Travel Nurse Housing in Charlottesville, Virginia: Complete Guide
Charlottesville is a charming university town in Virginia’s Blue Ridge foothills, home to the University of Virginia and a thriving food and wine scene. Travel nurses find strong demand at the academic medical center.
UVA Health is the primary healthcare system, with a major academic medical center.
Whether you are heading to Charlottesville 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. Charlottesville 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
Charlottesville 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.
UVA Medical Center — A Level I trauma center and comprehensive academic medical center affiliated with the University of Virginia.
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital — A community hospital with a range of medical and surgical services.
Travel nurse demand in Charlottesville is generally strong, with ICU, ED, OR, and specialty nursing being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during fall (university season) and 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.
Downtown Mall Area
Charlottesville’s pedestrian downtown with restaurants, shops, and cultural venues.
Pros: Walkable, excellent dining, cultural events, vibrant
Cons: Higher rents, student noise, limited parking
Belmont
A hip neighborhood south of downtown with breweries and restaurants.
Pros: Trendy, walkable to downtown, dining scene, community feel
Cons: Rising rents, some traffic, older housing
Pantops
A suburban area east of the city near Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital.
Pros: Close to hospital, shopping access, newer development, affordable
Cons: Car-dependent, suburban, less walkable
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent outside the university area. Most commutes are under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Charlottesville through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Charlottesville 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: $900 to $1,400 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,100 to $1,700 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,400 to $2,100 per month
Charlottesville’s housing market is tight due to the university. Avoid searching during August when students return. The wine country surrounding town offers more affordable options.
Many travel nurses in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville, VA 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 Charlottesville
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Charlottesville that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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University of Virginia connection — UVA Medical Center is a Magnet-designated academic medical center with strong nursing support.
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Wine country — Virginia’s Monticello Wine Trail has over 30 wineries within 30 minutes of town.
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Historic significance — Monticello, the University of Virginia, and surrounding plantations offer rich American history.
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Four distinct seasons — Charlottesville has beautiful fall foliage, mild winters, and warm summers.
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
Charlottesville’s cost of living is above the national average, primarily driven by housing costs in this popular college town.
When budgeting for your Charlottesville assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Kroger and Harris Teeter are popular grocery stores. The Charlottesville City Market offers local produce. 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. Charlottesville has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Monticello — Visit Thomas Jefferson’s iconic hilltop home and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive — Stunning mountain scenery and hiking trails about 30 minutes west.
- Virginia Wine Country — Over 30 wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail within easy driving distance.
- Downtown Mall — One of the longest pedestrian malls in the country with restaurants, shops, and live music.
Take full advantage of your time in Charlottesville. 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
Charlottesville, Virginia offers travel nurses a charming Virginia university town with a strong academic medical center, Blue Ridge Mountain scenery, world-class wineries, and a vibrant food and cultural scene. With UVA Medical Center and Sentara Martha Jefferson 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 Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Charlottesville assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.