Travel Nurse Housing in Cleveland, Ohio: Complete Guide

Cleveland is a Rust Belt city that has reinvented itself around healthcare, arts, and a revitalized waterfront on Lake Erie. Home to the Cleveland Clinic, one of the most famous hospitals in the world, Cleveland offers travel nurses world-class clinical experience at an extremely affordable cost of living.

Cleveland is a titan in healthcare. The Cleveland Clinic is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the world. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and MetroHealth Medical Center round out an extraordinary healthcare ecosystem that draws patients and clinicians from around the globe.

Whether you are heading to Cleveland 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. Cleveland 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

Cleveland 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.

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus — One of the most famous and highest-ranked hospitals in the world, known for its cardiac surgery, urology, and innovative care models. Having Cleveland Clinic on your resume is a career-defining credential.

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center — A major academic medical center affiliated with Case Western Reserve University. UH is a Level I trauma center with strong programs in pediatrics, oncology, and neuroscience.

MetroHealth Medical Center — Cuyahoga County’s public safety-net hospital and Level I trauma center. MetroHealth recently opened a stunning new facility and serves a diverse patient population.

Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital — Part of UH and one of the best children’s hospitals in the country, offering pediatric travel nurses excellent clinical experience.

Travel nurse demand in Cleveland is generally very strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, cardiac, and OR being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter months when flu season and harsh weather combine. 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland.

Ohio City

One of Cleveland’s trendiest neighborhoods with the West Side Market, craft breweries, and a growing restaurant scene. It is close to MetroHealth.

Pros: West Side Market, excellent breweries and restaurants, walkable, close to MetroHealth, Affordable

Cons: Some blocks transition quickly, limited parking near the Market, noise from bar strip

Tremont

An artsy neighborhood on a bluff above the Cuyahoga River with galleries, restaurants, and stunning views of the downtown skyline.

Pros: Trendy restaurants and galleries, walkable, affordable, beautiful skyline views, close to MetroHealth

Cons: Hilly terrain, some blocks need awareness, limited parking, quiet on weeknights

University Circle

The cultural hub of Cleveland near Case Western Reserve, UH, and the Cleveland Clinic. It is surrounded by museums, gardens, and Wade Oval.

Pros: Walking distance to Cleveland Clinic and UH, museums, cultural attractions, safe campus feel

Cons: Limited restaurant options at night, parking can be challenging, some surrounding areas need awareness

Lakewood

A walkable suburb west of Cleveland with a vibrant main street along Detroit Avenue, lake access, and a progressive community.

Pros: Walkable main street, Lake Erie access, affordable, strong community, progressive atmosphere

Cons: Farther from east-side hospitals, colder due to lake effect, limited furnished options

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Cleveland has a bus and rapid transit (RTA) system with the HealthLine bus rapid transit connecting downtown to University Circle and the Cleveland Clinic. Many travel nurses drive, and commutes within the city are typically 15 to 25 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Cleveland through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Cleveland 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: $650 to $1,100 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $800 to $1,300 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,050 to $1,700 per month

Cleveland is one of the most affordable major cities in America. Your stipend will go remarkably far, and you can find quality furnished housing well below your stipend amount. Ohio City and Tremont are popular with travel nurses for their character and affordability.

Many travel nurses in Cleveland 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 Cleveland, 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 Cleveland

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

1. Cleveland Clinic is a career maker — Working at the Cleveland Clinic is a resume-building opportunity. The experience and name recognition can open doors throughout your career.

2. Lake effect winter — Cleveland winters are brutal with heavy lake-effect snow, icy winds, and temperatures well below zero. Invest in serious winter gear and all-wheel drive.

3. The arts and food scene is underrated — Cleveland’s restaurant and cultural scene is far better than most people expect. Ohio City, Tremont, and Lakewood have excellent dining at very affordable prices.

4. Ohio has state income tax — Ohio has a state income tax, plus some municipalities levy an additional income tax. Factor this into your calculations, though the very low cost of living still makes Cleveland financially attractive.

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

Cleveland has one of the lowest costs of living among major US cities. Groceries are below the national average. Gas is moderate. Dining out is extremely affordable with a food scene that has earned national recognition in recent years.

When budgeting for your Cleveland assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Giant Eagle and Aldi are popular grocery options. Cleveland’s West Side Market is a food lover’s paradise with affordable produce, meats, and prepared foods. Ohio City breweries offer excellent craft beer at very reasonable prices. 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. Cleveland has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — Cleveland’s most famous attraction, the Rock Hall features exhibits on the history of rock and roll with memorabilia from every era.
• West Side Market — Ohio’s oldest indoor-outdoor market with over 100 vendors selling produce, meats, baked goods, and prepared foods from around the world.
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park — A stunning national park just 20 minutes south of downtown with waterfalls, hiking trails, and the scenic Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
• Cleveland Museum of Art — One of the best free art museums in the country with a comprehensive collection spanning 6,000 years. It is located in University Circle.

Take full advantage of your time in Cleveland. 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

Cleveland, Ohio offers travel nurses world-class hospital systems including the legendary Cleveland Clinic, an extremely affordable cost of living, and a revitalized city with outstanding arts and food scenes. With Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth 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 Cleveland, 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 Cleveland assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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