Travel Nurse Housing in Chattanooga, Tennessee: Complete Guide

Chattanooga is a scenic Tennessee city nestled along the Tennessee River at the base of Lookout Mountain. Known as the Scenic City, Chattanooga offers travel nurses no state income tax, affordable living, beautiful outdoor recreation, and a revitalized downtown that has earned national recognition.

Chattanooga’s healthcare includes CHI Memorial, Erlanger Health System (the region’s safety-net and academic center), and Parkridge Medical Center.

Whether you are heading to Chattanooga 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. Chattanooga 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

Chattanooga 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.

Erlanger Medical Center — A Level I trauma center and teaching hospital serving as the academic medical center for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga campus.

CHI Memorial Hospital — A large Catholic hospital with comprehensive cardiac, surgical, and women’s health programs.

Parkridge Medical Center — An HCA facility with a Level III trauma center and comprehensive emergency services.

T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital — Part of Erlanger, the region’s pediatric specialty hospital.

Travel nurse demand in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga.

North Shore

A walkable neighborhood across the river from downtown with restaurants, shops, and the Walnut Street Bridge.

Pros: Walkable, excellent restaurants, Walnut Street Bridge, river access, community feel

Cons: Higher rents for Chattanooga, limited parking on Frazier Avenue, small area

Southside and Main Street

A revitalized area with restaurants, breweries, and proximity to Erlanger.

Pros: Growing dining and brewery scene, close to Erlanger, affordable, walkable

Cons: Still developing, some blocks transitional, limited housing options

Signal Mountain and Red Bank

Residential communities on and near Signal Mountain north of the city.

Pros: Mountain views, safe, quiet residential, moderate rents

Cons: Car-dependent, winding mountain roads, far from some hospitals

East Brainerd and Hamilton Place

Suburban area with shopping, dining, and newer apartments.

Pros: Modern apartments, affordable, Hamilton Place Mall shopping, family-friendly

Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, traffic on Gunbarrel Road, limited character

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Chattanooga is car-dependent. The city is compact with most commutes under 20 minutes. Free electric shuttles run downtown. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Chattanooga through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Chattanooga are slightly 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: $700 to $1,100 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $850 to $1,350 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,100 to $1,700 per month

Chattanooga is very affordable with no state income tax on wages. The North Shore and Southside are most desirable. Your stipend will stretch comfortably.

Many travel nurses in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga, TN 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 Chattanooga

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Chattanooga that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. No state income tax on wages — Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. Combined with affordable living, Chattanooga offers excellent take-home pay.

2. Outdoor recreation is exceptional — Rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and river activities are all easily accessible from the city.

3. The city has been nationally recognized — Chattanooga’s revitalization has been a model for mid-sized cities. The downtown and waterfront are genuinely impressive.

4. Gigabit internet — Chattanooga was the first city in the US to offer gigabit internet speeds through its municipal fiber network.

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

Chattanooga has a below-average cost of living. Groceries are at or below national norms. Gas is cheap. Dining is affordable with an excellent and growing food scene.

When budgeting for your Chattanooga assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Food City and Aldi offer great grocery prices. Chattanooga’s craft brewery and restaurant scenes offer excellent value. Free outdoor activities from hiking to river walks keep entertainment costs very low. 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. Chattanooga has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Lookout Mountain — Visit Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway on this iconic mountain overlooking seven states.
• Tennessee Riverwalk — A 16-mile paved trail along the Tennessee River, perfect for running, biking, and enjoying the scenery.
• Walnut Street Bridge — One of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world, connecting the North Shore to downtown.
• Rock Climbing — Chattanooga is one of the best climbing cities in the Southeast with world-class bouldering and sport climbing at Tennessee Wall and Sunset Rock.

Take full advantage of your time in Chattanooga. 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

Chattanooga, Tennessee offers travel nurses a beautiful and affordable Scenic City with no state income tax, strong hospitals, nationally recognized revitalization, and world-class outdoor recreation. With Erlanger Health System, CHI Memorial, and Parkridge Medical Center and a below 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 Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your Chattanooga assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.