Travel Nurse Housing in Boulder, Colorado: Complete Guide
Boulder is a vibrant university town at the base of the Flatirons in Colorado’s Front Range, known for outdoor recreation, progressive culture, and a health-conscious community. Travel nurses find demand at local facilities and easy access to Denver metro hospitals.
Boulder Community Health operates the local hospital. Denver metro hospitals are 30-45 minutes away.
Whether you are heading to Boulder 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. Boulder 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
Boulder 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.
Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital — A community hospital with emergency, cardiac, and comprehensive medical services.
UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital (Longmont) — A newer hospital about 15 minutes north serving the Boulder County area.
Travel nurse demand in Boulder is generally moderate locally, strong in Denver metro, with ED, med-surg, ICU, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during year-round with seasonal fluctuations. 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 Boulder 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 Boulder.
Downtown Boulder and Pearl Street
The walkable core with Pearl Street Mall, restaurants, and CU campus.
Pros: Walkable, Pearl Street Mall, dining, university energy, Flatirons views
Cons: Expensive, student noise, limited parking, competitive market
North Boulder
A residential area with trail access and a quieter feel.
Pros: Trail access, quieter, mountain views, residential, community feel
Cons: Higher rents, car-dependent for some errands, limited nightlife
Louisville and Superior
Towns between Boulder and Denver with more affordable housing.
Pros: More affordable, newer development, highway access, family-friendly
Cons: Commute to Boulder, suburban feel, less walkable
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Boulder to Denver is 30-45 minutes on US-36. Local commutes are short. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Boulder through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Boulder are 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: $1,200 to $1,900 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,500 to $2,400 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,800 to $2,900 per month
Boulder’s housing market is extremely tight and expensive. CU students compete for rentals in August. Louisville, Superior, and Longmont offer savings with reasonable commutes.
Many travel nurses in Boulder 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 Boulder, CO 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 Boulder
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Boulder that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Altitude adjustment at 5,430 feet — Boulder sits at 5,430 feet. Hydrate well and allow time to acclimate.
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Outdoor recreation is a way of life — Hiking, climbing, cycling, and skiing are woven into daily life.
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Denver is 30 minutes away — Easy access to Denver’s hospitals, airport, restaurants, and entertainment.
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Health-conscious culture — Boulder is one of the fittest cities in America with a strong focus on organic, local food.
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
Boulder’s cost of living is well above average, driven primarily by housing costs in this highly desirable mountain town.
When budgeting for your Boulder assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Lucky’s Market are popular. The Boulder Farmers Market is one of the best in the state. 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. Boulder has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Flatirons Hiking — Iconic rock formations with trails ranging from easy walks to technical climbing.
- Pearl Street Mall — A four-block pedestrian mall with restaurants, shops, street performers, and mountain views.
- Chautauqua Park — A historic park at the base of the Flatirons with hiking, concerts, and a dining hall.
- Eldorado Canyon State Park — World-class rock climbing and beautiful canyon hiking just south of Boulder.
Take full advantage of your time in Boulder. 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
Boulder, Colorado offers travel nurses a Colorado university town with Flatirons hiking, Pearl Street culture, a health-conscious community, and easy access to Denver metro hospitals and Rocky Mountain ski resorts. With Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital and a well 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 Boulder, 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 Boulder assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Boulder assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.