Travel Nurse Housing in Fresno, California: Complete Guide

Fresno is the agricultural heart of California’s Central Valley, offering travel nurses an affordable California experience with proximity to Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia national parks. While it lacks the glamour of coastal California, Fresno’s healthcare market is strong and the cost of living is dramatically lower than LA or SF.

Fresno’s healthcare market is served by Community Medical Centers, Kaiser Permanente, and Saint Agnes Medical Center. As the largest city between LA and Sacramento, Fresno draws patients from a vast agricultural region.

Whether you are heading to Fresno 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. Fresno 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

Fresno 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.

Community Regional Medical Center — A Level I trauma center and the flagship of Community Medical Centers. It serves as the primary referral center for the entire Central Valley and offers high-volume, high-acuity experience.

Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center — A large Kaiser facility serving the Central Valley membership base with organized care delivery and consistent travel nurse demand.

Saint Agnes Medical Center — A Trinity Health hospital offering comprehensive community-based care with strong cardiac and surgical programs.

Valley Children’s Healthcare — Located in nearby Madera, this pediatric specialty hospital serves children throughout the Central Valley.

Travel nurse demand in Fresno is generally strong, 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 summer months and agricultural injury 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 Fresno 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 Fresno.

Tower District

Fresno’s most walkable and eclectic neighborhood centered around the historic Tower Theatre. It features diverse restaurants, antique shops, and a strong arts community.

Pros: Most walkable area in Fresno, diverse dining, arts community, affordable rents, historic character

Cons: Some blocks require safety awareness, limited nightlife compared to larger cities, parking can be tight near the theatre

Fig Garden and North Fresno

An established residential area with shopping, restaurants, and safe neighborhoods. It is popular with professionals and conveniently located near hospitals.

Pros: Safe residential area, good shopping and dining, close to hospitals, family-friendly

Cons: Suburban feel, car-dependent, limited walkability, higher rents for Fresno

Clovis

An adjacent city east of Fresno known as the Gateway to the Sierras with a charming Old Town, safe neighborhoods, and newer developments.

Pros: Safe community, Old Town Clovis charm, newer apartments, close to Sierra foothills

Cons: Farther from Fresno hospitals, car-dependent, suburban, limited nightlife

Downtown Fresno

Fresno’s downtown has seen some revitalization with restaurants and the Fulton Mall area, though it remains a work in progress.

Pros: Close to Community Regional, most affordable rents, growing dining scene, central location

Cons: Safety concerns on some blocks, limited amenities, still developing, not very walkable overall

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Fresno is car-dependent with limited public transit. The city’s grid layout makes navigation easy, and commutes are typically short at 10 to 20 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Fresno through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in Fresno 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 $1,200 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $950 to $1,500 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,200 to $1,800 per month

Fresno is one of the most affordable cities in California for housing. Your stipend will go much further here than in coastal cities. Furnished apartments are available, and the Tower District and North Fresno offer the best balance of affordability and quality.

Many travel nurses in Fresno 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 Fresno, CA 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 Fresno

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

1. Summer heat is intense — Fresno summers feature temperatures above 100 degrees for weeks on end. Central Valley heat is dry but relentless. Ensure working AC and budget for high electricity bills.

2. California wages with lower costs — Fresno travel nurse contracts often pay California-level wages while the cost of living is dramatically lower than the coast. This can be a very lucrative combination.

3. National park gateway — Yosemite National Park is about 90 minutes away, and Kings Canyon and Sequoia are even closer. Your days off can include some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

4. California income tax still applies — Even though Fresno is affordable, California’s high income tax still applies. Factor this into pay package evaluations.

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

Fresno has a below-average cost of living for California, with housing costs well below coastal markets. Groceries are at the national average. Gas follows California’s higher prices. Dining out is very affordable with excellent Mexican, Asian, and Central Valley farm-to-fork options.

When budgeting for your Fresno assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. WinCo Foods and FoodMaxx offer excellent grocery prices. Take advantage of the Central Valley’s agricultural abundance at local fruit stands and farmers markets. Fresno’s Mexican food is outstanding and very 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. Fresno has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Yosemite National Park — Just 90 minutes away, Yosemite offers world-class hiking, waterfalls, granite cliffs, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
• Kings Canyon and Sequoia — Even closer than Yosemite, these parks feature the world’s largest trees and stunning canyon scenery.
• Forestiere Underground Gardens — A unique underground network of rooms and gardens carved by hand by Sicilian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere. It is a one-of-a-kind Fresno attraction.
• Tower District Nightlife — Explore Fresno’s cultural hub with eclectic bars, restaurants, and live music venues centered around the historic Tower Theatre.

Take full advantage of your time in Fresno. 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

Fresno, California offers travel nurses an affordable California location with strong hospitals, California-level pay, and gateway access to some of the most magnificent national parks in the country. With Community Medical Centers, Kaiser Permanente, and Saint Agnes 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 Fresno, 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 Fresno assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

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