Travel Nurse Housing in Duluth, Minnesota: Complete Guide
Duluth is a rugged port city on the shores of Lake Superior with a craft beer scene, outdoor culture, and dramatic scenery. Travel nurses find affordable living and a strong hospital serving the Northland region.
Essentia Health and St. Luke’s Hospital serve Duluth.
Whether you are heading to Duluth 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. Duluth 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
Duluth 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.
Essentia Health - St. Mary’s Medical Center — A Level II trauma center and the largest hospital in the region.
St. Luke’s Hospital — A community hospital with comprehensive services.
Travel nurse demand in Duluth 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 months when cold and snow increase demand. 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 Duluth 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 Duluth.
Canal Park
A waterfront district with restaurants, shops, and Lake Superior access.
Pros: Walkable, lake access, dining scene, tourist energy
Cons: Higher rents, tourist crowds, cold and windy
East Hillside
A residential area above downtown with affordable housing.
Pros: Affordable, close to hospitals, city views
Cons: Steep hills, older housing, some areas need awareness
Lincoln Park
A revitalizing neighborhood with craft breweries and artisan studios.
Pros: Craft brewery corridor, affordable, growing arts scene
Cons: Still developing, some blocks transitional
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 Duluth through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Duluth 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: $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
Duluth is affordable. Winter assignments bring challenging weather but strong demand.
Many travel nurses in Duluth 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 Duluth, MN 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 Duluth
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Duluth that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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Lake Superior winters are extreme — Duluth is one of the coldest cities in the US with lake-effect weather.
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The outdoor scene is incredible — Hiking, skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking are world-class.
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Minnesota income tax — Minnesota has a notable state income tax.
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Craft beer culture — Duluth punches well above its weight in craft beer.
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
Duluth has a cost of living roughly at the national average with affordable housing.
When budgeting for your Duluth assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Super One Foods and Aldi offer good grocery prices. Duluth’s brewery scene is excellent 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. Duluth has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- North Shore Drive — One of the most scenic drives in America along Lake Superior to Split Rock Lighthouse and the Boundary Waters.
- Spirit Mountain — Skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking just minutes from downtown.
- Canal Park and Lakewalk — Walk along Lake Superior and watch massive ore boats pass under the Aerial Lift Bridge.
- Craft Brewery Circuit — Visit Bent Paddle, Castle Danger, and other excellent breweries in the Lincoln Park craft district.
Take full advantage of your time in Duluth. 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
Duluth, Minnesota offers travel nurses a rugged Lake Superior city with affordable living, outstanding outdoor recreation, a world-class craft beer scene, and strong hospitals. With Essentia Health and St. Luke’s Hospital 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 Duluth, 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 Duluth assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Duluth assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.