Travel Nurse Housing in Baltimore, Maryland: Complete Guide

Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own personality, centered around the historic Inner Harbor on the Chesapeake Bay. For travel nurses, Baltimore offers some of the most prestigious hospitals in the country, affordable housing by East Coast standards, and a gritty, authentic urban character that many travelers grow to love.

Baltimore is one of the most important healthcare cities in America, anchored by Johns Hopkins Hospital, widely considered one of the best hospitals in the world. The University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health, and Sinai Hospital of Baltimore round out a healthcare ecosystem with extraordinary depth and variety.

Whether you are heading to Baltimore 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. Baltimore 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

Baltimore 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.

Johns Hopkins Hospital — Consistently ranked as one of the top hospitals in the world, Johns Hopkins is a premier academic medical center offering travel nurses the chance to work alongside leading clinicians and researchers in virtually every specialty.

University of Maryland Medical Center — A major academic medical center in downtown Baltimore and one of the oldest teaching hospitals in the country. It is a Level I trauma center with nationally recognized programs in shock trauma, transplant, and cancer care.

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital — Known for its orthopedic and sports medicine programs, Union Memorial is a respected hospital in North Baltimore that regularly hires travel nurses.

Sinai Hospital of Baltimore — Part of LifeBridge Health, Sinai is one of the largest community hospitals in Maryland with strong programs in cardiac care, oncology, and rehabilitation.

Travel nurse demand in Baltimore is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and OR 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore.

Federal Hill

A vibrant neighborhood south of the Inner Harbor with row houses, restaurants, bars, and Cross Street Market. The hilltop park offers stunning harbor views and the neighborhood has a strong young professional community.

Pros: Walkable and vibrant, harbor views, close to downtown hospitals, active nightlife and dining, Cross Street Market

Cons: Parking is permit-only and competitive, bar noise on weekends, rents are higher for the area

Canton

A waterfront neighborhood east of the Inner Harbor with a square surrounded by restaurants and bars, row house living, and a strong community identity. The Canton Waterfront Park offers beautiful waterfront access.

Pros: Waterfront living, walkable square with restaurants, strong community feel, close to Johns Hopkins Bayview

Cons: Farther from Johns Hopkins main campus, parking permit required, higher rents than some neighborhoods

Hampden

A quirky neighborhood along 36th Street known as The Avenue, featuring eclectic shops, restaurants, and the annual Honfest. It has a loyal local following and an artsy, unpretentious atmosphere.

Pros: Quirky independent character, The Avenue shops and restaurants, affordable rents, community events

Cons: Farther from most hospitals, hilly terrain, limited transit options, quiet nightlife

Mount Vernon

Baltimore’s cultural center with the Washington Monument, Walters Art Museum, and Peabody Library. The neighborhood features historic architecture and a walkable mix of restaurants and cultural institutions.

Pros: Historic and cultural, close to downtown hospitals and UMMC, walkable, beautiful architecture, Walters Art Museum

Cons: Some adjacent blocks have safety concerns, older housing stock, limited parking

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Baltimore is compact and many neighborhoods are within a short drive or bus ride of major hospitals. The city’s light rail and bus system can be useful for some routes. Johns Hopkins main campus is in East Baltimore, while UMMC is downtown, so your hospital location should drive your housing decision. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Baltimore through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Baltimore are roughly in line with 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: $900 to $1,400 per month
One-bedroom apartment: $1,050 to $1,700 per month
Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,400 to $2,200 per month

Baltimore offers affordable housing by East Coast standards, especially compared to nearby Washington DC. Row house rentals and furnished apartments are widely available. Federal Hill and Canton are popular with travel nurses, while areas near Johns Hopkins in East Baltimore are more affordable but require more neighborhood research.

Many travel nurses in Baltimore 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 Baltimore, MD 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 Baltimore

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

Research neighborhoods carefully — Baltimore has significant neighborhood-by-neighborhood variation in safety. What is safe and vibrant on one block can be different a few blocks away. Ask other travel nurses, check crime maps, and visit neighborhoods before committing to housing.
Johns Hopkins experience is gold — Having Johns Hopkins on your resume is a significant career asset. If you can secure a contract there, the clinical experience and name recognition are worth the commitment.
Maryland income tax — Maryland has a state income tax plus a local income tax that varies by county and city. Baltimore City residents pay both. Factor this into your financial planning.
The food scene is excellent — Baltimore is famous for crab cakes and seafood, but the food scene extends well beyond that. Fells Point, Federal Hill, and Hampden have excellent and diverse restaurant options.

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

Baltimore has a cost of living roughly in line with the national average, making it quite affordable for a major East Coast city. Groceries are at the national average. Gas is moderate. Dining out is reasonably priced, with the city’s famous crab cakes and seafood available at all price points. State and local income taxes are a notable expense.

When budgeting for your Baltimore assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Giant Food and Aldi are popular grocery options. Baltimore’s dining scene offers good value, especially in Fells Point and Federal Hill. Lexington Market downtown is a historic food hall with affordable prepared foods. Take advantage of the city’s many free cultural attractions. 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. Baltimore has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

Inner Harbor and National Aquarium — Baltimore’s revitalized waterfront features the National Aquarium, one of the best in the country, along with waterfront dining, boat tours, and the historic USS Constellation.
Fells Point — A historic waterfront neighborhood with cobblestone streets, waterfront bars, and restaurants. It is one of Baltimore’s most charming areas for a night out.
Fort McHenry — The historic fort where the Star-Spangled Banner was written. Tour the grounds and enjoy views of the harbor and Patapsco River.
Annapolis Day Trip — Drive 30 minutes to Maryland’s capital, Annapolis, for the Naval Academy, charming downtown shops, and Chesapeake Bay sailing.

Take full advantage of your time in Baltimore. 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

Baltimore, Maryland offers travel nurses some of the most prestigious hospitals in the world, affordable East Coast living, a rich cultural history, and a waterfront city experience with genuine character. With Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, MedStar Health, and LifeBridge Health and a 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 Baltimore, 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 Baltimore assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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