Travel Nurse Housing in Daytona Beach, Florida: Complete Guide
Daytona Beach is a Atlantic Coast city known for NASCAR and its famous beach. Travel nurses find no state income tax, affordable living, beach access, and hospitals serving the Volusia County area.
Daytona Beach’s healthcare includes AdventHealth Daytona Beach and Halifax Health.
Whether you are heading to Daytona Beach 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. Daytona Beach 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
Daytona Beach 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.
Halifax Health Medical Center — A Level II trauma center and the primary hospital for Volusia County.
AdventHealth Daytona Beach — Part of the AdventHealth system with comprehensive services.
Travel nurse demand in Daytona Beach 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 Speedweeks and Bike Week (February-March) and winter 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach.
Ormond Beach
A residential community north of Daytona with beaches and a quieter atmosphere.
Pros: Quieter, beach access, safe, moderate rents
Cons: 15-minute commute, car-dependent, limited nightlife
Port Orange
A suburb south of Daytona with affordable housing and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Pros: Affordable, safe, family-friendly, newer developments
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, limited character
Beachside Daytona
Living east of the Intracoastal Waterway near the beach.
Pros: Beach access, ocean views, resort atmosphere
Cons: Higher rents, tourist traffic during events, hurricane risk
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. Compact area with commutes under 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Daytona Beach through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Daytona Beach 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: $800 to $1,250 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $950 to $1,500 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,200 to $1,850 per month
Daytona Beach is affordable with no state income tax. Event weeks can affect short-term housing availability.
Many travel nurses in Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach, FL 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 Daytona Beach
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Daytona Beach 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 — Florida tax advantage with affordable beach-town living.
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Event weeks affect the city — Daytona 500, Bike Week, and Spring Break transform the city. Plan housing accordingly.
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Hurricane season — June through November. Know your evacuation routes.
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Beach driving is a thing — Daytona Beach allows driving on certain stretches of beach, a unique local tradition.
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
Daytona Beach has a below-average cost of living. Groceries are at national norms. Gas is moderate.
When budgeting for your Daytona Beach assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix and Winn-Dixie are main grocery options. Fresh seafood is affordable at local restaurants. 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. Daytona Beach has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Daytona International Speedway — Tour the iconic speedway even when races are not in town.
- Ponce Inlet Lighthouse — The tallest lighthouse in Florida with panoramic views from the top.
- Marine Science Center — A small but excellent aquarium with sea turtle rehabilitation.
- St. Augustine Day Trip — The oldest city in America is just 45 minutes north with historic forts and charming streets.
Take full advantage of your time in Daytona Beach. 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
Daytona Beach, Florida offers travel nurses a beachside city with no state income tax, affordable living, and the excitement of NASCAR country on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. With Halifax Health and AdventHealth Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach, 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 Daytona Beach assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Daytona Beach assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.