Travel Nurse Housing in Durango, Colorado: Complete Guide
Durango is a vibrant southwestern Colorado mountain town with a historic railroad, college-town energy, and access to the San Juan Mountains. Travel nurses find moderate demand at Mercy Regional Medical Center and a four-season outdoor lifestyle.
Mercy Regional Medical Center is the primary hospital serving the Durango area.
Whether you are heading to Durango 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. Durango 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
Durango 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.
Mercy Regional Medical Center — A community hospital with emergency, surgical, and comprehensive medical services serving La Plata County and the Four Corners region.
Travel nurse demand in Durango is generally moderate, with 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 ski season and summer 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 Durango 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 Durango.
Downtown Durango
The historic Main Avenue area with restaurants, shops, and the Durango & Silverton Railroad.
Pros: Walkable, dining, historic character, Animas River access, community feel
Cons: Higher rents, tourist traffic, limited parking
Three Springs
A newer development south of town with modern homes.
Pros: Newer development, community amenities, trail access, modern
Cons: Car-dependent, still developing, farther from downtown
Bayfield and Ignacio
Small towns east of Durango with more affordable housing.
Pros: More affordable, rural, quieter, Southern Ute cultural experience
Cons: Commute to hospital, limited services, small towns
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Durango is compact. Bayfield is about 20 minutes east. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Durango through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Durango are slightly above 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: $900 to $1,500 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,100 to $1,800 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,400 to $2,200 per month
Durango’s housing market is tight due to Fort Lewis College students and tourism. Summer and ski season are competitive. Three Springs and Bayfield offer more options.
Many travel nurses in Durango 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 Durango, 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 Durango
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Durango that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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College town energy — Fort Lewis College gives Durango a young, active community feel.
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Four Corners region — Mesa Verde National Park, Silverton, and the Four Corners monument are all accessible.
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Durango & Silverton Railroad — A historic narrow-gauge railroad through the San Juan Mountains is the town’s most famous attraction.
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Altitude at 6,512 feet — Durango sits at 6,512 feet with Purgatory ski area at over 10,000 feet.
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
Durango’s cost of living is above average for Colorado, driven by housing costs in this desirable mountain town.
When budgeting for your Durango assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Kroger (City Market) and Natural Grocers offer options. The Durango Farmers Market runs in summer. 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. Durango has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad — A historic coal-fired steam train through the San Juan Mountains to the mining town of Silverton.
- Purgatory Resort — A ski resort about 25 miles north with 1,600 acres of terrain.
- Mesa Verde National Park — Ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans, about 35 miles west.
- Animas River Trail — A 7-mile paved trail along the Animas River through town, with whitewater kayaking in summer.
Take full advantage of your time in Durango. 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
Durango, Colorado offers travel nurses a vibrant southwestern Colorado mountain town with a historic railroad, Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, Purgatory skiing, Animas River recreation, and travel nursing at Mercy Regional Medical Center. With Mercy Regional Medical Center and a above 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 Durango, 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 Durango assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Durango assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.