Travel Nurse Housing in Galveston, Texas: Complete Guide
Galveston is a historic barrier island city on the Texas Gulf Coast, home to a major medical university and a Victorian-era downtown. Travel nurses find strong demand at the UTMB hospital system and enjoy no state income tax in a beachside college town.
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is a major academic health system on the island.
Whether you are heading to Galveston 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. Galveston 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
Galveston 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.
UTMB John Sealy Hospital — The flagship hospital of the University of Texas Medical Branch, a major academic medical center with Level I trauma designation.
UTMB Jennie Sealy Hospital — A newer state-of-the-art hospital on the UTMB campus.
Travel nurse demand in Galveston is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, OR, and specialty nursing being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during summer tourist season and hurricane 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 Galveston 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 Galveston.
East End Historic District
Victorian homes, tree-lined streets, and proximity to the UTMB campus.
Pros: Close to hospital, historic charm, walkable, character homes
Cons: Flood risk, older housing, some blocks need awareness
The Strand District
Galveston’s historic downtown with Victorian architecture, shops, and restaurants.
Pros: Historic architecture, restaurants, walkable, cultural events
Cons: Tourist crowds, flood risk, noise from nightlife
West End
Beach communities west of the seawall with more space.
Pros: Beach access, more space, quieter, newer development
Cons: Car-dependent, farther from hospital, fewer services, hurricane risk
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car-dependent. The island is compact but the causeway to the mainland can back up. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Galveston through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Galveston 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: $950 to $1,550 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,200 to $1,900 per month
Galveston is affordable with strong medical demand. Flood insurance is essential. Understand hurricane evacuation plans before signing a lease.
Many travel nurses in Galveston 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 Galveston, 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 Galveston
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Galveston 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 — Texas has no state income tax, maximizing your take-home pay.
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Hurricane risk is real — Galveston was devastated by a hurricane in 1900 and faces ongoing storm risk. Know the evacuation plan.
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UTMB is a major academic center — Working at an academic medical center offers exposure to diverse cases and teaching opportunities.
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Historic island charm — Galveston’s Victorian architecture and beach culture create a unique Texas destination.
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
Galveston’s cost of living is below the national average. Texas’s lack of state income tax adds to the financial advantage.
When budgeting for your Galveston assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Kroger and Walmart are available on the island. Houston’s grocery options are 45 minutes away via I-45. 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. Galveston has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Galveston Beaches and Seawall — 34 miles of beaches with the historic 10-mile seawall for walking, biking, and people-watching.
- The Strand Historic District — Victorian architecture, shops, restaurants, and the annual Dickens on the Strand festival.
- Moody Gardens — An educational complex with an aquarium, rainforest, and discovery pyramids.
- Space Center Houston — NASA’s Johnson Space Center is about 30 minutes north on I-45.
Take full advantage of your time in Galveston. 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
Galveston, Texas offers travel nurses a historic Texas barrier island with a major academic medical center, Gulf beaches, no state income tax, Victorian charm, and NASA’s Space Center just up the causeway. With UTMB John Sealy Hospital 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 Galveston, 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 Galveston assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Galveston assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.