Travel Nurse Housing in Burlington, Vermont: Complete Guide
Burlington is Vermont’s largest city on the shores of Lake Champlain with mountain views, a vibrant Church Street marketplace, and a strong academic medical center.
The University of Vermont Medical Center is the region’s primary hospital.
Whether you are heading to Burlington 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. Burlington 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
Burlington 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.
University of Vermont Medical Center — A Level I trauma center and Vermont’s only academic medical center, affiliated with the UVM Larner College of Medicine.
Travel nurse demand in Burlington is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during ski season and fall foliage 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 Burlington 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 Burlington.
Old North End
A diverse residential neighborhood with affordable rents.
Pros: Affordable, diverse, close to hospital, walkable
Cons: Some blocks need awareness, older housing, cold winters
South End
A growing arts district with studios, restaurants, and lake access.
Pros: Arts community, lake access, growing dining scene
Cons: Limited housing, can feel industrial, car-dependent for some errands
Church Street and Hill Section
The walkable downtown area near UVM campus.
Pros: Walkable, Church Street Marketplace, close to hospital, college-town energy
Cons: Higher rents, cold and snowy winters, student noise
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Burlington is walkable in the core. Bus service exists. Most travel nurses can walk or bike to UVM Medical Center. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Burlington through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Burlington 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
Burlington’s housing market is tight with limited inventory. Start searching very early. Fall foliage season (September-October) increases demand.
Many travel nurses in Burlington 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 Burlington, VT 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 Burlington
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Burlington that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Vermont winters are serious — Heavy snow, cold temperatures, and short days from November through April.
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Ski season is a major perk — Stowe, Sugarbush, and other world-class ski resorts are within an hour.
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Vermont income tax — Vermont has a state income tax.
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Farm-to-table culture — Vermont’s food scene emphasizes local dairy, produce, and maple syrup.
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
Burlington’s cost of living is above the national average, driven by limited housing supply. Groceries are slightly above average.
When budgeting for your Burlington assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Hannaford and City Market Co-op are popular grocery options. Burlington’s restaurant scene is excellent with a farm-to-table focus. 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. Burlington has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Church Street Marketplace — Burlington’s pedestrian mall with shops, restaurants, and street performers overlooking Lake Champlain.
- Skiing at Stowe and Sugarbush — World-class ski resorts within an hour.
- Lake Champlain Waterfront — Bike the Burlington Greenway, swim, or sail on Vermont’s great lake.
- Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour — Visit the original ice cream factory in Waterbury, 30 minutes south.
Take full advantage of your time in Burlington. 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
Burlington, Vermont offers travel nurses Vermont’s vibrant lakeside city with a strong academic medical center, world-class skiing, and a farm-to-table culture set against stunning mountain and lake scenery. With University of Vermont Medical Center 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 Burlington, 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 Burlington assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Burlington assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.