Travel Nurse Housing in Fort Worth, Texas: Complete Guide

Fort Worth is the cultural heart of West Texas and the western anchor of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Known for its Western heritage, world-class museums, and a revitalized downtown, Fort Worth offers travel nurses a strong healthcare market with an affordable cost of living and no state income tax.

Fort Worth’s healthcare market includes major systems like JPS Health Network, Texas Health Resources, Medical City Fort Worth, and Baylor Scott & White All Saints. The city’s growing population ensures consistent demand for travel nurses across multiple specialties.

Whether you are heading to Fort Worth 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. Fort Worth 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

Fort Worth 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.

JPS Health Network — Tarrant County’s public hospital system centered around John Peter Smith Hospital, a Level I trauma center downtown. JPS serves a large underserved population and offers travel nurses extremely high-volume clinical experience.

Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth — The flagship Fort Worth hospital of Texas Health Resources, located in the medical district south of downtown. It is one of the largest hospitals in the region with comprehensive services.

Medical City Fort Worth — An HCA-affiliated hospital offering a wide range of services including cardiac care, orthopedics, and emergency services. It is a popular facility for travel nurse placements.

Cook Children’s Medical Center — One of the leading pediatric hospitals in the Southwest, located near the medical district. Pediatric travel nurses find excellent experience and strong support here.

Travel nurse demand in Fort Worth is generally strong, 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 winter flu season and summer months. 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 Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth.

Near Southside and Magnolia Avenue

Fort Worth’s trendiest neighborhood, Magnolia Avenue features locally owned restaurants, craft breweries, and shops in a walkable setting. It is close to the medical district and has become very popular with young professionals.

Pros: Walkable dining and entertainment, close to JPS and the medical district, vibrant community, affordable by DFW standards

Cons: Limited furnished rental options, parking can be tight near Magnolia Avenue on weekends, some blocks are still transitional

Sundance Square and Downtown

Fort Worth’s revitalized downtown is centered around Sundance Square, featuring restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural venues. Several apartment buildings cater to downtown residents.

Pros: Walkable entertainment district, cultural attractions, close to JPS Hospital, vibrant nightlife

Cons: Higher rents for Fort Worth, noisy on weekends, limited grocery options downtown

Camp Bowie and Cultural District

The area along Camp Bowie Boulevard near the Cultural District features local shops, restaurants, and easy access to Fort Worth’s world-class museums. It offers a more residential feel.

Pros: Close to museums and cultural attractions, established neighborhood character, reasonable rents, family-friendly

Cons: Car-dependent for most errands, farther from hospitals outside the medical district, some older housing stock

Alliance and North Fort Worth

The fast-growing Alliance corridor in far north Fort Worth offers newer apartment complexes, shopping, and proximity to Texas Health Alliance hospital.

Pros: New construction apartments, affordable rents, growing retail and dining options, safe suburban environment

Cons: Far from downtown and the medical district, car-dependent, suburban sprawl, limited walkability

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Fort Worth is car-dependent. The Trinity Metro bus system exists but is limited. If you are working in the DFW metroplex, confirm whether your hospital is in Fort Worth proper or somewhere in the vast suburban corridor between Fort Worth and Dallas. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Fort Worth through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Fort Worth 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 $1,300 per month
One-bedroom apartment: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,300 to $2,000 per month

Fort Worth offers excellent housing value with rents well below the DFW average. Furnished apartments are available, and the Near Southside area is the best option for short commutes to the medical district. Your stipend should comfortably cover housing with money left over.

Many travel nurses in Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Fort Worth that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

No state income tax — Texas has no state income tax, making Fort Worth assignments especially lucrative when combined with the city’s low cost of living.
Fort Worth is not Dallas — Fort Worth has its own identity and culture. The city has a genuine Western character with the Stockyards, world-class museums, and a friendlier, more laid-back atmosphere than its eastern neighbor.
Summer heat preparation — Summers are hot, often exceeding 100 degrees. Ensure your apartment has reliable AC and budget for higher electricity bills during peak months.
Explore the Cultural District — Fort Worth’s Cultural District is home to three world-class museums: the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. All offer free or low-cost admission.

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

Fort Worth has a below-average cost of living, making it one of the most affordable cities in the DFW metroplex. Groceries are at or below the national average. Gas is cheap by national standards. Dining out is very affordable, especially at local Tex-Mex and barbecue restaurants. The no state income tax benefit adds to the financial appeal.

When budgeting for your Fort Worth assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Shop at Kroger, Tom Thumb, or Aldi for affordable groceries. Fort Worth’s food scene punches above its weight, with excellent Tex-Mex, barbecue, and craft beer at reasonable prices. The Stockyards area and Magnolia Avenue have the best restaurant concentrations. 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. Fort Worth has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

Fort Worth Stockyards — Experience the twice-daily cattle drive, explore the honky-tonk bars, and soak in genuine cowboy culture in this historic district.
Kimbell Art Museum — Widely considered one of the finest small museums in the world, with free permanent collection admission and a stunning building designed by Louis Kahn.
Trinity River Trails — Over 40 miles of paved trails along the Trinity River for running, biking, and walking. The trail system connects many of the city’s parks and neighborhoods.
Sundance Square — Fort Worth’s downtown entertainment district with restaurants, bars, live music, and outdoor events in a beautifully designed urban setting.

Take full advantage of your time in Fort Worth. 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

Fort Worth, Texas offers travel nurses an affordable and culturally rich healthcare market with genuine Western character, world-class museums, and the financial benefits of no state income tax. With JPS Health Network, Texas Health Harris Methodist, and Cook Children’s 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 Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your Fort Worth assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.