Travel Nurse Housing in Columbia, South Carolina: Complete Guide
Columbia is South Carolina’s capital and home to the University of South Carolina. Travel nurses find strong hospital systems, very affordable living, and a college-town energy in the Midlands region of the state.
Columbia’s healthcare includes Prisma Health Richland and Lexington Medical Center.
Whether you are heading to Columbia 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. Columbia 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
Columbia 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.
Prisma Health Richland Hospital — A Level I trauma center and the primary teaching hospital in the Midlands region.
Lexington Medical Center — One of the largest community hospitals in the state with comprehensive services.
WJB Dorn VA Medical Center — A large VA facility serving veterans across the Midlands.
Travel nurse demand in Columbia 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 and USC football 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 Columbia 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 Columbia.
Five Points and Shandon
Neighborhoods near USC with restaurants, bars, and walkable streets.
Pros: Walkable, dining and nightlife, close to hospitals, community character
Cons: Student noise, limited parking, some areas need awareness
Forest Acres
An established residential area with safe streets and moderate rents.
Pros: Safe, moderate rents, established neighborhoods, central location
Cons: Car-dependent, quiet nightlife, limited walkability
Lexington
A suburb with affordable housing and proximity to Lexington Medical Center.
Pros: Affordable, safe, close to Lexington Medical Center, family-friendly
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Compact city with commutes under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Columbia through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Columbia 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): $1,050 to $1,650 per month
Columbia is very affordable. SC is a compact state. Five Points area is popular with travel nurses.
Many travel nurses in Columbia 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 Columbia, SC 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 Columbia
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Columbia that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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SC is a compact state — South Carolina is in the Nurse Licensure Compact.
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USC football energy — Gamecocks game days transform the city. Plan accordingly.
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Hot and humid summers — Columbia is known for its oppressive summer heat and humidity.
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Congaree National Park is nearby — South Carolina’s only national park is just 20 minutes southeast with old-growth bottomland forest and canoe trails.
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
Columbia has a below-average cost of living. Groceries, gas, and dining are all affordable.
When budgeting for your Columbia assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix, Food Lion, and Aldi offer competitive grocery prices. Columbia’s food scene along Main Street and Vista has excellent value. 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. Columbia has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Congaree National Park — The largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the US, with boardwalk trails and canoeing.
- Vista District — Columbia’s entertainment district with restaurants, galleries, and nightlife.
- Riverbanks Zoo and Garden — One of the best mid-sized zoos in the country with 2,000 animals and beautiful botanical gardens.
- Lake Murray — A large reservoir 15 minutes from downtown with boating, fishing, and lakeside dining.
Take full advantage of your time in Columbia. 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
Columbia, South Carolina offers travel nurses an affordable Southern capital with strong hospitals, Compact state licensure, a college-town atmosphere, and proximity to Congaree National Park. With Prisma Health Richland and Lexington 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 Columbia, 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 Columbia assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Columbia assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.