Travel Nurse Housing in Bozeman, Montana: Complete Guide
Bozeman is a booming mountain town in southwestern Montana, gateway to Yellowstone National Park and home to Montana State University. Travel nurses find growing demand in one of the fastest-growing small cities in America.
Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital is the primary hospital.
Whether you are heading to Bozeman 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. Bozeman 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
Bozeman 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.
Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital — A community hospital with comprehensive medical and surgical services, serving the Gallatin Valley and surrounding areas.
Travel nurse demand in Bozeman is generally growing, with ED, med-surg, ICU, 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 tourist 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 Bozeman 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 Bozeman.
Downtown Bozeman
A walkable Main Street area with restaurants, shops, and galleries.
Pros: Walkable, dining, shopping, community feel, mountain views
Cons: Higher rents, tourist traffic, limited parking
West Side
A residential area near the hospital with mountain views.
Pros: Close to hospital, mountain views, quieter, residential
Cons: Higher rents due to growth, car-dependent, limited dining
Belgrade
A nearby town about 10 minutes west with more affordable housing.
Pros: More affordable, newer development, practical, close to airport
Cons: Commute to hospital, less walkable, fewer amenities
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Bozeman is small with most commutes under 15 minutes. Belgrade adds about 10 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Bozeman through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Bozeman 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 $1,900 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,500 to $2,300 per month
Bozeman’s housing market is extremely competitive due to rapid growth. Prices have risen dramatically. Start searching very early.
Many travel nurses in Bozeman 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 Bozeman, MT 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 Bozeman
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Bozeman that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Montana has no sales tax — No sales tax saves on everyday purchases.
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Gateway to Yellowstone — Yellowstone National Park’s north entrance is about 90 minutes south.
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World-class skiing — Big Sky Resort and Bridger Bowl are both within 45 minutes.
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Rapid growth means higher costs — Bozeman has grown rapidly and housing costs have risen significantly.
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
Bozeman’s cost of living is above average and rising, driven primarily by rapid population growth and housing demand.
When budgeting for your Bozeman assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Town and Country Foods and Costco are popular grocery options. Farmers markets run in summer. 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. Bozeman has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Big Sky Resort — A world-class ski and summer resort with the biggest skiing in America, about 45 minutes south.
- Yellowstone National Park — The world’s first national park is about 90 minutes from Bozeman.
- Bridger Bowl — A beloved local ski area known for deep snow, just 20 minutes from town.
- Hyalite Canyon — Hiking, ice climbing, and reservoir swimming just south of Bozeman.
Take full advantage of your time in Bozeman. 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
Bozeman, Montana offers travel nurses a booming Montana mountain town with growing healthcare demand, gateway access to Yellowstone, world-class skiing, and a vibrant college-town atmosphere surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. With Bozeman Health Deaconess 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 Bozeman, 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 Bozeman assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Bozeman assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.