Travel Nurse Housing in Atlanta, Georgia: Complete Guide

Atlanta is the economic and cultural capital of the Southeast, a sprawling metropolis known for its history, diverse neighborhoods, and booming economy. For travel nurses, Atlanta offers an enormous healthcare market, a moderate cost of living for a major city, and a vibrant urban experience with world-class dining and entertainment.

Atlanta’s healthcare market is one of the largest in the Southeast, anchored by Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, Grady Health System, and Northside Hospital. The presence of the CDC and Emory University makes Atlanta a center for infectious disease and public health expertise.

Whether you are heading to Atlanta 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. Atlanta 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

Atlanta 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.

Emory University Hospital — The flagship of Emory Healthcare and a nationally ranked academic medical center. Known for its infectious disease program, transplant surgery, and cancer care, Emory offers travel nurses an elite clinical environment.

Grady Memorial Hospital — Atlanta’s safety-net hospital and one of the largest public hospitals in the Southeast. Grady is a Level I trauma center with extremely high volumes and a diverse patient population.

Piedmont Atlanta Hospital — The flagship of Piedmont Healthcare, located in the Buckhead area. It is known for cardiac care, orthopedics, and women’s health.

Northside Hospital Atlanta — One of the busiest delivery hospitals in the country, Northside is known for its women’s and children’s services and cancer programs.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — One of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the country, operating Scottish Rite and Egleston hospitals. Pediatric travel nurses find exceptional experience here.

Travel nurse demand in Atlanta is generally very strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, telemetry, and L&D being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter flu season and summer months. 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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta.

Midtown

Atlanta’s arts and culture hub with Piedmont Park, the Beltline trail, excellent restaurants, and a walkable urban core. It is close to Emory Midtown and Piedmont Hospital.

Pros: Walkable with Beltline access, Piedmont Park, vibrant dining and nightlife, close to Midtown hospitals, MARTA access

Cons: Higher rents, parking can be expensive, crowded during events and on the Beltline

Virginia-Highland

A charming residential neighborhood with boutique shops, restaurants, and a walkable village feel along Highland Avenue.

Pros: Walkable village atmosphere, excellent restaurants, safe and well-maintained, Beltline access

Cons: Higher rents, limited parking on Highland, farther from some hospitals, quiet nightlife

Old Fourth Ward

A rapidly developing neighborhood along the Beltline with Ponce City Market, new apartment buildings, and a mix of old and new Atlanta.

Pros: Beltline access, Ponce City Market, growing dining scene, close to Grady and Emory Midtown, MARTA access

Cons: Gentrifying rapidly with rising rents, some blocks are transitional, construction disruption

Decatur

A charming small city within the Atlanta metro with an excellent restaurant scene centered around the downtown square and easy MARTA access to Atlanta.

Pros: Excellent restaurants, walkable downtown square, MARTA access, safe and community-oriented

Cons: Higher rents, farther from Atlanta hospitals unless near MARTA, suburban in outer areas

Buckhead

Atlanta’s upscale district with high-end shopping, dining, and proximity to Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and Northside Hospital.

Pros: Upscale dining and shopping, close to Piedmont and Northside hospitals, safe, MARTA access

Cons: Expensive rents, traffic congestion, can feel commercial, less neighborhood character

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Atlanta traffic is notoriously bad. MARTA rail and bus service can help if your hospital is near a station, but most travel nurses drive. Living close to your hospital is essential to avoid soul-crushing commutes on I-285 or I-85. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Atlanta through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

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

Atlanta’s rental market is competitive but offers more value than coastal metros. Furnished apartments are available, especially along the Beltline corridor and near major hospital campuses. Start searching four weeks before your assignment and prioritize proximity to your hospital over neighborhood trendiness.

Many travel nurses in Atlanta 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 Atlanta, GA 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 Atlanta

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

Traffic is the biggest challenge — Atlanta traffic regularly ranks among the worst in the country. Choose housing within a few miles of your hospital or along a MARTA line. A 10-mile drive can take over an hour during rush hour.
MARTA can be a game-changer — If your hospital is accessible via MARTA rail, consider living near a station. The Red and Gold lines serve Midtown, Buckhead, and Decatur, where many hospitals are located.
Georgia is not a compact state — Georgia is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you will need to obtain a Georgia nursing license if you do not already have one.
Summer heat and humidity — Atlanta summers are hot and humid, with temperatures in the 90s and high humidity from June through September. Air conditioning is essential.

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

Atlanta’s cost of living is above the national average, driven by housing and transportation costs. Groceries are at the national average. Gas is moderate. Dining out is very accessible with an incredible range of options from Southern comfort food to international cuisine. Georgia has a state income tax with a top rate around 5.49 percent.

When budgeting for your Atlanta assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix, Kroger, and Aldi are popular grocery options. Atlanta’s diverse food scene offers excellent value, especially at the many ethnic restaurants in Buford Highway corridor. The Beltline and Atlanta’s many parks provide free recreation. 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. Atlanta has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

Atlanta BeltLine — A 22-mile multi-use trail loop connecting many of Atlanta’s neighborhoods with public art, parks, and restaurants. It is the city’s most popular recreational and social space.
Piedmont Park — A 185-acre urban park in Midtown with a lake, running trails, tennis courts, and spectacular views of the Atlanta skyline.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park — Visit the birthplace, church, and memorial of Dr. King in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood. The museum and grounds are free and deeply moving.
Ponce City Market — A mixed-use development on the Beltline in a former Sears building featuring a food hall, shops, and a rooftop carnival with skyline views.
Stone Mountain Park — A 3,200-acre park east of Atlanta featuring the massive Confederate Memorial carved into Stone Mountain, hiking trails, and laser shows.

Take full advantage of your time in Atlanta. 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

Atlanta, Georgia offers travel nurses one of the largest and most diverse healthcare markets in the Southeast, a vibrant food and culture scene, and an urban experience anchored by the BeltLine that connects neighborhoods throughout the city. With Emory Healthcare, Grady Health System, Piedmont Healthcare, and Northside Hospital 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 Atlanta, 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 Atlanta assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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