Travel Nurse Housing in Corpus Christi, Texas: Complete Guide
Corpus Christi is a Gulf Coast city in South Texas with beaches, a naval air station, and a healthcare market serving the Coastal Bend region. No state income tax and affordable living make it financially attractive.
Corpus Christi’s healthcare includes CHRISTUS Spohn Health System and Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
Whether you are heading to Corpus Christi 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. Corpus Christi 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
Corpus Christi 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.
CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi - Shoreline — The largest hospital in the Coastal Bend with comprehensive services.
CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital - South — A community hospital with emergency and surgical services.
Driscoll Children’s Hospital — The only children’s hospital in South Texas.
Corpus Christi Medical Center — An HCA facility with emergency and medical services.
Travel nurse demand in Corpus Christi is generally steady, 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 hurricane season and winter. 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 Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi.
Southside
Newer developments with shopping and modern apartments.
Pros: Modern, affordable, safe, good shopping
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, far from beach
Island and North Beach
Coastal living near the beach and USS Lexington.
Pros: Beach access, coastal lifestyle, unique setting
Cons: Higher rents, hurricane risk, tourist traffic
Portland (across the bay)
A suburban community with affordable housing.
Pros: Affordable, safe, family-friendly
Cons: Bridge commute, car-dependent, limited dining
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Compact city with short commutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Corpus Christi through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Corpus Christi 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 $1,000 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $750 to $1,200 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $950 to $1,500 per month
Very affordable with no state income tax. Beach-area housing commands a premium.
Many travel nurses in Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi, TX 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 Corpus Christi
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Corpus Christi that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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No state income tax — Texas tax advantage plus low costs equal great savings.
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Hurricane season preparedness — Corpus Christi is on the Gulf Coast. Know evacuation routes and hospital emergency policies.
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Beach lifestyle — Padre Island National Seashore and Mustang Island offer miles of beach.
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Wind is constant — Corpus Christi is known for consistent winds, great for windsurfing but an adjustment for newcomers.
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
Corpus Christi has a low cost of living. Groceries, gas, and dining are all below national averages.
When budgeting for your Corpus Christi assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. H-E-B is the dominant grocery chain. Fresh Gulf seafood is abundant and affordable. 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. Corpus Christi has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Padre Island National Seashore — The longest undeveloped barrier island in the world with miles of pristine beach.
- USS Lexington Museum — Tour this WWII aircraft carrier permanently docked in Corpus Christi Bay.
- Texas State Aquarium — A family-friendly aquarium featuring Gulf Coast marine life and dolphin encounters.
- Mustang Island — Popular beach destination for swimming, surfing, and fishing.
Take full advantage of your time in Corpus Christi. 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
Corpus Christi, Texas offers travel nurses a Gulf Coast beach city with no state income tax, affordable living, and strong hospitals serving the Coastal Bend. With CHRISTUS Spohn Health System and Driscoll Children’s Hospital 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 Corpus Christi, 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 Corpus Christi assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Corpus Christi assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.