Travel Nurse Housing in Colorado Springs, Colorado: Complete Guide

Colorado Springs sits at the base of Pikes Peak and is one of the most scenic cities in the country. With a strong military presence, growing population, and expanding healthcare infrastructure, the Springs offers travel nurses affordable living, stunning mountain views, and year-round outdoor recreation.

Colorado Springs healthcare is served by UCHealth, CommonSpirit Health (Penrose-St. Francis), and the Evans Army Community Hospital at Fort Carson. The city’s military bases contribute to healthcare demand.

Whether you are heading to Colorado Springs 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. Colorado Springs 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

Colorado Springs 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.

UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central — A Level I trauma center and the largest hospital in the Pikes Peak region with comprehensive acute care services and strong travel nurse demand.

Penrose Hospital — A CommonSpirit Health facility in central Colorado Springs known for its cardiac, orthopedic, and women’s health programs.

St. Francis Medical Center — Part of CommonSpirit Health, located on the north side with emergency, surgical, and medical services.

Evans Army Community Hospital — A military hospital at Fort Carson with occasional travel nurse contracts through military staffing agencies.

Travel nurse demand in Colorado Springs is generally strong, 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 and summer tourist 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 Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs.

Downtown Colorado Springs

A revitalized downtown with restaurants, craft breweries, and the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Tejon Street is the main commercial corridor.

Pros: Walkable downtown, close to hospitals, mountain views, growing dining scene

Cons: Higher rents for the area, limited parking, cold and windy in winter

Old Colorado City

A historic arts district on the west side near Garden of the Gods with galleries, restaurants, and a bohemian atmosphere.

Pros: Close to Garden of the Gods, artsy character, walkable main street, moderate rents

Cons: Farther from east-side hospitals, limited transit, tourist traffic in summer

Briargate

A newer suburban area in northern Colorado Springs with modern apartments, shopping, and proximity to UCHealth North.

Pros: Modern apartments, safe, good shopping, close to north-side medical facilities

Cons: Suburban sprawl, car-dependent, limited character, far from downtown

Manitou Springs

A charming mountain town adjacent to Colorado Springs at the base of Pikes Peak with hot springs, eclectic shops, and a hippie vibe.

Pros: Stunning mountain setting, unique character, close to trails, charming downtown

Cons: Very limited housing, higher rents, far from most hospitals, winding mountain roads in winter

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Colorado Springs is car-dependent with limited public transit. The city stretches north to south along I-25, and commute times depend heavily on which end of town your hospital is located. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Colorado Springs through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Colorado Springs are roughly in line with 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: $850 to $1,300 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,300 to $2,000 per month

Colorado Springs is more affordable than Denver and offers stunning mountain views from almost anywhere. Furnished apartments are available, and your stipend should cover comfortable housing. Focus your search near your assigned hospital.

Many travel nurses in Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs, CO 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 Colorado Springs

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

1. Altitude is even higher than Denver — Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 feet, and the surrounding areas are higher. Expect altitude adjustment symptoms and stay well hydrated.

2. Military town culture — With five military installations, the Springs has a strong military culture that influences the patient population, restaurants, and community events.

3. Garden of the Gods is free — This stunning city park with towering red rock formations is free to visit and offers world-class hiking and rock climbing right in the city.

4. Winter driving can be challenging — Snow and ice are common from November through April. All-wheel drive or snow tires are recommended.

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

Colorado Springs has a cost of living roughly at the national average, more affordable than Denver. Groceries are at national norms. Gas is moderate. Dining is affordable with a growing local restaurant scene.

When budgeting for your Colorado Springs assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. King Soopers and Walmart are popular grocery options. The city’s craft brewery scene offers affordable socializing. Free outdoor activities like Garden of the Gods, hiking, and trail running keep entertainment costs 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. Colorado Springs has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Garden of the Gods — Stunning red sandstone formations with free admission, hiking trails, and rock climbing routes right in the city.
• Pikes Peak — Drive or take the cog railway to the summit of America’s Mountain at 14,115 feet for breathtaking panoramic views.
• Manitou Incline — A legendary steep hike gaining 2,000 feet in less than a mile. It is a rite of passage for fitness enthusiasts in the Springs.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — America’s only mountain zoo, set on the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain with views of the city and hand-feeding giraffes.

Take full advantage of your time in Colorado Springs. 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

Colorado Springs, Colorado offers travel nurses an affordable mountain city with strong hospitals, world-class outdoor recreation at your doorstep, and stunning Pikes Peak views that make every commute scenic. With UCHealth Memorial, Penrose-St. Francis, and military facilities and a 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 Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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