Travel Nurse Housing in Bakersfield, California: Complete Guide
Bakersfield is a Central Valley city at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. While not glamorous, Bakersfield offers travel nurses California-level pay with a remarkably low cost of living, making it one of the most financially rewarding assignments in the state.
Bakersfield’s healthcare includes Kern Medical, Adventist Health Bakersfield, and Mercy Hospital. As the major city in Kern County, these hospitals serve a large agricultural community.
Whether you are heading to Bakersfield 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. Bakersfield 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
Bakersfield 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.
Kern Medical — Kern County’s public teaching hospital and Level II trauma center serving a diverse patient population.
Adventist Health Bakersfield — A large community hospital offering comprehensive medical and surgical services.
Mercy Hospital Bakersfield — A Dignity Health facility with strong cardiac, surgical, and emergency programs.
Travel nurse demand in Bakersfield 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 summer agricultural season 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 Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield.
Southwest Bakersfield
The most desirable residential area with newer developments, shopping, and restaurants along the Stockdale Highway corridor.
Pros: Newer developments, safe, good shopping, moderate rents
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited nightlife, hot in summer
Downtown Bakersfield
A revitalizing downtown with restaurants, bars, and cultural venues including Fox Theater.
Pros: Close to hospitals, growing dining scene, Fox Theater events, affordable
Cons: Still developing, limited nightlife, safety varies by block, hot and dry
Rosedale
A suburban area northwest of the city with affordable housing and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Pros: Affordable, safe, family-friendly, newer apartments
Cons: Suburban sprawl, car-dependent, limited character, far from downtown
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Bakersfield is car-dependent. The city layout is straightforward and commutes are short, typically under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Bakersfield through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Bakersfield are slightly 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: $750 to $1,100 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $900 to $1,350 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,100 to $1,700 per month
Bakersfield is one of the most affordable cities in California. California-level pay with Bakersfield-level costs means you can save significantly. Furnished apartments are available at very reasonable prices.
Many travel nurses in Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield, CA 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 Bakersfield
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Bakersfield that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
-
California pay, Valley cost of living — This is Bakersfield’s biggest draw for travel nurses. You earn California wages while paying a fraction of coastal housing costs.
-
Summer heat is extreme — Bakersfield summers regularly exceed 100 degrees. Air conditioning is essential and expect high electricity bills.
-
Air quality concerns — The southern San Joaquin Valley has some of the worst air quality in the country, especially in summer. This is an important consideration for nurses with respiratory sensitivities.
-
Weekend escapes are easy — Los Angeles is two hours south, the Kern River is nearby for whitewater rafting, and Sequoia National Park is 90 minutes east.
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
Bakersfield has a below-average cost of living, exceptional for California. Groceries are at national norms. Gas follows California’s higher prices but is cheaper than the coast. Dining is very affordable.
When budgeting for your Bakersfield assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. WinCo and FoodMaxx offer excellent grocery prices. Bakersfield’s Basque restaurants are a unique local tradition with family-style meals at very reasonable prices. Budget for weekend escapes to the mountains or coast. 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. Bakersfield has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Kern River — Just east of the city, the Kern River offers whitewater rafting, kayaking, and scenic drives through Kern Canyon.
- Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace — A honky-tonk and museum celebrating Bakersfield’s country music heritage, with live music and dancing.
- Sequoia National Park — Just 90 minutes east, home to the world’s largest trees by volume.
- Wind Wolves Preserve — A 93,000-acre nature preserve south of Bakersfield with hiking trails and wildflower displays in spring.
Take full advantage of your time in Bakersfield. 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
Bakersfield, California offers travel nurses California-level pay with an exceptionally low cost of living, creating one of the most financially rewarding travel nurse markets in the state. With Kern Medical, Adventist Health Bakersfield, and Mercy Hospital and a below 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 Bakersfield, 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 Bakersfield assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Bakersfield assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.