Travel Nurse Housing in Bar Harbor, Maine: Complete Guide
Bar Harbor is a charming coastal village on Mount Desert Island in Maine, gateway to Acadia National Park. Travel nurses find seasonal demand at the local hospital and an unparalleled New England island experience.
Mount Desert Island Hospital serves Bar Harbor and the surrounding communities.
Whether you are heading to Bar Harbor 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. Bar Harbor 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
Bar Harbor 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.
Mount Desert Island Hospital — A critical access hospital providing emergency, primary care, and specialty services to Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island.
Travel nurse demand in Bar Harbor is generally seasonal (strong in summer), with ED, med-surg, and primary care being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during summer tourist season (June-October). 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 Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor.
Downtown Bar Harbor
The walkable village center with shops, restaurants, and harbor views.
Pros: Walkable, harbor views, restaurants, close to hospital
Cons: Tourist crowds in summer, expensive, limited winter services
Town Hill
A quieter residential area on the northern part of the island.
Pros: Quieter, more space, affordable, year-round community
Cons: Car-dependent, farther from hospital, fewer amenities
Ellsworth
A town on the mainland about 20 minutes from Bar Harbor with more housing options.
Pros: More affordable, year-round services, more housing options
Cons: Bridge commute, not on the island, less scenic
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Bar Harbor is small and walkable in the village, but a car is needed for everything else. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Bar Harbor through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Bar Harbor 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: $900 to $1,500 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,100 to $1,800 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,400 to $2,300 per month
Bar Harbor housing is extremely seasonal. Summer rentals are expensive and limited. Off-season has more availability. Ellsworth offers year-round options.
Many travel nurses in Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor, ME 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 Bar Harbor
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Bar Harbor that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Seasonal demand and pricing — Summer contracts offer higher demand but housing costs spike. Off-season is more affordable.
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Acadia National Park is your backyard — One of America’s most visited national parks is literally in your backyard.
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Island life has logistics — Groceries, shopping, and services are limited on the island. Plan accordingly.
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Harsh winters but beautiful — Maine winters are cold and snowy but stunningly beautiful on the coast.
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
Bar Harbor’s cost of living fluctuates dramatically by season. Summer costs are well above average. Off-season costs are more moderate.
When budgeting for your Bar Harbor assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Hannaford in Bar Harbor is the main grocery store. Ellsworth has more options including Walmart. 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. Bar Harbor has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Acadia National Park — Hiking Cadillac Mountain, cycling the carriage roads, and exploring the coastline of one of America’s most beautiful parks.
- Lobster and Seafood — Fresh Maine lobster at waterfront restaurants is a must-experience.
- Bar Island Trail — Walk across the sandbar at low tide to Bar Island for views of Frenchman Bay.
- Whale Watching — Boat tours from Bar Harbor to see humpback, fin, and minke whales.
Take full advantage of your time in Bar Harbor. 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
Bar Harbor, Maine offers travel nurses a Maine island village with Acadia National Park access, fresh lobster, dramatic coastal scenery, and a unique seasonal travel nursing experience. With Mount Desert Island 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 Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Bar Harbor assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.