Travel Nurse Housing in Cincinnati, Ohio: Complete Guide

Cincinnati is a revitalized Ohio River city with stunning hillside neighborhoods, a thriving food scene, and strong hospital systems. The Queen City offers travel nurses world-class clinical experience at one of the most affordable costs of living in the country.

Cincinnati’s healthcare market includes UC Health (University of Cincinnati Medical Center), TriHealth, Mercy Health, and Christ Hospital. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is one of the best pediatric hospitals in the nation.

Whether you are heading to Cincinnati 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. Cincy 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

Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati Medical Center — A Level I trauma center and the primary teaching hospital for the UC College of Medicine. It handles the most complex cases in the region.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center — Consistently ranked among the top three pediatric hospitals in the country. Pediatric travel nurses find unparalleled experience here.

Christ Hospital — A large community hospital in Mount Auburn known for its cardiac and orthopedic programs.

TriHealth Good Samaritan Hospital — A major hospital in the Clifton neighborhood with comprehensive services and strong nursing culture.

Travel nurse demand in Cincinnati is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and pediatric specialties 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 Cincinnati 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 Cincy.

Over-the-Rhine (OTR)

Once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America, OTR has been beautifully revitalized into Cincinnati’s trendiest district with Italianate architecture, craft breweries, restaurants, and Findlay Market.

Pros: Stunning architecture, Findlay Market, walkable, vibrant dining and nightlife, close to UC Medical Center

Cons: Gentrification is ongoing, some blocks still transitional, parking is limited, higher rents for the revitalized core

Clifton

A diverse neighborhood near the University of Cincinnati and UC Medical Center with Ludlow Avenue shops, restaurants, and the Cincinnati Zoo.

Pros: Close to UC Medical Center, walkable Ludlow Avenue, diverse community, Cincinnati Zoo, affordable

Cons: Some blocks need awareness, student-area noise, hilly terrain, older housing stock

Hyde Park

An upscale residential neighborhood east of downtown with Hyde Park Square shops, restaurants, and beautiful tree-lined streets.

Pros: Safe and well-maintained, walkable Hyde Park Square, excellent restaurants, community character

Cons: Higher rents, farther from UC Medical Center, car needed for most commutes, quiet nightlife

Mount Adams

A hillside neighborhood overlooking downtown with stunning views, restaurants, and nightlife near Eden Park and the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Pros: Stunning city views, close to Eden Park and Art Museum, walkable restaurants, unique hilltop setting

Cons: Very hilly, limited parking, higher rents, narrow streets can be challenging in winter

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Cincinnati has a bus system (Metro) and a new streetcar connecting downtown to OTR. Most travel nurses drive, and the hilly terrain creates unique commute patterns. Commutes are generally under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Cincinnati through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Cincinnati 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 $1,400 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,100 to $1,750 per month

Cincinnati is very affordable. Your stipend will stretch far, and OTR and Clifton are the most popular areas for travel nurses working at UC Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s.

Many travel nurses in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati, OH 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 Cincinnati

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

1. Cincinnati Children’s is world-class — Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is one of the best pediatric hospitals in the world. Working here is an extraordinary professional opportunity for pediatric nurses.

2. The hills define the city — Cincinnati is built on steep hills. Neighborhoods have dramatically different elevations, which can affect your commute and daily life.

3. Chili is different here — Cincinnati-style chili (Skyline, Gold Star) is a unique regional food served over spaghetti with cheese. Try it at least once.

4. Ohio and Kentucky taxes — Cincinnati straddles Ohio and Kentucky. Where you live and work affects your tax situation. The city also has a local income tax.

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

Cincinnati has a below-average cost of living that offers excellent value. Groceries are at or below the national average. Gas is moderate. Dining out is very affordable with an excellent food scene centered in OTR and Hyde Park.

When budgeting for your Cincinnati assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Kroger is headquartered in Cincinnati and offers excellent prices and selection. Findlay Market in OTR is a great source for local produce and prepared foods. Cincinnati’s craft beer scene rivals much larger cities at a fraction of the cost. 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. Cincinnati has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Findlay Market — Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market with local vendors selling produce, meats, flowers, and prepared foods in the heart of OTR.
• Cincinnati Art Museum — A free art museum in Eden Park with collections spanning 6,000 years and beautiful views of the Ohio River valley.
• Brewery District — OTR has become a craft beer destination with Rhinegeist, Taft’s Ale House, and many other breweries in beautifully restored historic buildings.
• Smale Riverfront Park — A beautiful park along the Ohio River with gardens, playgrounds, and views of the Roebling Suspension Bridge that inspired the Brooklyn Bridge.

Take full advantage of your time in Cincy. 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

Cincinnati, Ohio offers travel nurses world-class hospitals including Cincinnati Children’s, a beautifully revitalized urban core, an extremely affordable cost of living, and a surprisingly vibrant food and craft beer scene. With UC Health, Cincinnati Children’s, TriHealth, and Christ Hospital 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 Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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