Travel Nurse Housing in Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Complete Guide
Cape Cod is a hook-shaped peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean, famous for beaches, lighthouses, seafood, and a quintessential New England summer. Travel nurses find seasonal demand at Cape Cod Hospital and a unique coastal lifestyle.
Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis is the primary hospital. Falmouth Hospital serves the western Cape.
Whether you are heading to Cape Cod 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. Cape Cod 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
Cape Cod 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.
Cape Cod Hospital (Hyannis) — A community hospital with emergency, surgical, and comprehensive services serving the mid-Cape and outer Cape.
Falmouth Hospital — A community hospital serving the upper Cape and Falmouth area.
Travel nurse demand in Cape Cod is generally seasonal (strong May-October), with 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 summer tourist season when Cape population triples. 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 Cape Cod 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 Cape Cod.
Hyannis
The commercial center of Cape Cod with the hospital, ferries, and year-round services.
Pros: Close to hospital, year-round services, ferry access, practical
Cons: Commercial feel, traffic, less charming than other Cape towns
Falmouth
A charming village with harbor views and proximity to Falmouth Hospital.
Pros: Charming, harbor views, close to hospital, bike path, restaurants
Cons: Higher rents, tourist traffic in summer, seasonal closures
Dennis and Yarmouth
Mid-Cape towns with beaches on both Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound.
Pros: Central location, beach access, more affordable, residential
Cons: Car-dependent, seasonal economy, Route 28 traffic
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Route 6 and Route 28 are the main arteries. Summer traffic can be significant. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Cape Cod through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Cape Cod 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 $1,800 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,300 to $2,200 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,600 to $2,700 per month
Cape Cod housing is extremely seasonal. Summer rentals are expensive. Winter has more availability and lower prices. Year-round rentals in Hyannis are the most practical option.
Many travel nurses in Cape Cod 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 Cape Cod, MA 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 Cape Cod
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Cape Cod that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Extreme seasonality — Cape Cod’s population triples in summer. Housing, traffic, and hospital volume all surge.
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Bourne Bridge and Sagamore Bridge — Two bridges connect the Cape to the mainland. Weekend traffic can cause significant delays.
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Massachusetts income tax — Massachusetts has a flat state income tax rate.
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Whale watching from Provincetown — Some of the best whale watching on the East Coast departs from the tip of the Cape.
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
Cape Cod’s cost of living is above the national average, driven by housing costs that spike dramatically in summer.
When budgeting for your Cape Cod assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Stop & Shop and Shaw’s are common grocery stores. Farmers markets and fish markets offer excellent local options. 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. Cape Cod has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Cape Cod National Seashore — 40 miles of protected Atlantic beaches with dunes, marshes, and historic lighthouses.
- Provincetown — A vibrant arts community at the tip of the Cape with galleries, whale watching, and incredible dining.
- Cape Cod Rail Trail — A 22-mile paved bike path through six Cape towns, perfect for cycling.
- Fresh Seafood — Lobster rolls, oysters, clam chowder, and fried clams at waterfront shacks across the Cape.
Take full advantage of your time in Cape Cod. 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
Cape Cod, Massachusetts offers travel nurses Massachusetts’ iconic hook-shaped peninsula with Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, lighthouse-dotted coastline, fresh seafood, seasonal nursing demand, and a quintessential New England summer experience. With Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth 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 Cape Cod, 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 Cape Cod assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Cape Cod assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.