Travel Nurse Housing in Bend, Oregon: Complete Guide
Bend is a high-desert outdoor recreation mecca in central Oregon, known for skiing, mountain biking, craft breweries, and an exceptional quality of life. Travel nurses find growing healthcare demand in this rapidly expanding mountain town.
St. Charles Bend is the primary hospital serving central Oregon.
Whether you are heading to Bend 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. Bend 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
Bend 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.
St. Charles Bend — A Level II trauma center and the largest hospital in central Oregon, part of the St. Charles Health System.
Travel nurse demand in Bend is generally growing, 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 ski season and summer outdoor 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 Bend 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 Bend.
Old Mill District
A revitalized area along the Deschutes River with shops, restaurants, and river trails.
Pros: River access, dining, shopping, walkable, newer developments
Cons: Higher rents, tourist traffic, limited parking
Northwest Crossing
A planned community with modern homes and walkable streets.
Pros: Modern housing, walkable, community feel, mountain views
Cons: Higher rents, newer area, farther from hospital
East Side
A more affordable residential area east of Highway 97.
Pros: More affordable, close to hospital, practical, newer development
Cons: Less walkable, car-dependent, fewer dining options
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Bend is growing but commutes are still under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Bend through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Bend 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
Bend’s housing market is competitive due to rapid growth. Short-term rentals are common due to tourism. Start searching early and consider roommates.
Many travel nurses in Bend 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 Bend, OR 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 Bend
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Bend that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Oregon has no sales tax — No sales tax saves on everyday purchases.
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300+ days of sunshine — Bend’s high-desert climate offers far more sun than western Oregon.
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Outdoor recreation paradise — Skiing, mountain biking, hiking, paddleboarding, and rock climbing are all within minutes.
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Craft brewery capital — Bend has more breweries per capita than almost any city in America.
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
Bend’s cost of living is above average, driven primarily by housing costs that have risen sharply with population growth.
When budgeting for your Bend assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Safeway and Fred Meyer are main grocery options. The food scene is excellent with many farm-to-table restaurants. 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. Bend has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Mount Bachelor — A premier ski resort just 22 miles from town with 3,700 feet of vertical.
- Deschutes River Trail — Miles of riverside trails for running, biking, and walking through town.
- Smith Rock State Park — World-class rock climbing and hiking about 30 minutes north.
- Phil’s Trail System — An extensive mountain biking trail network on the edge of town.
Take full advantage of your time in Bend. 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
Bend, Oregon offers travel nurses a central Oregon mountain town with growing healthcare demand, 300 days of sunshine, world-class outdoor recreation, and a vibrant brewery and dining scene. With St. Charles Bend 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 Bend, 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 Bend assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Bend assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.