Travel Nurse Housing in Gainesville, Florida: Complete Guide
Gainesville is a college town in north-central Florida, home to the University of Florida and its prestigious health system. Travel nurses find no state income tax, a strong academic medical center, and the energy of a major university town.
Gainesville’s healthcare includes UF Health Shands Hospital and North Florida Regional Medical Center.
Whether you are heading to Gainesville 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. Gainesville 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
Gainesville 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.
UF Health Shands Hospital — A major academic medical center affiliated with the University of Florida College of Medicine. It is a Level I trauma center with nationally ranked programs.
North Florida Regional Medical Center — An HCA facility with comprehensive emergency and medical services.
UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital — A pediatric facility serving children across north-central Florida.
Travel nurse demand in Gainesville 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 UF football season and winter flu 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville.
Downtown Gainesville and University area
The walkable area around UF campus with restaurants, shops, and student energy.
Pros: Walkable, close to UF Health, dining options, student energy
Cons: Noise, limited parking, student-area atmosphere
Haile Village
A planned community southwest of Gainesville with a walkable village center.
Pros: Walkable village, safe, family-friendly, community events
Cons: 15-minute commute to hospitals, suburban, limited nightlife
Butler Plaza and Archer Road
The main commercial corridor with hospitals, shopping, and apartment complexes.
Pros: Close to hospitals, shopping access, moderate rents
Cons: Traffic on Archer Road, commercial feel, limited walkability
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Gainesville has an RTS bus system. The city is compact with commutes under 15 minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Gainesville through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Gainesville 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
Gainesville is affordable with no state income tax. UF Health experience is prestigious. Downtown area is popular with travel nurses.
Many travel nurses in Gainesville 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 Gainesville, 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 Gainesville
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Gainesville 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’s tax advantage with affordable college-town living.
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UF Health is prestigious — Working at UF Health Shands adds a major academic medical center to your resume.
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Gator football transforms the city — Swamp game days draw 90,000 fans. Plan your schedule around home games.
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Springs are nearby — North-central Florida has crystal-clear freshwater springs perfect for swimming and kayaking.
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
Gainesville has a below-average cost of living. Groceries are at national norms. Dining is affordable with a strong student-driven food scene.
When budgeting for your Gainesville assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix and Aldi are main grocery options. Gainesville’s diverse student-driven food scene offers great value. 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. Gainesville has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Ichetucknee Springs — One of Florida’s most beautiful springs with crystal-clear water perfect for tubing and swimming.
- Paynes Prairie Preserve — A 21,000-acre savanna with bison, wild horses, and hiking trails just south of Gainesville.
- Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park — A unique sinkhole with a miniature rainforest and waterfalls.
- UF Campus — Walk the beautiful University of Florida campus with its century oaks and Bat House at dusk.
Take full advantage of your time in Gainesville. 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
Gainesville, Florida offers travel nurses a college town with a prestigious academic medical center, no state income tax, affordable living, and Florida’s natural springs at your doorstep. With UF Health Shands Hospital and North Florida Regional 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 Gainesville, 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 Gainesville assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Gainesville assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.