, gentrification has increased costs

North Asheville

A residential area near UNC Asheville with tree-lined streets and moderate rents.

Pros: Residential calm, moderate rents, close to hospital, tree-lined streets

Cons: Car-dependent, limited nightlife, quiet evenings

Downtown Asheville

The walkable city center with art galleries, restaurants, and live music.

Pros: Walkable, world-class dining, arts and music scene, cultural attractions

Cons: Expensive, tourist crowds, limited parking, noise from nightlife

South Asheville and Arden

Suburban area near the airport with affordable housing.

Pros: Affordable, highway access, family-friendly, newer developments

Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, far from downtown, limited character

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Mountain roads can be challenging in winter but the city is compact. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Asheville through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Asheville are slightly 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: $950 to $1,500 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,100 to $1,800 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,400 to $2,200 per month

Asheville is more expensive than most NC cities due to tourism demand. West Asheville and North Asheville offer better value than downtown.

Many travel nurses in Asheville 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 Asheville, NC 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 Asheville

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

1. NC is a compact state — North Carolina is in the Nurse Licensure Compact.

2. The beer scene is world-class — Asheville has more breweries per capita than almost any US city.

3. Fall foliage drives up demand — October is peak tourist season. Housing demand and prices spike.

4. Mountain weather varies — Asheville’s elevation means cooler temperatures than the rest of NC, with occasional snow in winter.

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

Asheville’s cost of living is above the national average, driven by tourism and housing demand. Dining is excellent but can be pricey in tourist areas.

When budgeting for your Asheville assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Ingles and Earth Fare are popular grocery options. West Asheville restaurants offer better value than downtown tourist-oriented spots. 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. Asheville has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Blue Ridge Parkway — America’s Favorite Drive runs right through Asheville with stunning mountain overlooks, hiking trails, and fall foliage.
• Biltmore Estate — George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre estate with the largest privately owned home in America, gardens, and a winery.
• Brewery Tour — Visit dozens of craft breweries including Sierra Nevada’s East Coast taproom, Wicked Weed, and Burial Beer.
• Pisgah National Forest — Hiking, waterfalls, and mountain biking in the forests surrounding Asheville. Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock are must-visits.

Take full advantage of your time in Asheville. 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

Asheville, North Carolina offers travel nurses a vibrant mountain city with world-class craft beer, stunning Blue Ridge scenery, a thriving arts community, and a regional hospital that serves western North Carolina. With Mission Hospital (HCA) and a above 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 Asheville, 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 Asheville assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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