Travel Nurse Housing in Big Island, Hawaii: Complete Guide
The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest and most geographically diverse Hawaiian island, home to active volcanoes, snow-capped peaks, black-sand beaches, and lush valleys. Travel nurses find demand at hospitals on both the Hilo and Kona sides.
Hilo Medical Center serves the east side. Kona Community Hospital serves the west side.
Whether you are heading to Big Island 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. Big Island (Hawaii Island) 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
Big Island 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.
Hilo Medical Center — The primary hospital on the east side of the Big Island with emergency and comprehensive medical services.
Kona Community Hospital — A community hospital serving the west (Kona) coast with emergency and medical services.
North Hawaii Community Hospital (Waimea) — A small hospital in the ranching town of Waimea serving the Kohala Coast area.
Travel nurse demand in Big Island is generally steady, with ED, med-surg, and ICU being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during year-round due to limited local workforce. 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 Big Island 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 Big Island (Hawaii Island).
Hilo
The county seat on the rainy east side with a historic downtown and affordable living.
Pros: More affordable, local culture, waterfalls, historic downtown, close to volcanoes
Cons: Rainy (130+ inches per year), less tourist infrastructure, older town
Kailua-Kona
The sunny west coast town with ocean activities and tourist amenities.
Pros: Sunny, ocean access, restaurants, diving, west coast lifestyle
Cons: Higher rents, tourist traffic, farther from Hilo hospital, car-dependent
Waimea (Kamuela)
A cool upcountry ranching town between the coasts.
Pros: Cooler temperatures, ranch country, mountain views, central location
Cons: Limited housing, car-dependent, small town, cooler and wetter
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. The Big Island is huge — 4,028 square miles. Hilo to Kona is about 2.5 hours. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Big Island through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Big Island 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: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,200 to $2,000 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,500 to $2,500 per month
Choose your side first: Hilo (rainy, affordable, volcano access) or Kona (sunny, pricier, beach lifestyle). Housing on the Big Island is more affordable than Maui or Oahu.
Many travel nurses in Big Island 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 Big Island, HI 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 Big Island
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Big Island that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Two very different sides — The Hilo side gets 130+ inches of rain per year. The Kona side is dry and sunny.
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Active volcanoes — Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has active eruptions. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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The Big Island is big — At 4,028 square miles, it’s bigger than all other Hawaiian islands combined.
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Manta ray night dives — Kona offers the world’s best manta ray night snorkeling and diving.
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
The Big Island is more affordable than Maui and Oahu but still above the national average for cost of living.
When budgeting for your Big Island assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. KTA Super Stores and Safeway are common. Costco is available in Kona. Hilo has excellent farmers markets. 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. Big Island has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — See active volcanic eruptions, walk through lava tubes, and explore one of the world’s most dynamic landscapes.
- Manta Ray Night Dive — Snorkel or dive with giant manta rays at night off the Kona coast — a bucket-list experience.
- Mauna Kea Summit — Drive to 13,796 feet for world-class stargazing above the clouds.
- Black Sand Beaches — Visit Punaluu Black Sand Beach where Hawaiian green sea turtles bask on volcanic sand.
Take full advantage of your time in Big Island (Hawaii Island). 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
Big Island, Hawaii offers travel nurses Hawaii’s largest and most diverse island with active volcanoes, manta ray night dives, Mauna Kea stargazing, black-sand beaches, and travel nursing opportunities on both the Hilo and Kona coasts. With Hilo Medical Center and Kona Community 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 Big Island, 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 Big Island assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Big Island assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.