Travel Nurse Housing in Austin, Texas: Complete Guide

Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States and a vibrant cultural hub known for its live music scene, outdoor lifestyle, and progressive attitude. For travel nurses, Austin offers a strong healthcare market, no state income tax, and a quality of life that consistently ranks among the best in the country.

Austin’s healthcare market has expanded rapidly to keep pace with the city’s population growth. Major systems include Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White, St. David’s HealthCare (HCA), and Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas. Travel nurse demand has grown alongside the population boom.

Whether you are heading to Austin 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. Austin 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

Austin 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.

Dell Seton Medical Center at UT — Austin’s only Level I trauma center and the teaching hospital for Dell Medical School at UT Austin. It is located downtown and serves as the region’s primary facility for the most critically ill and injured patients.

St. David’s Medical Center — Part of the HCA-affiliated St. David’s HealthCare system, this large hospital on East 32nd Street is one of Austin’s major acute care facilities with strong cardiac, surgical, and emergency programs.

Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin — A large Catholic hospital in central Austin that has been a cornerstone of the city’s healthcare community for decades. It is known for its community health programs and comprehensive medical services.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Lakeway — Located west of Austin in the growing Lake Travis area, this newer facility serves the rapidly expanding western suburbs and offers travel nurses a modern work environment.

St. David’s South Austin Medical Center — An HCA facility in South Austin that handles significant patient volumes and is a popular destination for travel nurses in med-surg, telemetry, and emergency specialties.

Travel nurse demand in Austin is generally strong and growing, 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 SXSW in March drives up short-term housing costs, and summer months see increased 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 Austin 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 Austin.

South Congress (SoCo)

One of Austin’s most iconic neighborhoods, South Congress features eclectic shops, food trucks, live music venues, and some of the city’s best restaurants. It is walkable and vibrant with a distinctly Austin character.

Pros: Iconic Austin atmosphere, walkable street with great food and shopping, close to downtown hospitals, vibrant nightlife and live music

Cons: Higher rents, parking is limited especially on weekends, noise from the entertainment district

East Austin

Once one of the city’s more affordable neighborhoods, East Austin has undergone significant gentrification and now features trendy restaurants, craft breweries, and art galleries. It is close to downtown hospitals and offers a mix of old and new Austin.

Pros: Close to downtown hospitals, trendy dining and bar scene, cycling-friendly streets, diverse community character

Cons: Gentrification has pushed rents up, traffic on I-35 corridor, some blocks are transitional

North Loop and Hyde Park

These adjacent central Austin neighborhoods offer a more laid-back residential feel with local coffee shops, vintage stores, and tree-lined streets near the UT campus. They are popular with healthcare workers at nearby hospitals.

Pros: Affordable for central Austin, charming neighborhood character, walkable to local shops, close to UT and Seton hospitals

Cons: Limited nightlife options, parking can be tight near campus, older housing stock

Mueller

A planned development on the site of Austin’s former airport, Mueller features new apartment buildings, a retail district, a park and lake, and community-oriented design. It is one of the most popular areas for travel nurses.

Pros: Modern apartments, walkable design, community parks and trails, convenient location on the east side, retail and dining within walking distance

Cons: Newer development feels less established, higher rents for new construction, can feel suburban despite urban design

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Austin’s traffic has grown significantly with its population. I-35 through central Austin is frequently congested. The city has an expanding bus system and growing bike lane network, but most travel nurses will need a car. Choose housing near your hospital to avoid sitting in traffic. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Austin through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Austin 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

Austin’s rental market has become more competitive and expensive as the city has grown. Furnished apartments are available but go quickly, especially in central neighborhoods. The SXSW festival in March dramatically increases short-term rental prices, so book early if your assignment overlaps with the event.

Many travel nurses in Austin 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 Austin, 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 Austin

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

No state income tax — Texas has no state income tax, which is a significant financial benefit. Combined with Austin’s relatively moderate cost of living for a growing tech city, your take-home pay can be very strong.
Avoid SXSW timing for housing — South by Southwest in March can double or triple short-term rental prices in central Austin. If your assignment starts around this time, secure your housing well in advance or consider neighborhoods outside the downtown core.
Embrace the outdoor lifestyle — Austin is an incredibly active city with miles of hike and bike trails, Barton Springs Pool, and Lady Bird Lake. Bring your running shoes, bike, and swimsuit. Staying active is easy and free in Austin.
Live music is everywhere — Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World. Most venues along Sixth Street and Red River have no cover charge, and you can catch incredible live music almost any night of the week.

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

Austin’s cost of living is above the national average, driven primarily by housing costs that have risen sharply with the tech boom. Groceries are slightly above average. Gas follows Texas’s typically moderate prices. Dining out ranges from affordable food truck meals to upscale restaurants. Despite recent cost increases, Austin remains more affordable than coastal tech hubs like San Francisco and Seattle.

When budgeting for your Austin assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Austin’s food truck scene offers incredible meals at very reasonable prices. H-E-B is the dominant grocery chain and offers excellent quality and value. Take advantage of the city’s many free outdoor activities including swimming at Barton Springs, hiking the Greenbelt, and paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake. 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. Austin has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

Barton Springs Pool — A natural spring-fed swimming pool in Zilker Park where the water stays a refreshing 68 degrees year-round. It is one of Austin’s most beloved attractions and a perfect post-shift cool-down.
Lady Bird Lake — A reservoir on the Colorado River running through downtown, popular for kayaking, paddleboarding, and running along the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.
Sixth Street Live Music — Austin’s famous entertainment district features blocks of bars and live music venues with performances every night. Many venues have no cover charge, making it an affordable night out.
Hamilton Pool Preserve — A stunning natural grotto with a 50-foot waterfall about 30 miles west of Austin. Reservations are required but it is one of the most beautiful swimming holes in Texas.
Texas Hill Country — Drive west into the Hill Country for wineries, scenic back roads, small-town charm, and swimming holes at places like Jacob’s Well and Blue Hole in Wimberley.

Take full advantage of your time in Austin. 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

Austin, Texas offers travel nurses a booming healthcare market in one of America’s most exciting cities, with live music, outdoor adventures, no state income tax, and a welcoming culture. With Dell Seton Medical Center, St. David’s HealthCare, and Ascension Seton 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 Austin, 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 Austin assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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