Travel Nurse Housing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Complete Guide
Cedar Rapids is Iowa’s second-largest city with a resilient spirit, strong healthcare systems, and one of the most affordable costs of living in the Midwest.
Cedar Rapids healthcare includes UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital and Mercy Medical Center.
Whether you are heading to Cedar Rapids 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. Cedar Rapids 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
Cedar Rapids 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.
UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital — A regional hospital with comprehensive services.
Mercy Medical Center — A large MercyOne facility with cardiac, surgical, and emergency programs.
Travel nurse demand in Cedar Rapids is generally steady, 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 winter flu 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 Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids.
NewBo District
A revitalized neighborhood with restaurants, shops, and the NewBo City Market.
Pros: Growing dining scene, NewBo Market, community character, affordable
Cons: Small area, limited housing options, some surrounding blocks transitional
Marion
An adjacent city with safe neighborhoods and affordable housing.
Pros: Safe, affordable, family-friendly, newer developments
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited nightlife
Czech Village
A historic neighborhood near downtown with Czech heritage and antique shops.
Pros: Historic character, unique heritage, affordable, walkable strip
Cons: Flood risk area, limited housing, older buildings
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Compact city with commutes under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Cedar Rapids through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Cedar Rapids are below 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: $600 to $950 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $700 to $1,100 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $900 to $1,450 per month
Cedar Rapids is very affordable. Your stipend stretches far here.
Many travel nurses in Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids, IA 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 Cedar Rapids
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Cedar Rapids that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Iowa is affordable — Cedar Rapids offers exceptional financial value with very low living costs.
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Iowa winters — Cold and snowy winters. Budget for winter gear.
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Community resilience — Cedar Rapids has rebuilt beautifully after devastating floods in 2008 and a derecho in 2020.
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Iowa income tax — Iowa has a state income tax, but the low cost of living compensates.
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
Cedar Rapids has a low cost of living. Groceries, gas, and dining are well below national averages.
When budgeting for your Cedar Rapids assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Hy-Vee and Aldi offer great grocery prices. NewBo District has a growing and affordable food scene. 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. Cedar Rapids has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- NewBo City Market — An indoor market with local vendors, restaurants, and community events.
- Czech Village — Explore Cedar Rapids’s Czech heritage with shops, restaurants, and the National Czech & Slovak Museum.
- Palisades-Kepler State Park — A beautiful state park along the Cedar River with hiking trails and river views.
- Indian Creek Nature Center — Over 200 acres of trails and prairie with environmental education programs.
Take full advantage of your time in Cedar Rapids. 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
Cedar Rapids, Iowa offers travel nurses an affordable Iowa city with strong hospitals, a resilient community, and a cost of living that maximizes travel nurse savings. With UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s and Mercy Medical Center and a low 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 Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Cedar Rapids assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.